As the country follows its own calendar, Ethiopians celebrate ‘Genna’, the birth of Jesus Christ , on the 7th of January, almost two weeks after the rest of the world mark the day.Members of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church passes through special 43 fasting days called ‘TseomeNebiyat’ the fast of the prophets, before the actual day of the Christmas. During the fasting days followers abstain from meat and dairy,
making them totally vegetarian.In the eve of Gena, the faithful, dressing white traditional cloths, gathered at churches for the mass church services that start after midnight and lasts in the morning of Christmas day.The ceremony of the mass service is similar in every Orthodox Church except at the rock hewn churches of Lalibela, where the celebration is unique.The mass held in Lalibela for Christmas is unique. Dozens of priest, dressed with white traditional clothes and turbans, and long crosses with their hands, form a circle at the top and bottom of the monolithic churches. They sing a spiritual song called “BazaKuluLealem, Yom Tewelede” in Geaz language, which means “the savoir of the world has born today” using “Kebero”, which is similar to drum. The celebration in Lalibela is unique because of the King himself was born at the same day with Jesus as well as he devoted himself for the lord. The spirituality, originality, and historicity of the overall ceremony in Lalibela fill one’s heart with a joy of wonder, admire and respect, not only the followers of the church but also visitors. That is why; thousands of tourists dare to join the faithful in the Christmas celebration.
After the mass service, people go home to break the fast with the meat of chicken or lamb or beef accompanied with injera and the traditional drinks (i.e. tella or tej). Likewise other holidays, Genna has served as an event for a get together for families and neighbors. The day-long celebration is blessed with white traditional clothes called ‘yebahil libs’ made of cotton, traditional dishes and homemade alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks along with the well-known coffee ceremony makes the day attractive. The day long celebrations that nurture coexistence and love are among the unique cultures of Ethiopians that lasted for centuries.