Ethiopia

Image source: CIA: The World Factbook. Retrieved October 21, 2010, from http://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/et.html.

= __ETHIOPIA __ =

//Christmas Traditions //
The Ethiopian Christmas season consists of two major days: Ledet, or Gena, and Timket. Ledet/Gena is a more secular Christmas celebration and is celebrated on January 7. Ledet is celebrated after 43 days of fasting for the Advent season. Timket is the more orthodox holiday. This day is celebrated on January 20. Colorful processions and masses are part of both holidays. Boys often gather on Ledet to play a game similar to hockey called “Gena Chewata” or “Kile.” The game is played because Ethiopians believe the shepherds were playing this while attending to their flocks the night Jesus was born.

For more information about Christmas traditions in Ethiopia you can visit [|The Official Newsletter of Projects Abroad In Ethiopia] and [|Ethiopian Treasures].

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Video source: Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church Christmas Song TTEOTV4-4. (2009, January 6). Retrieved October 21, 2010, from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yu83TJAjfoI

Food
After mass for Ledet people go home and eat meat, or pool their money with other families to afford an animal. Sheep, chicken, and beef dinners are accompanied by the traditional Ethiopian bread, injera. Tella and tej are traditional brewed mead or honey wine drinks for both Ledet and Timket, and for Timket are served with a traditional bread called “himbas” or “ambasha.” A sheep is often slaughtered for Timket.



Image Source: Ethiopian ambasha bread. (2009). Retrieved October 21, 2010, from http://farsunmarket.com/food.html.

References Christmas in Ethiopia. (2010). Retrieved October 21, 2010, from http://www.projects-abroad.org/_downloads/destinations/newsletters/ethiopia/january-2010.pdf Teum Teklehaimanot. (2010). Retrieved October 21, 2010, from http://www.ethiopiantreasures.co.uk/pages/festival.htm

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