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Christmas in Ethiopia – Holidays Around the World

This week’s holiday celebrations around the world features a country I know very little about, Ethiopia. Amber from Global Munchkins is sharing the fascinating history of one of the world’s oldest nations. The celebration may be quite different from a traditional western Christmas, but it extremely festive in its own way.

Christmas in Ethiopia Holidays Around the World-Kids Are A Trip

What is it like to celebrate Christmas in Ethiopia

Ethiopia holds a very special place in my heart since it is the birth country of my son Shea.  Since bringing him home in 2010 we have visited Ethiopia twice and each time I go I fall more in love with this amazing country.  Most people think of starving children and poverty when they think of Ethiopia.  Today I want to share with you the Ethiopia I know.  One steeped in rich tradition, culture and religion.  And, yes the birthplace of coffee too!

Christmas in Ethiopia Tukul-Kids Are A Trip
A traditional tukul in Ethiopia.
Photo credit: Global Munchkins

History of Ethiopia

Ethiopia is one of the oldest nations dating back to 2500 B.C.  They converted to Christianity in the early 4th century around 330 making them also one of the oldest Christian nations. Ethiopia still uses the old Julian calendar today, so they celebrate Christmas (known to them as Ganna) on January 7th. Ganna is followed by another celebration unique to Ethiopia known as Timkat.  Let’s take a closer look at both of these celebrations.

What is Ganna?

No, you won’t find any Christmas trees, twinkling lights or many gifts being given during Christmas time in Ethiopia.  Nevertheless, this does not reduce the enchantment and boundless spirituality involved in the Ganna celebrations. 

For Ethiopians this holiday time is marked by good food, church services, time spent with family and traditional games. Ganna begins by fasting the entire day prior to January 7th.  At dawn on the morning of, Ethiopians dress in all white usually donning a traditional shamma (a thin white cotton piece of cloth with brightly colored stripes across the ends) and head to church around 4am. Mass can last 3+ hours and there are no chairs, leaving Ethiopian men, women and children standing during the length of the service.

Christmas in Ethiopia Shamma-Kids Are A Trip
Women in traditional shamma.
Photo credit: Creative Commons

Church in Ethiopia

As people enter the church a single candle is handed to them to pay homage to the Holy Trinity.  The people proceed to walk around their church three times in a solemn procession, holding their lit candle. The perimeter represents the first circle. Then worshippers go to the second circle to stand during the service, with the men and boys separated from the women and girls. The center circle is the most important and holy place in the church; it is where the priest serves Holy Communion.

Christmas in Ethiopia Food-Kids Are A Trip
Photo credit: Global Munchkins

Games in Ethiopia 

Next men and boys gather to play a ball and stick game also known as ganna. It is a brutal, high injury potential game similar to field hockey but with less rules. Players use a curved stick and a round wooden ball. The goal is to try and knock a rur, or wooden ball, into a small hole in the ground. 

This game is anything but peaceful. But is played because according to local tradition, the biblical shepherds were playing this game while tending their flocks on the night that Jesus was born. It is also Ethiopian tradition that one of the wise men that visited Jesus was from Ethiopia.

Celebrating Timkat

Twelve days after Ganna, Ethiopians celebrate another festival known as Timkat.  Timkat is the most important Christian holiday in Ethiopia.  It commemorates the Epiphany, or the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River by John the Baptist.

Christmas in Ethiopia Timkat-Kids Are A Trip
A Timkat procession. Photo credit: Creative Commons

During Timkat children walk to church services in a procession. They wear colorful crowns and robes. Their grown-up counterparts wear a shamma and follow the priests, wearing their red and white robes and carrying beautiful embroidered fringed umbrellas, toward the water. The priests lead the people to the water, so they can bless them and cleanse them of their sins by splashing water onto them. It is a symbolic way for them to renew their baptism each year. During Timkat Ethiopian men play another sport called Yeferas Guks where they ride on horseback and through ceremonial lances at each other.  More food, coffee and dancing follows.

Christmas in Ethiopia Coffee-Kids Are A Trip
An Ethiopian coffee ceremony.
Photo credit: Global Munchkins

Ethiopians are some of the most warm and welcoming people I have ever met.  I have been invited to weddings, into homes and out to restaurants by complete strangers.  As much as I love my Christmas tree and giving gifts to loved ones I have to say it is somewhat inspiring to stand captivated surrounded by so many spiritually connected and passionate individuals on such a sacred holiday. I hope one day you get to visit Ethiopia to experience its beauty and hospitality.

What do you think about Christmas in Ethiopia? Have you ever experienced something like this?

Don’t miss our other holiday celebrations around the world: Germany, Sweden, Japan, London, India, and Mexico.

About the author: A mother to five through birth and adoption, self-made entrepreneur and now travel writer Amber Mamian keeps her hands pretty full. With her website Global Munchkins, she enjoys sharing her passion for travel by teaching other families how and where to travel with kids. Besides sharing her family’s adventures she also offers readers an inside peek at her life raising 5 kids in a multi-racial family as well as her thoughts on adoption. 

25 Comments

  1. Wow! This is very a unique celebration of Chritsmas, and it’s good to know as I like to learn other culture from different nations. Ethopia has very old history much longer than most of us recognise, and thanks for reminding us again about it through this post.

    1. I am glad you enjoyed the post. I found it fascinating too!

  2. This is amazing! I am loving reading all about how different countries celebrate the holidays. I was at epcot during Christmas three years ago, and it was so fun. Each country talked about how they celebrated. It’s so fascinating learning about other cultures. My step mom is Russian. They couldn’t celebrate Christmas due to USSR. So they celebrated on New Years. It’s very fascinating. I’ve adopted several of their traditions. Thank you so much for sharing!

    1. Wow, that’s so interesting. What a great way to make your own traditions. Would love to see Disney at the holidays!

  3. It’s fascinating learning about how different countries celebrate their Christmas. You have outstanding photos too x

    1. Thanks Claire. Photos are from Amber and Creative Commons. Both are fantastic!

  4. I have been to an Ethopian wedding before which was certainly an experience. I like the spirituality that the people have during ganna and once again and am enjoying your series.

    1. Ana, I bet that was quite an experience. I love seeing other traditions. Thank you for your kind words. I am glad you are enjoying the series.

  5. I love to see the different foods that people find important during the holidays. Food is one of my favorite things around the holidays, such special memories of my own childhood. I really love this series!

    1. Of course I have to ask Heather, what’s your favorite food to eat at the holidays?

  6. Such a beautiful glimpse of how others celebrate the Christmas holiday. I have heard before that Ethiopia is a beautiful country! Maybe we’ll get a chance to travel there one day!

    1. Roxanne, I must say Ethiopia was not on my radar before, but it certainly is now. It looks beautiful!

  7. It’s nice to learn about how other cultures celebrate Christmas. I hope I get a chance to visit Ethiopia.

  8. It is interesting isn’t it Di? My kids would think I was bonkers for suggesting something like that. Thanks for following along.

  9. I absolutely loved reading more about Ethiopian holiday celebrations. I haven’t know much about their celebrations up until now.

  10. Wow! Thanks for sharing these traditions. I’ve been to Ethiopia twice but never for Christmas and I adore the country!

    1. Wow! I’m impressed that you have been twice. It must be quite an experience. I definitely would love to visit.

  11. I have never experienced anything like this at all. I’ve heard so many incredible experiences from friends who have visited Ethiopia and I bet it would be amazing during Christmas time. So special! Loved your photos, too!

    1. Thanks Cathy! I owe all the photo credits to Amber!

  12. I have never experienced anything like this at all. I’ve heard so many incredible experiences from friends who have visited Ethiopia and I bet it would be amazing during Christmas time. So special! Loved the photos, too!

  13. This is just beautiful! Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful Christmas celebration and giving an insight into Ethiopia’s heartwarming and colorful culture. Happy Holidays!

    1. Thanks Donah! I appreciate your kind words. Happy holidays to you too!

  14. Brooklyn Kearse says:

    What are the crafts and symbols that they use during ganna celebratiom?

    1. According to Amber who wrote the article: I don’t know of any crafts or symbols besides the Ethiopian cross. It’s a little more artistic and could be fun to make. But, in Ethiopia, they do play a game also called gena, it is similar to field hockey, every Christmas day.

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