Meskel, a UNESCO registered intangible heritage, is among the major holidays that Ethiopia marks every year, in the month of September. It falls in the days that foreshadow the conclusion of the rainy season and the onset of the flowering season.
Though the celebration has a religious significance, particularly for the followers of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, the eve of the holiday, Demera, has far-reaching touristic implications. The glaring procession draws both domestic and foreign tourists from various walks of life.
The word Meskel is originally a Ge’ez word, meaning Cross, directly refers to the discovery of the cross on which Jesus Christ was crucified.
The festival was inscribed by UNESCO as intangible world heritage since 2013. It is also known for its admirable celebration with religious and cultural dramatic programs especially on its eve that sees a massive bonfire which is ablaze in the evening. If you come at Meskel square in Addis Ababa, a square named after the celebration, on Friday evening, you may enjoy the massive and yet colorful festivity.
Colorful and religiously dressed clergymen and Sunday School students chant religious songs and prayers and perform religious dances. The students also stage a street theatre-like performance that represents the finding of the true cross.
According to the believers of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, Empress Helena, Empress of the Roman Empire during the 4th century dreamed how to find the Cross and ordered her obedient Jerusalem peoples to collect and fire sizable bonfire. And then, she discovered the burial place of the true cross by observing the direction of the bonfire’s smoke.
Following the inscription of the festival by UNESCO, the inflow of tourists has increased significantly, as data show.
Speaking about this, acting Communication Director at the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Tariku Negash, told the Ethiopian Press Agency’s journalists that tourist influx has increased dramatically.
To him, the inscription has to do with the increment.
“The number of tourists participating at Meskel festival has surged from around 191, 000 in 2012 to over 384,000 in 2018,” he said.
Hence, the festivity’s economic significance is growing by leaps and bounds in addition to its important social impacts.
Ethiopia has a number of original and unique socio-cultural profiles, says Mekibib Gebremariam, Intangible Cultural Heritage Senior Expert at Addis Ababa City Culture and Tourism Bureau.
Since Ethiopia is a country which successfully defended colonialism, most of its age-old cultural and religious values are still preserved. And Meskel is a good showcase to this assertion, one can observe and generate learning from such ancient and authentic processions, according to him.
He also took the opportunity to announce that bazars, exhibitions, and other touristic based events will be held today and over the coming few days.
He said hotels, tour operators, and tourism bureau of the city as well as the organizers of the festival have completed preparations to meet the expectations of all visitors.
The Ethiopian Herald September 27, 2019
BY YESUF ENDRIS
