Meskel is a yearly religious holiday in the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, which commemorates the discovery of the True Cross by the Roman Empress Helena in the fourth century. Meskel occurs on the 17 Meskerem in the Ethiopian calendar (September 27, Gregorian calendar, or on 28 September once every four years). It is one of the milestone events in the Ethiopian culture and spiritual life.
Ethiopian Christians celebrate the eve of Meskel festival by setting big bonfire and the event is called Demera. People across the country set the bonfire near their homes. In Addis Ababa, Demera is held every year at Meskel Square. It is the most popular event among Addis Ababians, and visitors both from home and abroad.
This great festival is celebrated in all Christianity follower Ethiopians colorfully according to their cultures, lifestyles and traditions but the degree and focus of the festival varies from place to place.
In Guraghe, the festival is the most important annual event and it lasts for more than a week. This is a time for family reunion. Every family buys new clothes, especially for the children and there is a ritual exchange of gifts.
Head of Guraghe Zone Communication Office, Feleke Abate, told The Ethiopian Herald that the people of Guraghe begin preparations long before the actual event.
“These preparations include preparing kocho (bread made from false banana), cleaning the neighborhoods, saving money, buying bulls to divide the meat among themselves, buying clothes and other gifts to their relatives and families back home”, he said.
According to him, the Meskel festival has its own religious rules but the Guraghes celebrate the festival with different cultural manifestations.
He reiterated that in Gurage, Meskel festivities last for more than 15 days and each day has a separate name.
“The arrival of the Meskel festival is announced in early August by setting up small bonfire at each house and one massive bonfire around each neighbourhood”, he noted.
As stated in a brochure the Guraghe Zone Communication Office issued recently, mainly, the festival in Guraghe begins on 12th Meskerem in local calendar and it lasts for two weeks.
Meskerem 12 – Siera Yarjibue
This day is dedicated to clean household materials, the neighbourhood and the like.
Meskerem 13 – Weriet Yehena
On this day, all members of the family sit and plan activities they carry out with family members, friends and the like on the following day, at times staying up late at night.
Meskerem 14 – Ye Dengua Esat (Yifit) (children’s bonfire)
Children come together on this day and set fire on a bonfire they install in their respective places. And also, on this day, the family feasts by dining Gomen kitfo (made from boiled and minced cabbage with butter and spices) with kocho (made from false banana) in a yiwedere (Guraghe’s traditional dinning mat).
Meskerem 15 – Wehemiya (the day of happiness)
On this day, each household kills a fattened bull, and blesses the animal with the sign of the cross before they kill it. When an elder man kills the bull, he request God to save the people and provide prosperity for the people.
After the bull is killed, the meat is minced and mixed with butter and spices. This food is called kitfo which is most-favored food among the Guraghes. And also, there is chefuye (raw meat with butter).
Kitfo is served with Kocho, a kind of pancake made from false banana. And then there are traditional alcoholic drinks– tej and tela – and non-alcoholic drinks, qaribo, locally made drink made of pure honey. The Gurages use tremendous amount of honey, just for this holiday.
Meskerem 17 – Nik Bar (the main festival)
This day is celebrated as part and parcel of the national celebration. And also, the day is feasted with boiled meat of the bull’s hump—which is cooked at the oldest person’s house around the village.
Days after Meskerem 17 – Yejeweche (time to visit family/relatives)
It lasts for a week, and it is time for couples to visit their families/relatives by presenting special gifts.
Meskerem 17-Tikimit 05 – Adabina
The youths of Guraghe spent these days by involving in a traditional dancing, adorned with traditional costumes. The events create an opportunity to the youths to select a sweetheart. It lasts for two weeks. Often, the youths flock to marketplaces to dance and play with their friends.
Tikimit 05 – Mentiye
This is the final day of Meskel festival for the Guraghe people. They celebrate this day by dining kocho with kuanta kitfo, which is made from dried meat, butter, and spices.
Meskel festival is also used as an opportunity for family reunion, arranging marriages and reintegration into the rural community life, Feleke added.
The Ethiopian Herald September 27, 2019
BY ABDUREZAK MOHAMMED
