Celebration of Meskel, the founding of the True Cross, takes place annually on 27th September (28th on leap year). Demera, eve of Meskel, is also celebrated by the followers of Christianity across all corners of Ethiopia.
Although Meskel is celebrated in all parts of the country, it has special features in Gurage Zone of Southern Nations Nationalities and Peoples State (SNNP) and in Adigrat which is located 120 kilometers far from Mekelle, the capital of Tigrai State.
In these specific zones of Ethiopia, the Meskel festival has always been celebrated both as cultural and religious holidays. Anyone born in these areas should return to his/her birthplace from any corner of the country or abroad to celebrate Meskel festival with his/her families. For instance, people in Agame (Adigrat town and surrounding) are colorfully celebrating Meskel with their cultural and traditional activities.
Adigrat Town Culture and Tourism Office Head Berhan Kindeya told The Ethiopian Herald that the celebration of Meskel in Adigrat area is among the famous holidays of Ethiopia. According to her, although Meskel festival is a religious holiday, peoples in Adigrat area celebrate the festive with unique traditions and cultures.
Akokoy, Hoya-Hoye, Shig light ceremonies are taking place on the eve of Meskel around Adigrat, particularly on Qendaero Mountain, where long permanent cross is erected at the center of the town. Most of the partakers demonstrate cultural dressings as well as cultural food provision ceremony during Meskel.
According to Berhan, the people in Adigrat have erected a 22 meters long cross on Mount Qendaero near the town, the place where youths demonstrate hoya-hoye song followed by the Shig light ceremony.
In addition, Porridge, Tihlo, Tibs, Gezm and Tejj are also among the traditional delicious food provided by the society during Meskel celebration in most parts of Eastern Zone of Tigrai, she stated.
Porridge is cooked by women and provided to men during the Akokoye program; and similarly Tibs is also prepared by men and provided to women during the program. She also said that during the Akokye ceremony, most of the residents of the town associates with the rural families, mainly called as family festival.
Tigrai Culture and Tourism Bureau Public Relations Office Coordinator, Ethiopia Hiluf also told The Ethiopian Herald that although Meskel is a religious festival in all parts of Ethiopia it has unique forms in Adigrat area and Mekelle Choma Mountain.
Ethiopia said that the Adigrat and the surrounding community including Erob celebrate Meskel with ceremonial activities in towns and rural areas. Anyone originated from Adigrat and the surrounding has returned from abroad or any corner of the country to their home town to join the celebration of Meskel festival.
Meskel in Adigrat has become a kind of carnival and attracts many domestic and international tourists. The traditional food like Tihlo, Giezim (well-known traditional delicious food of Erob), and the traditional alcoholic drink Tejj are common among Agame, Adigrat and its surrounding area.
Following this, since the festival is uniquely celebrated in Adigrat area, the State Council decided to host the Meskel festival by adding some additional investments so as to introduce such aged-old festivals to the world, the coordinator said.
According to Berhan, over 100,000 guests, Eritrean citizens, and local and foreign tourists attended the celebration during the 2018 Meskel festival held in Adigrat. Compared from the past years, more visiting people, guests and tourists are expected in this year’s Meskel celebration, she added.
According to her, since the number of incoming guests and tourists is over the city’s hospitality capacity, the number of hotels and guest houses are increasing from year to year. Since it is common that most guests stay together with the society, the people are now ready to welcome and host guests in their home.
Berhan also added that since Adigrat is near to Eritrea, many Eritreans from nearest village may join the celebration of Meskel in Adigrat.
Apart from the common traditional and religious celebrations of Meskel Festival in Adigrat, street run, music events, sports, cultural shows, cultural dressing shows, exhibitions and bazars are parts of the 2019 Meskel celebrations, Berhan stated.
According to Berhan, the ancient Rock Hewn-churches, the Italian funeral place, the palace used by former leaders in Adigrat town, and Gol’a School (the first school where modern education was started) are also among the major tourist destinations in Adigrat.
The Ethiopian Herald September 28, 2019
BY DARGIE KAHSAY
