The Christmas ambiance here in the capital is warm and lively, the hustle and bustle to buy goods and holiday materials was quite hasty at the Genna expo, the biggest exhibition in the country besides to the mini exhibitions on tenants across all neighborhoods across Addis Ababa.
Some people were seen here and there shopping Christmas ornaments, household materials and other holiday equipment for holiday, while others looking for a best angle to pose for a selfie in front of a Christmas trees and Santa clause posters. Ethiopian Christmas is one of the holiest of its festivals next to Easter.
Followers of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahdo Church, and some members of the oriental church, mark this day on January 7 late from the rest of the world. This is due to the fact that Ethiopia uses its very own Coptic Geez calendar known as Ethiopian calendar which is 8 years behind the Gregorian calendar. There is a 40-day period of fasting and prayer rituals before the celebration mostly by orthodox faithful.
On the eve of Genna believers gather in the church dressing all white to rejoice and celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ by lighting a candle made of wax along with melodious hymens which creates harmonious and delightful vibe. Christmas is also a time for families to reunite and celebrate with cultural food and drinks and be grateful for all that they have.
Long before it was completely replaced by western culture Genna or Lidet had its own aesthetic values and traditions that represent unique Ethiopian culture. For instance, ‘yegena abat ‘ Ethiopian version for Father of Christmas, ‘yegena chewta’ a hockey like game which was famous played by the youth during Genna holiday season.
Ethiopians have many cultures and values unique from the outside world which is in danger of vanishing through globalization and other factors. Even though, the current modern Christmas celebration tradition using Christmas tree is copied from westerns, some Ethiopians have adopt it like their very own. For Hanna Tesfaye, a Christmas holiday without Christmas tree is unthinkable,“I remember when we were kids, me and my friends used to be very excited during Christmas time. We would brought a pine tree, real tree or artificial to our houses and spend so much time and efforts in adorning it with glitters and shiny ornaments,” she said reminiscing her childhood memories.
“The same also goes for my kids as I am now shopping Christmas tree and ornaments to make them happy. For my kids, there is no holiday quite like Christmas. Though, Exchanging gifts is not common yet we are overwhelmed by the shopping, wrapping, and busywork that accompany the holiday,” she added.
On this year’s Genna exhibition and expo which was prepared in two places for the first time at Mesqel Square and Millennium hall, above 500 local and foreign traders and 500,000 shoppers were participated, according to the expo organizers. For Bamlaku Mesganaw, seeing Ethiopians being nostalgic celebrating Genna on westerner’s culture is overrated and annoying.
“I hate to see people losing grip of their own culture and holding on to western culture as their own,” he exclaimed. M e s g a n a w thinks one should at least know the stories of the western Christmas to embrace the culture. “For starters, some of our people doesn’t even know or give proper explanation on the Christmas tree, its symbolic presentation, or the story about Santa clause.”
“In order to accept and embrace one culture, one should have some knowledge and some sort of back ground,” he added. He further noted that some cultures look good on the ones who own them thus; advertising companies, the media and such expo organizers should take the responsibility to play their roles in putting up cultural promotion first or at least consider putting Ethiopian culture touch to such events.
Schumann Esther, a visitor from Germany appreciates the Hospitality and efforts on hotels and malls to set up a Christmas vibe for guests and visitors to make them feel like home. “I have attended some Christmas Eve and New Year party in Addis which I found great and enjoyable. I came here to attend Timket celebration festivities; I found the Christmas ambiance also aspiring.”
“I was somehow surprised to see the capitalist way of Christmas shopping is taking over also in countries like Ethiopia.” He also says: “I am exited Ethiopian Genna like an Ethiopian with Ethiopian cultural dishes. I have been flipping to books learn on how to make Doro stew which is my favorite dish. Dorowot seems to be the hardest but I will try it anyway,” he said excitedly.
“I am going to attend the Timket festival for the first time. I think it would be a different experience. Visitors would love it if people can keep their culture as so we could truly experience and appreciate unique Ethiopian culture,” Noted Schumann.
The Ethiopian Herald January 8/2019
BY FASICA BERHANE
