The coincidence of the fasting seasons of christians and muslims—Lent and Iftar—in Ethiopia reminds me the traditional song first sung by legendary Bahiru Kegne and later Teddy Afro. The songs important lyrics roughly translated;
“ It is not short of wonder the fasting seasons of muslims and christians coincide (2x)
Maybe they have appointment to go to God (2x)
I wish God listen their prayers
As their coexistence is built on tolerance”
I believe Ethiopian holidays kept nation’s valuable treasures; wisdom, ways and history. They are manifestations of us as Ethiopians. During holidays, we try to wear costumes that we used to frequent in the good old days. Colorful traditional clothes or costumes adapted from each culture or with religious symbolism. During such an event, we dine in the pristine culinary ways arraying a variety of dishes, mouth-watering meal with a shared plate in circle. The clothing all the ceremony and assortments are unique and eye catching. Acts of charity, togetherness and tolerance are important aspects of celebrations.
During holidays people gather together. Even people who live far away make it to their hometown. They show their affections to one another. I remember my childhood friends who were muslims and how we shared eachothers celebration.
Holidays are seasons of beauty. Houses will be refubrished as much as the owner can or at least they will be cleaned. Different kinds of food dishes will be prepared. There is exchange of happy holyday wishes. There is exchange of invitations. And, music and spiritual songs creates the vibe begining from the eves of the holiday.
The church ceremony where church goers flock together with white linen cotton dress is impressive to watch. The church service is also unque as it is attended by many people especially when the holyday approaches.
The same is true to moseques’ scenes where muslims conduct their prayers. During the holyday and in the eve of holydays, prayers and Salah will be seen out in street attended by a large number of the believers.
It is customary to witness a bustling market during the eves of religious holydays. Celebrants buy various items necessary for the celebration. Chicken, Goat, Sheep or Bull. Other groceries or drinks will be
bought. Or, they will buy clothes; cultural dressings. In the houses of the muslims there might be sweets in addition to animals to be slaughtered. The commotion is a scene of attraction for tourists. It is a display of life for artists. Several artists have drawn inspiration for their artistic pieces; be it is music, painting or movies.
Holiday is a time when people get a small break from day to day life and give time to people around them. It is a time of interaction with neighbors and relatives who live afar. Hospitality and charity to the poor gets high as people will be generally happy and committed to live up to respective religous commands. Therefore, anyone could be part of the celebration. It is customary people from different religion or other background exchange a happy holiday messages. And in fact people of different religion can celebrate each others holiday together. Holidays in Ethiopia aren’t just happy moments. These are moments we cherish our culture and get prouder as people. They are also confirmation for wellbeing of people and the nation. Tigist Bekele’s song about holyday roughly translated below show how significant holidays are in Ethiopian households.
“When the holyday comes every year
We are joyfull and get prouder
When live in our country
Our lives are full
When Joy, happines prevail in this land
In our beloved land, our country
The local has unique taste
It has unique mystery
Holidays are moments where togetherness, tolerance and charity are preached. Through and during those auspice times, elders attempt to bequeath heritages to posterity. People show their love to eachother. As people get together, they also check on lives of one other. How is life treating them? Whether they got married, gave birth upto affairs of their country. This togetherness and the beauty of the ceremony leaves unforgettable memories in the minds of celebrants. As artists produce nostalgic songs conveying important messages such as the plight of migraants, the good old days and signifincane of love and peace in our lives, they find holidays to have this values all together. They use them as the tone, mood and settings of artistic productions. Kuku Sebsibe’s song “Yebereha Hager” is set to holiday time but represents nostalgic feelings of Ethiopian diaspora and describes the suffering of Ethiopian refugees.
I am a migrant to the desert country
Who doesn’t get sleep till I get back to my country
It is only when I get back I would get relief
When the rainy season departs and the sunny one comes
I would miss Addis Ababa,
It isn’t life to live out of one’s country
It is a success and blessing to celebrate holidays and for it Ethiopians bless God. “Eknuan adereseh/adereshe” a common phrase that is frequently heard during holiday times. Roughly translating Eknuan adereseh, it means glory to God who made you alive to see this day. The late Manalemosh Debo’s song is the reflection of this.
For a man God gave health
For a man God gave age
Holiday is joy
Holiday is a blessing
Happy the holiday has come
It is a Glory to God
The beautiful ceremony and its significance in the life of ordinary Ethiopains compelled artists to give special attention to holidays. Other forms of art such as painiting made successful attempts to preserve and promote this unique heritage. Legendry Maitre Artist World Laureate Afewerk’s “Meskel flower” and “Demera” are among notable works capturing holyday moods of Ethiopia.
The holidays have also inspired fashion. Designers are adapting beautiful cultural dress to this time. People with different cultural dressings have continued to make holydays ever beautiful and colorful.
So long as holidays blend religion and culture with beautiful outcome, art would be there to reflect back with emotional power, intensity and ideas. Ethiopian Artists will continue to get inspiration from such rich religious and cultural heirtages. And, as Art is a way of expression, artists will further preserve, promote and help beautify our way of life.
BY KFLEEYESUS ABEBE
The Ethiopian Herald 22 April 2022
