BY TEWODROS KASSA
Different historical evidences show that celebrating the Meskel festival in Ethiopia traced back to the 4th century consequent to the discovery of the True Cross that Jesus was crucified on by Queen Helena, (also known as Elleni), mother of the Roman Emperor King Constantine.
The burning of a large bonfire, which is called Demera and performed on the eve of the Meskel Holiday, has a protracted history and diversified religious and cultural ceremonial processes. Queen Elleni has exerted utmost energy to find the True Cross. Owing to this, the Queen’s name is always mentioned in relation to the finding of the True Cross and Demera festivals among the Christian religion followers.
According to documents, the exploration of the Cross was started by lighting a torch, bonfire and burning incense. The Queen fired more than 10 quintals of incense together with the torch. Thus, the smoke of the incense and the torch rose high up to the sky and came down to the ground in a manner hinting at the site where the cross was buried. Following the sign of the smoke, the excavation of the site had begun. At that time, the Queen hugely mobilized the public in digging the site. And Ethiopians, in commemoration of Queen Elleni and to celebrate the Finding of the True Cross, they mark Meskel Festival warmly and colorfully through burning huge bonfire, chanting hymns and prayers; singing religious songs and performing spiritual ceremonial dances in front of the bonfire. What is more, they stage the dramatic excavation activities of the location at that time.
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) indicated that the Meskel celebration is among the huge gathering of people on the streets of Addis Ababa. The Meskel Festival is one of the heritages of Ethiopia inscribed in the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2013.
It stated that the celebrations begin with the building of the Demera bonfire at Meskel Square in Addis Ababa – a conical pyre of poles surrounded by bundles of branches and torches decorated with green grass. Meskel is celebrated nationwide regardless of age, gender, language or ethnicity. Participants are believed to receive spiritual rewards from the celebration and blessings from the Holy Cross.
Last Monday, the celebration of Meskel Demera, was celebrated in Addis Ababa in the presence of Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church, His Holiness Abune Mathias, President Sahlework Zewde, priests, deacons, Sunday school students, high government officials, and diplomatic communities residing in Addis Ababa as well as hundreds of thousands of people from diverse communities. The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church priests, deacons, choir and worshipers from different churches presented an elaborated procession to the Demera place singing about the power of the Cross and its findings.
In his message, Patriarch Abune Mathias also urged Christians to seek peace and reconciliation so as to bring an end to the conflict. Also, the faithful need to observe Meskel by extending support to elders, orphans and people affected by the current situation of the country.
Addis Ababa Mayor Adanech Abiebie said for her part that the Meskel Demera is a colorful holiday that brings Ethiopians from all walks of life towards love and harmony. She called on the public to shun hatred and observe peace, love and unity while observing the holiday.
“The Founding of the True Cross symbolizes the reinvigoration of Ethiopia which is tackling all the challenges posed by its enemies,” the Mayor noted, adding that celebrating Ethiopians who sacrificed their lives to safeguard the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the nation is crucial.
Members of the clergy, students of the Sunday schools and a large number of faithful, sang songs and presented religious performances commemorating the Finding of the Holy Cross in the event.
The celebration culminated after the Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church light the bonfire. The big bonfire at the center of the Square symbolizes the smoke of incense burned by Queen Helena and indicates the exact place of the whereabouts of the Holy Cross had been buried for centuries.
International tourists who have attended the celebration in Meskel Square called upon other tourists to discover the colourful Ethiopian Meskel celebration that takes place annually. Belgian tourist Anna Dersie stated that she has discovered the explanation of some interest groups and ‘experts’ about Ethiopia’s current situation is untrue.
“The opinion or the presentation of peace and stability of Ethiopia by some parties is controversial. I feel more secure here than in Brussels because there is little criminality there. Addis is totally secure. We have to speak and explain about it to people because sometimes their imagination is not true. I hope they will realize the reality through time.”
As to her, all visitors after coming here will be really happy and ready to come back because they really trust the country’s security apparatus. She called on fellow tourists to come and enjoy a hospitable country with rich cultures.
The other Belgian tourist Auzber expressed her admiration in the uniqueness of Ethiopia’s Meskel and Demera festivities, pointing out that it is her first time in Addis, “We don’t have such festivals in our country in Europe. The traditional culture show of the people is what we don’t do in our countries. So, the celebration of Meskel, the Founding of the True Cross, is very interesting. I saw it for the first time in Ethiopia. I saw a lot of people with diverse backgrounds and I got a lot of experience in this festivity.”
Commenting on the peace of the country, she said until now, the security is dependable and also the people are so friendly. “Generally, I see there is no problem.” “The huge gathering from the followers of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church is amazing. My best advice for fellow tourists is to just come and witness by themselves. I am totally sure; they will be hundred percent happy and love it.”
Owing to the vibrancy of religious and cultural festivities and Ethiopia’s much-acclaimed hospitality, this Meskel period is the best season for tourists to come and visit Ethiopia, Director for UNESCO International Institute for Capacity Building in Africa (IICBA) said.
Approached by The Ethiopian Herald, the Director Yumiko Yokozeki (Ph.D) stated that Ethiopia’s natural and historical tourist attractions coupled with the society’s culture of hospitality makes the country a right place to visit. “I request tourists across the globe to come and visit Ethiopia. The country is a tourist-friendly destination and Meskel festivity is indeed very colourful and adorable.”
Noting she has been in Ethiopia for seven years, Yokozeki further highlighted that, Meskel is unique as it blends religious and cultural values. It has such an important religious message of the Finding of the True Cross. “Not only a special festival, but it is also the best season to come and enjoy in Ethiopia. I hope we, who are living in Ethiopia, are expected to tell our friends and families to come and visit the country as it has various cultural and religious festivals and ceremonies at different times.”
Asto her, the UNESCO wants to strengthen conservation activities of tourism and cultural heritages in Ethiopia and solidify its partnership with the country in promoting the latter’s religious and cultural festivals to the world.
The Ethiopian Herald September 30/2022
