BY DARGIE KAHSAY
Ethiopia celebrated Christmas, the birth of Jesus Christ yesterday, January 07/2023. It was celebrated 12 days after the celebration of Christmas in Gregorian calendar. If any foreigner wants to feast his eyes on the colorful and Joe-dropping Ethiopian Christmas celebration, s/he can attend her/his respective country’s Christmas and then the colorful Ethiopian Genna, Christmas.
Christmas celebration in Lalibella is unique. It is among the most eye-catching and soul-uplifting holidays in Ethiopia. The place, Lalibella town, is a historic and the most tourist destination city with it’s over 11 rock-hewn churches. The city is among the world heritages registered by United Nations Economic, Science and Cultural organization (UNESCO). In this holy, historic and ancient town Christmas is marked in a unique and special -manner. Hundreds of thousands from home and abroad, if not millions, gather to attend the celebration.
Visiting this holy town during the fascinating celebration of Genna leaves unforgettable memory for life.
Priests chanting, singing during Beza Kulu ceremony
The above shot is taken during Genna celebration in Lalibella. In the picture, priests of Ethiopian Orthodox Church are seen wearing costumes common among priests of the same church. They are singing, dancing and chanting during the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.
The picture was taken at the Bete Girogis Church (St. George Church), one of the 11 magnificent rock-hewn churches. The 11 Rock-hewn churches of Lalibella were built 800 years ago. Since then, Ethiopian Christmas has celebrated annually and colorfully. Hundreds of thousands of Religious pilgrims attend the annual celebration.
The above picture was taken during the Beza Kulu ceremonial celebration of the day, which usually takes place in the morning of January 07, Tehsas 29. If you attend this ceremony, as it lends wings to your soul, you will find it hard to believe you are on earth. You feel as if you were in heaven. The priests have woven white taverns on their heads as it is true of priests of the Ethiopian Orthodox church. Similarly, they are seen wearing traditional clothes that are commonly used by the Church. In their hands, they grab crosier Mekuamiea, a stick that is helpful to magnify the spiritual dance. In addition, they use Sistrum Tsenatsil, an instrument used for religious songs and chants by the Orthodox Church.
As in the picture, the priests atop the rock are bending-down as they perform the chants and the songs together with the other priests at the bottom of the Church. Demonstrating unwavering devotion to God they sing taking turns allowing one’s soul shuttle between heaven and earth. This makes the celebration very colorful, magnificent and something special.
The above picture is, Bete Giorgis Church, among the 11 rock-hewn churches of Lalibella. The church is craved out of a rock by hewing it by hand almost 900 years ago. Specially seen in a bird’s eye view, the hand-made and rock-hewn church’s design portrays a 3-dimensional cross. The faithful and priests are seen wearing snow-white white costumes as depicted in the picture below. During Genna, not only around the church, but also the whole city of Lalibella is inundated by a flood of pilgrims and visitors.
During Christmas, especially during the Beza Kulu ceremony, an iconic special religious ceremony, unique in Lalibella, is held. Priests stage a mesmerizing ceremony. Half of them stand a top on the edge of the rock out of which the rock is hewn while others at the bottom of the rock near the footwork of the church. The two sing melodious religious songs by turns punctuating their songs with spiritual dances. Angels on the sky mankind on earth praise the almighty is what they want to show. Beza Kulu is a geez word which literally means “redemption of all”; it is a religious ceremony to glorify the Almighty God.
Hospitality in Lalibella
The people of Lalibella are the most humble, friendly and hospitable Ethiopians. They welcome all with sunny, happy and friendly face. During Genna holiday, with outstretched hands they welcome every guest that drops at Lalibella. The Lalibella youths are busy during such days to welcome, help and provide services for guests whether they come from abroad or from other parts of Ethiopia. They help to render one’s stay in Lalibella cozy.
As depicted the picture, during Genna week the youth are seen welcoming their guests by washing their legs emulating Christ’s example. Standing by the gates of the city and by providing water and food by waiting in the main gets of the town. The youth are shown washing the legs of their guests for both local and foreign visitors.
The congregants above are the Orthodox faithful gathered round the church .They sing in tune with the priest.
What a miss it not occasion that comes days before the Epiphany (Timeket) holiday.
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SUNDAY EDITION 8 JANUARY 2023
