Borkena
Toronto – Ethiopians are celebrating Ledet, the birth of Jesus Christ. Ethiopians are celebrating it in the traditions of Orthodox Christians the World over.
The celebration is dominated by religious ceremonies. Followers of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church practice Nativity fasting for several weeks leading to the celebration.
Devoted ones make pilgrimage to Lalibela, north Ethiopia, where the religious celebration attracts millions of faithful. It also attracts tens of thousands of tourists. Processions and chants will be followed after night long rituals and mass.
After the church program, the celebration is mostly cultural. Feasting was a big part of it but the rise in the cost of living made it difficult for most Ethiopians to indulge in the way they used to celebrate it.
Yegena Chewata – a field Hockey type of game – used to be part of the cultural celebration. It has been practices for ages but there appears to be no adequate literature of the origin of the game.
Christmas has its own cultural song and “yegena chewata” is part of it. ” Asina Bel Asina Genaye, Asina bel, Begena Chewata Aykotum Geta”
The cultural aspect is now fading away for several reasons including ethnic politics. However, the religious celebration seems to be still strong.
As the Holiday is celebrated, many parts of the country are still at war – particularly the Amhara region. Religious leaders have conveyed a Christmas message emphasizing the need for peace. His Holiness Abune Mathias, Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, called for a prayer for peace as we celebrate the holiday.
Catholic and Protestant Church leaders on their part conveyed best wishes for the holiday and emphasized on the need for peace.
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