One thing that's super important is keeping our
child's hertiage a part of their life long after they leave Ethipoia.
Last year was about the time we offically started the adoption process
and I remember that was the first time I'd heard the phrase "Melkam Gena" which means Merry Christmas in Ethiopia. Well, wanting to jump on the train, I went ahead and started researching my brains on what Christmas in Ethiopia might look like here's a bit of what I found (thank you TLC)...
"Ethiopia is one of the oldest
nations in Africa. It still follows the ancient Julian calendar, so Ethiopians
celebrate Christmas on January 7. The Ethiopian Orthodox Church's celebration
of Christ's birth is called Ganna. It is a day when families attend church.
The day before Ganna, people fast all
day. The next morning at dawn, everyone dresses in white. Most Ethiopians don a
traditional shamma, a thin, white cotton wrap with brightly colored stripes
across the ends. The shamma is worn somewhat like a toga. Urban Ethiopians
might put on white Western garb. Then everyone goes to the early mass at four
o'clock in the morning. In a celebration that takes place several days later,
the priests will dress in turbans and red and white robes as they carry
beautifully embroidered fringed umbrellas.
Around the time of Ganna, the men and
boys play a game that is also called ganna. It is somewhat like hockey, played
with a curved stick and a round wooden ball.
The foods enjoyed during the Christmas
season include wat, a thick, spicy stew of meat, vegetables, and sometimes eggs
as well. The wat is served from a beautifully decorated watertight basket onto
a "plate" of injera, which is flat sourdough bread. Pieces of injera
are used as an edible spoon to scoop up the wat.
Twelve days after Ganna, on January 19,
Ethiopians begin the three-day celebration called Timkat, which commemorates
the baptism of Christ. The children walk to church services in a procession.
They wear the crowns and robes of the church youth groups they belong to. The
grown-ups wear the shamma. The priests will now wear their red and white robes
and carry embroidered fringed umbrellas.
The music of Ethiopian instruments
makes the Timkat procession a very festive event. The sistrum is a percussion
instrument with tinkling metal disks. A long, T-shaped prayer stick called a
makamiya taps out the walking beat and also serves as a support for the priest
during the long church service that follows. Church officials called dabtaras
study hard to learn the musical chants, melekets, for the ceremony.
Ethiopian men play another sport called
yeferas guks. They ride on horseback and throw ceremonial lances at each other.
Ganna and Timkat are not occasions for
giving gifts in Ethiopia. If a child receives any gift at all, it is usually a
small gift of clothing. Religious observances, feasting, and games are the
focus of the season.”
Well, that was
a bit lengthy, but don’t you feel informed now?! I’m not 100% sure exactly how
much of these traditions we’ll keep going in our family. I’m sure they will change from year to year,
but I hope to aknoledge the holiday on January 7th, and hopefully
cook a traditional Ehtiopian meal (which may prove difficult since I don’t like
cooking…at all) but I plan to try.
For your listening pleasure, Ethiopian Christmas Music
What holiday
traditions do you plan to keep from your child’s birth country?
All you Congo families, ready for a Christmas Story from the Congo??? Stay tuned....
Love,
Steph
