Celebrate Ethiopian Christmas on January 7th according to the ancient Julian calendar, with profound religious devotion, ancient liturgical traditions, and unique cultural practices distinct from Western Christmas celebrations. Known locally as Genna (also called Lidet), this festival commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ with all-night church services, pilgrimages, fasting, and distinctive traditions like the Genna hockey game. The celebrations are particularly magnificent in historical religious centers like Lalibela.
Celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ according to the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church calendar, which follows the ancient Julian calendar. The festival involves 43 days of fasting (Tsome Gahad or Advent) leading to Christmas, emphasizing spiritual preparation. The name Genna also refers to a traditional hockey-like game played on Christmas, symbolizing the shepherds' celebration upon hearing of Christ's birth.
January 6-8 for the full Christmas celebration experience
Lalibela, Amhara
Latitude: 12.0318, Longitude: 39.0417
Mark your calendar for this important cultural event.
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