Ye Ganna Baal

A common way to refer to the Christmas holiday in Ethiopia is "ye ganna baal." The word Ganna is used interchangeably with Christmas to mean the birth of Christ. While Christmas day has come and gone here in the United States~ in Ethiopia, it is this week! Ethiopia still follows the ancient Julian calendar~as it is one of the oldest countries in Africa. Thus, they celebrate Christmas on January 7th each year. Here are some fun facts about this Ethiopian holiday:

The day before Ganna, people fast all day. The morning of Ganna (at 4am!), everyone goes to mass dressed in white. Most Ethiopians wear a traditional shamma~ a thin, white cotton wrap with brightly colored stripes across the bottom. I read somewhere that "urban Ethiopians" sometimes dress in white Western garb (whatever that means?!).

Modern churches are built in three concentric circles. During the Ganna mass, the choir assembles in the outer circle, and the priest serves Holy Communion in the center circle~the holiest space in the church. Each person who enters the church receives a candle and walks around the church three times in a solemn procession. Then, everyone gathers in the second circle to stand throughout the long mass.

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 wooden ball. Ethiopian men play another sport called yeferas guks. They ride on horseback and throw ceremonial lances at each other (yikes!). According to tradition, shepherds celebrated when they heard of Jesus' birth by playing such a game.

The Christmas meal, which is served January 7th, is preceded by major preparations that include the purchase and slaughter of an animal (typically a goat or cow). Traditional Ethiopian foods such as wat (a thick spicy stew that is so yummy!) and injera (the flat, sourdough bread) are also enjoyed during Ganna.

Twelve days after Ganna, on January 19th, Ethiopians begin the three-day celebration called Timkat, which commemorates the baptism of Christ. The children walk to church services in a procession wearing crowns and robes. Adults wear shammas, and the priests wear red and white robes and carry fringed umbrellas.

Church officials, called dabtaras, diligently study to learn the musical chants, or melekets, for the Timkat ceremony. A long, T-shaped prayer stick called a makamiya taps out the walking and also serves as a support for the priest during the long church service.

There are no Christmas trees in a traditional Ethiopian Christmas. However, Christmas trees and other decor have begun to spring up in the capital city, Addis Ababa, around this time.

Ganna and Timkat are not occasions for giving gifts in Ethiopia. If a child receives any gift at all, it is usually a small piece of clothing. Religious observance, feasting, and games are the focus of the season.


I hope you were able to experience Christmas this way...observing the true meaning, "feasting" with your family and friends, and enjoying the fellowship. Jeff and I certainly had a fantastic holiday, engaging in all of those things....including games....not necessarily field hockey and dangerous lance-throwing on horseback (as done in Ethiopia)...the Wii and and my mom's favorite board game of "Clue" provided plenty of entertainment for our family. :-)

Hopefully, Baby E will be here by next Christmas when Jeff and I will continue our holiday into January as we observe Ganna. Like many of you, this is my absolute favorite time of year, so extending the celebration will not be difficult :-)

"Melkin Yelidat Beaal" (Merry Christmas), Baby E!!!