26/09/2024
The Meskel Festival is one of the most significant religious celebrations in Ethiopia, observed primarily by the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. It commemorates the discovery of the True Cross, the cross upon which Jesus Christ was crucified, by Saint Helena, the mother of Roman Emperor Constantine the Great, in the 4th century.
Date and Duration:
• Meskel is celebrated on September 27 (or 28 during leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, corresponding to Mäggabit 17 in the Ethiopian calendar.
Key Aspects of the Festival:
1. Demera (Bonfire Ceremony):
• The highlight of the festival is the Demera, a massive bonfire lit in public squares. According to tradition, Saint Helena had a dream in which she was told to light a bonfire, and the smoke would guide her to the location of the True Cross.
• In Ethiopia, bonfires are lit as a symbolic reenactment of this event. The largest Demera takes place at Meskel Square in Addis Ababa, attended by tens of thousands, including religious leaders and government officials.
2. Religious and Cultural Significance:
• Meskel has both religious and cultural importance. For the faithful, it is a day of prayer and celebration of the discovery of the Cross, which is central to Christian belief.
• The festival also marks the end of the rainy season and the beginning of spring in Ethiopia, symbolizing renewal and hope.
• Participants wear traditional white garments (often Netela or Gabi) and gather for communal prayers, processions, and hymns.
3. Celebrations Across Ethiopia:
• While Addis Ababa hosts the grandest celebration, Meskel is celebrated across the country. In regions like Gondar, Axum, and Lalibela, the festivities carry their own local customs.
• In rural areas, people light smaller Demeras in their communities, and traditional songs and dances often accompany the bonfires.
4. UNESCO Recognition:
• The Meskel Festival was inscribed on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list in 2013, highlighting its deep-rooted significance in Ethiopian culture and history.
5. Food and Traditions:
• After the bonfire ceremony, it is common for families and communities to gather and share traditional Ethiopian meals, including injera and various stews. In some regions, there is also a coffee ceremony, which is an important part of Ethiopian hospitality.
Symbolism:
• The burning of the Demera is deeply symbolic, representing not only the guidance of Saint Helena to the True Cross but also the triumph of light over darkness and the renewal of faith. The direction of the smoke is often interpreted as a divine message for the coming year, with people reading into its patterns for predictions.