14/12/2023
The upcoming holiday Genna (ገና) ( )
One of Ethiopia's most impressive religious celebrations is Ethiopian Christmas, also known as Genna or Ledet, which is observed on the seventh of January. In addition to church services, Genna is celebrated in rural Ethiopia with horse racing, the game "Yegena Chaweta," which is a popular variation of hockey, and traditional folk dancing.
Lalibela celebrates Genna in vibrant fashion because King Lalibela was born on the same day as Jesus Christ. Many pilgrims travel to Lalibela to take part in this extraordinary festival. It is a once-in-a-lifetime experience to watch the priests dance while wearing traditional church robes, holding sistrum and prayer sticks, and chanting the birth-hymns of Jesus.
Ethiopian Christmas, the joy of giving and sharing, extends beyond religious beliefs and spreads the spirit of peace on earth and goodwill to all mankind throughout the world.