Ethiopian Holidays Discussed In Chronological Order

There are more than 14 Public holidays celebrated every year in Ethiopia, and in this article I have made a detailed discussion about each of these Holidays. 

If you’d like to read about only one of these holidays, press on the name of the holiday you’d like to read about from the table below and you’ll be taken to that specific part in this article.

	Holiday Name	Day in Ethiopian calendar	Day in Gregorian calendar
1	Enkutatash (እንቁጣጣሽ) - Ethiopian new year	Meskerem 1	September 11 (12th   if it’s a leap year)
2	Meskel(መስቀል) – The finding of the true   cross	Meskerem 16 and 17	September 26 and   27
3	Irreecha – Oromo people’s thanks giving	The Irreecha   festival is celebrated every year at the beginning of Birraa (Spring) – That   is at the end of September or early october.
4	Mawlid holiday	It falls on the   12th day of Rabi-ul-Awwal (3rd month) in the Islamic calendar,   which is based on the moon (lunar calendar); so it does not always fall on   the same Gregorian or Ethiopian day.
5	Genna(ገና) – Ethiopian Christmas	Tahsas 29 / Tahsas   28 if it’s a leap year	January 7
6	Timket (ጥምቀት) - Epiphany	Tir 11	January 19
7	Adwa victory	Yekatit 23	March 2
8	Siklet (ስቅለት) – Good Friday	Is on a Friday in   April or early May, but the exact date is determined by the Ethiopian   Orthodox Church
9	Fasika (ፋሲካ) – Ethiopian Easter	Is on the Sunday   that comes following Siklet. (Above)
10	Eid Al-Fitr	It falls on the   first day of Shawwal (10th month) in the Islamic calendar, which   is based on the moon (lunar calendar); so it does not always fall on the same   Gregorian or Ethiopian day.
11	Labour day (የላባደሮች ቀን)	Miyaziya 23	May 1
12	Patriots' Victory Day (የአርበኞች የድል ቀን)	Miyaziya 27	May 5
13	Eid Al-Adha Arefa	It falls on the 10th   day of Dhu al-Hijja (12th month) in the Islamic calendar, which is based on the moon (lunar calendar); so it does not always fall on the same   Gregorian or Ethiopian day.
14	Fichchee Chambalala – Sidaamo people’s new   year	No fixed date –   determined by Sidama clan’s Astrologers lunar calendar;
15	Ashenda	between August 16th and 26th each year;

This table includes a list of all Ethiopian holidays and their celebration days in Gregorian and Ethiopian calendar.

Enkutatash (እንቁጣጣሽ) – Ethiopian New Year

The Ethiopian calendar is composed of 13 months. 12 of which are 30 days sharp, except for the last (13th) month which is only 5 days long, 6 if it’s a leap year. On the Gregorian calendar the Ethiopian New Year (Enkutatash) is on September 11th on normal years and on the 12th if it’s a leap year. This is discussed in a little bit more detail in my other article titled – 8 Interesting Facts about Ethiopia. Enkutatash is celebrated marking the date Queen Sheba (Nigist Makda) returned from visiting King Solomon in 980 BC. Her people and attendants welcomed her with plenty of Jewelry as gift. One of the alternative translations for the word Jewelry in Amharic language is እንቁ (Enku), hence the name “Enkutatash”. Adey Abeba (አደይ አበባ) an indigenous flower of Ethiopia that only blooms when September is near indicates that the new year is approaching, because of this it is a regarded as a symbol of hope, peace and harmony by the Ethiopian people.

How is Enkutatash celebrated?

We have the typical fireworks along with cannon firing at midnight to mark the beginning of the New Year, like most other countries throughout the world. But the Ethiopian New Year celebration has its own unique practices, one of which is a group of girls going house to house singing “Abebayehosh”.

Abebayehosh (አበባየሆሽ) is an Ethiopian New Year’s song, sung by a group of girls at dawn of the New Year’s Day. The girls go around houses in their neighborhood carrying Adey Abeba, a few green grasses, and a drum to accompany their singing. While one girl from the group leads them by saying the Abebayehosh lyric, the rest respond to her by chanting “Lemlem”. To indicate their appreciation to the girls people gift them with Ethiopian bread called Dfo Dabo (ድፎ ዳቦ) and also money. Another unique New Year’s Day practice in Ethiopia is young boys go to houses in their neighborhood as well as relatives’ handing drawings of Adey Abeba with captions of good wishes. Just like the girls singing Abebayehosh the boys would also be gifted with tokens of appreciation.
Family members gather to feast together on Doro Wot and other delicious Ethiopian foods, and like almost like all the other Ethiopian holidays relatives and neighbors spend the day at the parents’ or the oldest person’s house. Paying a visit to those in prison and in hospitals is also a common and expected practice.

Meskel (መስቀል) – The finding of the True Cross

Meskel is a Christian holiday celebrated in the Ethiopian and Eritrean Orthodox churches to commemorate the fourth-century finding of the True Cross by the Roman Queen Eleni (Saint Helena). Meskel is a minor Christian feast, according to the papacy and much of the Vatican-centered Catholic faith, and is only observed by the most devoted conservatives. This is not the situation in Ethiopia, where the country grinds to a halt during the holiday.

How is Meskel celebrated?

Early evening of September 26th (Meskerem 16th), Bonfire (ደመራ - Demera) is burned to commemorate how Queen Eleni found the location where the true cross of Jesus Christ was buried led by smoke from a bonfire. This is done almost in every city and neighborhood in the country. 

In 2013 the Meskel Demera ceremony was registered on the Intangible Cultural Heritage list by UNESCO. Thousands of tourists come to Ethiopia to experience this Beautiful ceremony. People burn their town’s or city’s Demera at early evening and go back home to burn their neighborhood’s Demera erected by local young men. The Meskel Demera ceremony is the most beautiful and spectacular holiday celebration in the country. 

Youth from the Ethiopian Orthodox Church put on a show intended to teach the history associated with the holiday. Theatrical dramas and other fine as well as performed art works are parts of the holiday. March bands also play different Ethiopian Orthodox Religion songs. On September 27th (Meskerem 17th), schools and works are closed as people will stay at their home celebrating the holiday with their families and relatives.

Irreecha - Oromo people's thanks giving

At the end of every winter, the Oromo people of Ethiopia gather to commemorate the ending of what is traditionally viewed as a tough season and the beginning of a bountiful new season with a thanksgiving feast called Irreecha. 

The Oromo people thank God (Waaqa) at the beginning of spring (Birraa) after a long dark rainy winter season which is between July to September each year. Winter is a terrible and tough season for the Oromo people because the rains frequently wreak havoc on their town, causing rivers to overflow and drowning people, cattle, and crops. Because the rivers and floods make it nearly difficult to commute families can't get together on a regular basis in the winter. 

Unfortunately, some people face famine during this season since their supplies from the beginning of the year have run out and the fresh crops have not yet matured. Then there's the disease outbreak like Malaria, caused by stagnant water and puddles from the continuous rains. 

This is not to say that the Oromo despise winter or despise rain, because there are times when the seasons shift and rain is scant. They then beg Waaqa for rain. Irreecha is celebrated not just to thank God, but also to usher in a new season of rich harvest following the dark and wet winter season. Irreecha brings families, friends, relatives, and the entire community together to socialize. It is a moment to appreciate the sense of togetherness while also welcoming the season of abundant harvest, also known as Biiraa or spring.

How is Irreecha celebrated?

Irreecha celebrations are traditionally hosted in the city of Bishoftu, Oromia, some 50 kilometers southeast of Addis Abeba, Ethiopia. But since 2019 Irreecha is being celebrated in Addis Ababa. Spiritual leaders and the Abbaa Malkaas (lineal chiefs of the territories) are at the apex of the thanksgiving-Irreechaa hierarchies. Spiritual leaders provide religious instructions and recommendations regarding the location and timing of rituals. The Abbaa Malkaas and Abbaa Gadaas play important parts in the Irreecha ritual event. 

They lead the participating communities who follow them, bearing bunches of green straw and daisies in their hands and singing songs of praise, blessing, and prayer to Waaqa. They direct what the participants should say during the praise and prayer. The guys, dressed in white glittering cotton garments and turbans, carry spears and a specific stick identified by the Gada system. During the Irreechaa ritual, women sing 'Maariyoo... Maareyoo... signifying “your mercy on us” and are decked out in Caaccuu (colorful beads), traditional garments, and Siiqqee (stick traditionally handled by oromo women). 

Men chant the Irreechaa song with ladies while holding a traditional stick called haroresa. After soaking the fresh grass and flowers in the lake water and splashing the participants, the Abbaa Malkaa, Abbaa Gaddaas, and Qaallus bless the participants and make speeches on the newly declared rules and regulations at the Gada handing over ceremony or assist in recalling the pre-existing laws. 

At the conclusion of the Irreechaa Malkaa celebration, all participants chant "Irreechoo yaa Irreecha Malkaa Roobaa fi Nagaa......" to express gratitude to the river for rain and tranquility. Everyone goes home singing this. In October of 2016, Irreecha was registered on the UNESCO list of Intangible Cultural Heritages.

Mawlid holiday

This day, also known as 'Milad un Nabi,' is commemorated as a public holiday in many nations with a large Muslim population since it honors the birth anniversary of Islam's founder and the proclaimer of the Quran Prophet Muhammad. Shias celebrate the event on the 17th of the month, whereas Sunnis celebrate it on the 12th. 

Some Sunni Islam sects, such as Wahhabi and Salafi, do not observe Mawlid, hence it is not a holiday in some countries, such as Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Because the Islamic calendar is based on lunar cycles, the date in the Gregorian and Ethiopian calendars will differ from year to year. And because the Islamic calendar is around 11 days shorter than the Gregorian calendar, this holiday may come twice in some years.

How is Mawlid celebrated in Ethiopia?

Just like Millions of Muslims around the world, Ethiopians also celebrate Mawlid with religious meetings, food sharing and banquets, prayer sessions, festivals, marches, and educational events centered on the Prophet's life and values. The Quran, Islam's Holy Scripture, was revealed to Prophet Muhammad as the ultimate messenger.

Genna (ገና) – Ethiopian Christmas

Genna (Amharic word for Christmas) is an important Ethiopian holiday which celebrates the anniversary of the birth of Jesus Christ. It is celebrated on January 7th, following a 43 days of fasting by Ethiopian Orthodox region followers. This fasting time is known by the names “Ye Genna Tsom” (የገና ጾም - Meaning, Christmas’ fast), and “Tsome Nebiyat” (ጾመ ነቢያት -meaning - Prophets’ fast). 

And it is devoted to remember the Fasting and praying done by devoted prophets while waiting for the prophecy of the birth of Jesus Christ to come to true. Christmas is celebrated on January 7th in Ethiopia, as it is in many Orthodox churches around the world. Genna is on the 29th day of the month of Tahsas (4th month in Ethiopian calendar), and on the 28th if it a leap year.

How is Genna celebrated?

Followers the Ethiopian Orthodox Church spend most of the eve-night at Church. And the on Genna day, which is January 7th, people get together to celebrate the birth of Christ at their homes. Exchanging gifts and postcards, although learned from western cultures, is also a common practice in Ethiopia. 

According to one Ethiopian tale, when the shepherds in the Christmas story learned of Jesus' birth, they celebrated with an impromptu game of hockey using their wooden staffs. As a result, on Christmas Day, mostly boys and young men play a hockey-like game using a curved wooden stick and ball. 

Yágenna Chewata (የገና ጫወታ - meaning, Christmas’ Game), or Genna for short, is the name of the game. Ethiopians don’t have Santa Clause for Christmas but “Yegena Abat” (የገና አባት, meaning – Christmas’ Father), who is according to the tale was present when the shepherds played Yegenna Chawata. Yegena Abat is a legendary character in Ethiopian Christmas. He is an old person wearing a sheep skin as on his shoulders and typically holding a Fly whisk. Instead of Gifts he gives the youth wise advice.

Timket (ጥምቀት) – Ethiopian Epiphany

Ethiopian Epiphany, which is just after 12 or 13 days after the Ethiopian Christmas, is a colorful event observed throughout Ethiopia to commemorate Jesus Christ's baptism in the River Jordan by John the Baptist.

How is Timket celebrated?

The Epiphany commemoration begins on the eve of the main holiday, January 18th. The eve is referred to as Ketera (ከተራ), which means "stopping the flow of water for the blessing of the celebrants." 

On the day of Ketera, people accompany their local church tabot (ታቦት - replica of the Ark of the Covenant) to Timkete-Bahir (a pool, river, or artificial reservoir), which is conveyed by a locality’s priest and escorted by a massive celebration of thousands of people. 

The participants spend the night praying and singing hymns, including the Eucharistic Liturgy. On the following day, January 19, hundreds of thousands of people attend the actual festival. The festivities begin early in the morning with pre-sunrise ceremonies. Following this, the congregation is sprinkled with holy water and other rituals are done as well. Each Tabot resumes its parade back to its assigned church around 10 a.m., involving an even more colorful ritual with various traditional and religious songs. The element's vitality is assured by its continuing practice, with Orthodox clerics playing a critical role: they sing the praises dedicated to the ceremonies and hymns, carry the Ark, and preach important texts.

Adwa victory – Ethiopia’s victory over colonialism

On Sunday 1 March 1896, near the town of Adwa, the First Italo-Ethiopian war culminated in the Battle of Adwa, with Ethiopia as the winner over the colonizer Italy. Read the details of Adwa war.

Siklet (ስቅለት) – Good Friday


Siklet is a holiday celebrated by the Ethiopian Orthodox Religion's followers to celebrate the suffering and crucifixion of Jesus Christ. It is celebrated on the last Friday of an 56-days long fasting and praying period, known as �Abiy Tsom�, meaning The Great Fast, during which people challenge themselves by putting aside their earthly desires and striving to excel in their spiritual life. Silence is preferred during this time and slow spiritual songs that only use Mesenqo and Begena are listened to by the followers of Ethiopian Orthodox Religion.

How is Siklet Celebrated?

On Siklet day, which always lands on a Friday, before eating any meal, people gather in the morning at their local church to bow and pray until midafternoon. With the intention of punishing the flesh, which is believed to be only earthly and in control of our poor spiritual decisions, the bowing is done very repeatedly. After the church ceremony is completed, people go home and eat “Gulban” (ጉልባን) and Ethiopian bread called ”Difo Dabo”. Gulban is a dish that is cooked by boiling together split beans with wheat or barley. It is believed to be a meal that the Israelites prepared hurriedly as they were in a rush to leave Egypt. And it is prepared to commemorate this. More salt than necessary is also added to Gulban so it can make people thirsty, thereby commemorating the thirst Jesus Christ experienced while he was suffering.

Fasika (ፋሲካ) – Ethiopian Easter


 Fasika, also called Tinsae(ትንሳኤ) is a Christian Holiday that celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Because the Ethiopian Orthodox Church considers Jesus Christ's death and resurrection to be far more important than his birth, Fasika is the most important Christian holiday. Fasika is celebrated on the first Sunday that comes following Siklet (Good Friday).

How is Fasika (Ethiopian Easter) celebrated?

The Paschal Vigil takes place on Easter Saturday, when Orthodox Christians kneel down and rise up until they are too fatigued to continue. The vigil begins with solemn and religious reflections, followed by dancing and spiritual songs till early morning. At 12 a.m., a symbolic chicken is slaughtered, and at 3 a.m., everyone returns to their homes to break their fast with their families. Doro wot, bread, and other foods are prepared in advance, coffee rituals are held in the afternoon, and Orthodox Christians frequently brew tej, a traditional alcohol made from fresh honey that is shared with friends and family at the dinner table. Fasika is a celebratory holiday that begins with climax celebrations and culminates in a release of feasting, dancing, and singing. These jubilations not only depict the Christian celebration of Christ's death and resurrection, but they also highlight Ethiopian culture's remarkable richness and liveliness.

Eid Al-Fitr

Eid al-Fitr commemorates the completion of Ramadan, the Muslim holy month of fasting, and is observed during the first three days of Shawwl, the Islamic calendar's tenth month. Eid al-Fitr is a time for official receptions and private visits, when friends greet one other, gifts are exchanged, new garments are worn, and relatives' graves are visited.

How is Eid Al-Fitr celebrated in Ethiopia?

Ethiopian Muslims celebrate the Eid al-Fitr Holiday with various religious ceremonies across the nation. Tens of thousands of Muslims in the capital congregate at Addis Ababa Stadium early in the morning to observe the Salat Eid prayers. After the prayers are complete and people go home, they celebrate the holiday by feasting on delicious holiday meals with families, relatives, neighbors. Almsgiving to the poor and rejoicing the holiday with them is also part of Eid Al-Fitr celebration.

Labour Day (የላባደሮች ቀን)

Labor Day is observed on May 1st in Ethiopia. This is a holiday to recognize employees' contributions to the economy and society, as well as to emphasize where progress toward fair and safe working conditions needs to be achieved.

How is Labor day celebrated in Ethiopia?

In Ethiopia, schools and businesses normally close on Labour Day, while some businesses may remain open if the holiday falls on a Saturday, weekend, or a high-sales day. Many people celebrate in simple ways, such as staying at home and spending extra time with family. They could perhaps go to a natural park or the local marketplace.

Patriots' Victory Day (የአርበኞች የድል ቀን)

Patriots' Victory Day (የአርበኞች የድል ቀን - Ye Arbegnoch Yedil Qen) is an Ethiopian national holiday celebrated on May 5th. This holiday commemorates the conclusion of the Italian occupation of Ethiopia on May 5 1941. The defeat at Adwa left an indelible mark on Italy, potentially giving rise to Fascism and Benito Mussolini. Mussolini was to exact Italian vengeance in October 1935, when he invaded and crushed Ethiopia in the Second Italo-Ethiopian War, establishing Italian Ethiopia.



When World War II broke out, the Ethiopian resistance, the Arbegnoch (literally, "patriots"), with British assistance, were able to restore sovereignty during the East African Campaign. Emperor Haile Selassie arrived Addis Ababa on May 5, 1941 (Miyazia 27 in the Ethiopian calendar) and addressed the people, saying:

“Today is the day on which we defeated our enemy. Therefore, when we say let us rejoice with our hearts, let not our rejoicing be in any other way but in the spirit of Christ. Do not return evil for evil. Do not indulge in the atrocities which the enemy has been practising in his usual way, even to the last. Take care not to spoil the good name of Ethiopia by acts which are worthy of the enemy. We shall see that our enemies are disarmed and sent out the same way they came. As Saint George who killed the dragon is the Patron Saint of our army as well as of our allies, let us unite with our allies in everlasting friendship and amity in order to be able to stand against the godless and cruel dragon which has newly risen and which is oppressing mankind.”

Though an Italian guerilla warfare effort continued until 1943, it failed to destabilize the Ethiopians, and in a 1947 peace deal, Italy recognized Ethiopia's sovereignty and independence.

Eid Al-Adha Arefa

Eid al-Adha is the second and more important of Islam's two major feasts (the other being Eid al-Fitr). It commemorates Ibrahim's (Abraham's) willingness to sacrifice his son Ismail (Ishmael) as an act of obedience to Allah's order. However, before Ibrahim could sacrifice his son, Allah presented him with a lamb to slay in his son's place due to his willingness to sacrifice his own son in the name of God.

How is Eid Al-Adha celebrated in Ethiopia?

Like how it is done by all Muslims around the world, following a congregation at a local mosque, animals are ritually sacrificed to commemorate this intervention. The family that offers the animal consumes some of the meat, and the rest is given to the poor and needy. Sweets and presents are typically exchanged, and extended family members are usually visited and welcomed.

Fichchee Chambalala – Sidaamo people’s New Year

The Sidama people of Ethiopia celebrate Fichee-Chambalaalla as their New Year's festival. Fichee honors a Sidama woman who visited her parents and relatives once a year after her marriage, carrying buurisame, a feast made from false banana, milk, and butter that was shared with neighbors. Fichee has since become a Sidama people unifying symbol. Every year, astrologers decide the correct festival date, which is subsequently publicized to the clans.

How is Fichchee Chambalala celebrated?

Throughout Fichchee Chambalala festival, communal events such as traditional songs and dances are held. Every member participates, regardless of age, gender, or social background. Children go from door to door on the first day to welcome their neighbors, who serve them buurisame. Clan leaders tell the Sidama people to work hard, respect and support the elders, and refrain from cutting down indigenous trees, begging, indolence, false testimony, and robbery during the celebration. As a result, the festival promotes equity, good governance, social cohesiveness, peaceful coexistence, and integration among Ethiopia's numerous ethnic groups. Parents pass on the tradition to their offspring orally and through participation in celebration ceremonies. Women, in particular, pass on information and skills related to hairdressing and buurisame preparation to their daughters and other rural girls. Fichchee Chambalala was added to the Intangible List of Cultural World Heritages by UNESCO in 2015.

Ashenda (አሸንዳ)

Ashenda, also known as "Girls' Day," is a national holiday observed by Eritrea, Tigray (Ethiopia), Amhara (Ethiopia), Agew (Ethiopia, Eritrea), and neighboring countries. Ashenda is a national holiday celebrated by Eritrean and Ethiopian women of all ages. Although it is largely celebrated by teenage girls throughout Eritrea and Ethiopia, females of all ages are welcome to attend. Men are expected to be on their best behavior during this festival. The holiday began as a cultural celebration but has since turned into a religious one. Its origins can be traced back to ancient Israel, when it was a customary manner for Hebrew women to commemorate their holidays, victories, and heroes. Following the introduction of Christianity into Ethiopia in the 4th century AD, the celebration began to take on a religious tone and merge with Christian beliefs; those who celebrate it now see it as a commemoration of the heavenly ascension of the Virgin Mary following her Dormition, a feast known as Filseta.

How is Ashenda celebrated?

Prior to the holiday, groups of girls prepare by purchasing new outfits, visiting hairdressers, preparing drums, and harvesting the special 'Ashenda' grass (which will be tied around their waist for the celebration). On the first day, the Ashenda girls gather and proceed to their local Church of St. Mary (or any other Orthodox Tewahedo Church in the area), performing music and dancing. They then go through the entire village, receiving gifts and thanking each household in the community. The Ashenda girls spend around 20 minutes at each residence, amusing the families and themselves, before being bid farewell with money, food, or drink. Following the door-to-door celebrations, the girls locate a suitable field in or near the village and spend a day to a week dancing and playing in the field while passing males are urged to provide monetary gifts.