This week, we learn about Ethiopian Christ-mas/Nativity, celebrated January 7, known as Lidet or Genna. While many scholar debate over the real birthday of Iyesus Christ being between July and September, the Gregorian calendar celebrates Christmas on the 25th of December, while Ethiopia still retains the ancient Julian calendar in which Christmas falls on January 7th (of the Gregorian calendar.) The Julian Calendar has not been altered since Christ has walked the Earth. During Ethiopian Christmas, its typically, a hot summer day and people in towns and villages dress up in their finest to celebrate. The Ethiopian name given to Christmas is Lidet or Genna which, according to elders, comes from the word Gennana, meaning “imminent” to express the coming of the Lord and the freeing of mankind from sin. Genna is also the name given to a hockey-like ball game. Legend has it that when shepherds heard of the birth of Christ they rejoiced and started playing the game with their sticks. Men and boys in villages now play the traditional Genna game with great enthusiasm in the late afternoon of Christmas day, a spectacle much enjoyed by village communities and the elders who referee the game.
Posted on: Sun, 28 Dec 2014 15:38:24 +0000
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