Orthodox
Meskel
መስቀል
Meskel brings communities together around the glowing Demera bonfire to remember the Finding of the True Cross.
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ETHIOPIA · ONE YEAR · MANY TRADITIONS
A year of
Ethiopian culture.
Start with the celebration coming up next, then follow Ethiopia’s major public, religious and living-heritage days in date order. Every dated event counts down to its next occurrence.
THE CULTURAL YEAR
What comes
next.
Celebrations are ordered by their closest upcoming date in Addis Ababa time. Islamic dates remain expected until confirmed by moon sighting.
Read the full story
Living heritage
Irreecha
Irreecha is the Oromo thanksgiving festival of gratitude, renewal, peace and the arrival of Birraa after the rainy season.
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National
Ethiopian National Unity Day
A day recognising Ethiopia's nations, nationalities and peoples and the country's many languages, histories and cultural traditions.
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Orthodox
Genna
ገና
Ethiopian Christmas is a deeply observed feast of worship, white cotton dress, family food and the end of a long fast.
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Orthodox
Timket
ጥምቀት
Timket, Ethiopian Epiphany, fills streets and waterside gathering places with processions, song and the blessing of water.
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National
Ethiopian Martyrs' Day
የካቲት ፲፪
Yekatit 12 remembers Ethiopians killed during the Italian occupation, especially the Addis Ababa massacre of February 1937.
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National
Adwa Victory Day
የአድዋ ድል
Adwa Victory Day honours Ethiopia's 1896 victory over the invading Italian army, a landmark of African independence.
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Muslim
Eid al-Fitr
Eid al-Fitr closes Ramadan with communal prayer, generous hospitality, new clothing and care for neighbours in need.
Expected date
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Orthodox
Siklet
ስቅለት
Ethiopian Good Friday is a solemn day of long church services, prayer, prostration and reflection before Fasika.
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National
International Workers' Day
A nationwide public holiday recognising workers and the social and economic contribution of labour.
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Orthodox
Fasika
ፋሲካ
Ethiopian Easter brings the long Lenten fast to a joyful close with worship, family reunions and a generous shared feast.
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National
Patriots' Victory Day
የአርበኞች ድል
The day honours Ethiopian patriots and the restoration of sovereignty after the five-year Italian occupation.
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Muslim
Eid al-Adha
Eid al-Adha is a feast of faith, sacrifice and generosity, marked by prayer and sharing food with family and people in need.
Expected date
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Muslim
Mawlid
Mawlid honours the birth of the Prophet Muhammad through prayer, teaching, devotional poetry and acts of generosity.
Expected date
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Cultural
Buhe
ቡሄ
Buhe brightens the rainy season with children's songs, glowing fires, cracking whips and rounds of fresh mulmul bread.
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Cultural
Ashenda
አሸንዳ
Ashenda centres girls and young women in days of song, dancing, friendship and intricate traditional dress.
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National
Enkutatash
እንቁጣጣሽ
Ethiopian New Year welcomes a fresh season as the long rains end and yellow adey abeba flowers cover the highlands.
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Living heritage
Fichee-Chambalaalla
The Sidama New Year renews family ties through greetings, counsel, dancing and the sharing of buurisame.
Date announcement pending
Set each year by Sidama ayyaantu elders
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