Ethiopian Christmas “Gena” or “Lidet” is considered as the head of all other religious holidays among Ethiopian Christians, as it is the first step for god to save people. As Ethiopia uses its own calendar Christmas falls on the 7th of January. The holiday is celebrated colorfully among Ethiopia Orthodox churches across the country particularly in the rock hewn churches of Lalibela Its typically, a hot summer day and people in towns and villages dress up in their finest to celebrate this holiday

Genna festivities are preceded by all-night vigil following, 43 days fasting period leading up to Genna. This pensive fasting period is required of the clergy and is known as the fast of the prophets. The fast of Advent is carried out to cleanse the body and soul in preparation for the day of the birth of Christ. Everyone stands throughout the worship service for up to three hours. The clergy and Debtera (scholars versed in the liturgy and music of the church) lift their voices in hymn and chant just as it has been for over a 1,500 years when Ethiopia accepted Christianity.  This ancient rite culminates in the spectacular procession of the Tabot (the Tabot is symbolic of the Ark of the Covenant) and carried on top of a priest’s head). The procession makes its way three times around the church amidst ululation and chiming church bells, dazzling umbrellas and colorful attire of the clergy and Debteras (especially designated to accompany the Tabot) as well as a throng of Christians who follow the procession with lighted candles.

Afterwards, people disperse to their homes to feast and the clergy break their fast. Food and drink are plentiful, with many homes preparing the special meals characteristic of all big festivities highlighted on the Ethiopian calendar.   Food served at Christmas includes Doro Wat and Injera, a spicy chicken stew eaten with the sourdough pancake-like bread. Often, tej, a local wine-like drink made from honey, accompanies the feast.

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.

“When I visited Lalibela for Christmas celebrations this past January, the altitude—8,600 feet above sea level—and the crowds took my breath away: the tunnels and passageways connecting the churches were crammed with devotees bumping into and even shoving one another in their rush to get from one church to another. Lalibela has 20,000 residents, and “more than 50,000 pilgrims come for Christmas,” my guide told me. “As you see, they burst the town at its seams.” Crowds are expected to be even larger this Christmas because of the Ethiopian millennium: by the Ethiopian calendar, the year 2000 began this past September.”