CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION IN LALIBELA, ETHIOPIA 4

Ledet (Christmas) falls on December 29 Ethiopian calendar (January 7 Gregorian calendar). Ethiopian Christmas is celebrated after 43 days fasting known as Tsome Gahad (Advent), with a spectacular procession, which begins at 6 AM and lasts until 9 AM. After the mass service, people go home to break the fast with the meat of chicken or lamb or beef accompanied with injera and the traditional drinks (i.e. tella or tej). Ethiopian Christmas is colorfully celebrated in Lalibela at the rock hewn church of Bete Mariam (The House of St. Mary) by an overnight chanting and the early morning ecclesiastical dance and chanting by the deacons, priests and the cantors who all wear typical traditional cloth and climb on to the surrounding courtyard rock hill known as Mame Gara that encircle the church of St. Mary. The day marks both the birth of Jesus Christ and King Lalibela and it is why thousands of pilgrims make their pilgrimage to the site for this particular festival.

[@melektegnaw]

Amen Amen Amen 👐👐👐👐👐👐👐💜💜💜

[@anitahoward4054]

When I was there this chanting starting started as the first rays from the sun lit the spaces between leaves. Then as the sun rose further the tone and tempo of the chanting increased reminding me of the Allaluah chorus.

[@gjghgug1913]

🌿🌿🌿🌿🌿🌿☘

[@betelbefekadu1643]

Amen

[@gjghgug1913]

💒💒💒💒💒💒💒

[@gjghgug1913]

🎺🎺🎺🔊🔊🔔

[@gjghgug1913]

🇧🇴🇧🇴🇧🇴🇧🇴🇧🇴🇧🇴