Christmas known as Genna in Ethiopia is a celebration rich with culture and rituals making it a beloved holiday amongst all Ethiopian Christians and tribes. Being the oldest nation in Africa, Ethiopia and especially the Orthodox Church continues to use the old Julian calendar. Thus Genna falling on January 7th each year.
In anticipation of Genna there is 43 days fasting period by the Orthodox faith followers known as the fast of the Prophet. The fast is broken at the crack of dawn on the morning of Genna. During this time of fasting only vegan meals are eaten, some only have one meal a day and others, like children can break their fast during lunchtime.

One of the unique aspects about Genna in Ethiopia is the exchanging of gifts, which is not a common part of the celebration. However, parents traditionally tend to buy their children new clothes. Hence, making the season of Genna in Ethiopia mainly focused on religion, family, feasting and games rather than the exchanging of gifts.
The other unique feature of the Genna celebration is the Genna game mostly played in the rural areas. A hockey like game played with a curved stick and round wooden ball by men and boys. According to an Ethiopian legend this games is an expression of celebration started by the shepherds in the biblical times when they were informed of the birth of the Messiah.
Written by Sena Kinati