Kullubi

Feast of St. Gabriel, 28. December
St. Gabriel is the Patron Saint who guards over homes and churches. There is a huge pilgrimage to the St. Gabriel's church on the Kullubi hill, about 70 km from Addis Ababa near Dire Dawa. Many pilgrims carry heavy burdens as penance, children are brought to be baptized and offerings are distributed to the poor.

 

Buhe, 21. August

Bands of small boys wander from house to house, singing and jostling until they are given some sweets, money or fresh dough (buhe). In the evening, bonfires are lit outside each home.

Axum Hidar Tsion - beginning of December
The Hidar Zion festival is related to the presence of the Arc of the Covenant in Axum und with the belief that it is a symbol for St. Mary's womb. Every year thousands of pilgrims from all over Ethiopia gather in Axum, the holiest city of the Ethiopians, to celebrate this festival

Gishen Maryam, 1. October
Thousands of pilgrims come every year to the location west of Dessie to celebrate St. Mary's day.

Adwa Day, 2. March
Commemorates the victory of Menelik II over Italy in 1896

Patriots' Day, 5. May
Celebrates the end of the Italian occupation in 1941

Ethiopian good Friday, 6. April

 

Fasika ,Ethiopian Easter Sunday,

 

'Idd al Fatr
Is the biggest Muslim festival of the year, celebrating the end of the fasting period Ramadan. After praying and listening to the Imam, goats and sheep are slaughtered and part of the meat is shared with the poor. Everybody wears new clothes while visiting friends and relatives as well as the family graves. Also horse racing is common during these days.

 

 

 

 

 

 'Idd al Adha in August
Muslim festivals and holidays follow the moon calendar and fall each year on different dates and celebrate the birthday of the Prophet Mohammed and different martyrs.