Meskel Festival in Ethiopia / Finding the true cross/

Duration

2 days

Overview

The Meskel festival is one of the most important spiritual events in Ethiopian culture. It takes place on September 17th on the Ethiopian calendar (September 27th on the Gregorian calendar). Meskel is celebrated by dancing, feasting and lighting a massive bonfire known in Ethiopian tradition as Demmera. Every year thousands of Ethiopian Orthodox Christians gather at the sunken rock churches of Lalibela for this festival which commemorates the finding of the very cross on which Jesus Christ was crucified. The celebration of Meskel recognizes the presence of the true cross at the Mountain of Gishen Miriam monasteries. On the eve, pilgrims sleep outside the ceremonial tent containing the Tabots, replicas of the Ark of the Covenant. The Tabots are carried through the streets by priests; many pilgrims believe the original Ark of the Covenant is kept safe in northern Ethiopia. The start of the festival is a riot of colour, music and dancing as worshippers converge on the churches.