The Meskel festival in Ethiopia

Meskel (the finding of the true cross) falls on 28th September each year and has been celebrated in Ethiopia for over 1,600 years. The word Meskel means “Cross” and the feast commemorates the discovery of the cross (upon which Jesus was crucified).

The festival coincides with the mass blooming of the golden yellow ‘Meskel daisies’, a flower called ‘Adey-Abeba’ in the Amharic language. According to which, the capital of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa was named after.

A large bonfire is lit in Meskel Square and this is repeated all over the country in churches and small neighborhood groups. Bonfires are built topped by a cross to which flowers most commonly the Meskel daisy are tied. Priests don their full regalia and people of all ages are seen in the streets carrying fresh bunches of yellow flowers.

After the bonfires are blessed, they are lit and the dancing and singing begins around them. The feasting and the celebrations continue the night and well into the next day.

It was a waste we couldn't visit Ethiopia on our way back from Tanzania, we had to cancel our trip to Addis Ababa, due to my visa problems. Ethiopia is somewhere I've always wanted to see.. Many pple conjure images of malnutritioned africans streaked with poverty, when they hear of Ethopia. But it's changed, they've come a long way.. They've so much history, and culture.. such as the tribes that live in the Omo River region who have such interesting traditions and habits..

An Omo tribal girl