For Christians around the world Christmas and Easter are two of their most important holidays. In Ethiopia however the Ethiopian Orthodox and Eritrean Orthodox churches celebrate a third major holiday called Meskel.
The celebration of Meskel is also known as The Finding Of The True Cross, and it commemorates the discovery of the True Cross on which Jesus was crucified by the Romans. It was allegedly found in the fourth century by the Roman Empress Helena (also known as Saint Helena). Meskel occurs on the 17 Meskerem in the Ethiopian calendar and it it will be celebrated on 27th September (Gregorian calendar) this year. The main festival takes places in Meskel Square in the Ethiopian capital city of Addis Ababa, where hundreds of thousands of people gather over the course of the day.
Throughout the day religious and civil leaders, many of whom are colourfully dressed, give speeches, tell biblical themed stories, pray, chant and dance for the gathered crowds. When the day turns to night, and the sun descends from the sky, a massive conical pyre known as the Demera is burned. As the story goes, Saint Helena had a revelation in a dream where she was told to make a bonfire whose smoke would lead her to the burial spot of the True Cross. Her prophetic dream proved true, with the smoke rising to the sky during the burning of the Demera, and descending where the cross was buried.
Meskel isn’t just celebrated in Addis Ababa, as many Ethiopians and Eritreans who live in the cities return home to their villages, but it is unique to the two countries. It’s now registered with UNESCO as well, as an element of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.