Ganna (Ethiopian Christmas)

Celebrated on December 28 or 29 (depending on the leap year in the Ethiopian calendar), Ganna marks the birth of Jesus Christ with unique Ethiopian Orthodox traditions. Families attend midnight church services, often dressed in traditional white shawls called netela, followed by communal feasts featuring injera and doro wat. This lesser-known Christmas observance emphasizes fasting, prayer, and community bonding.

What people do in Ethiopia

craft

Injera Preparation

A staple flatbread made from teff flour, requiring fermentation and a specific cooking technique on a clay griddle. Mastery involves understanding the batter’s consistency and timing.

intermediate

music

Traditional Hymn Chanting

Learning and performing ancient liturgical chants in Ge’ez, the sacred language of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, often sung during Ganna services. It requires vocal training and cultural knowledge.

advanced