4th Day of Christmas

 

Christmas is called Ganna in Ethiopia

Christmas is a public holiday in Ethiopia. However, it is celebrated on January 7^th because they still follow the ancient Julian calendar. On Ganna everyone dresses in white. Most Ethiopians wear a traditional shamma, a thin, white cotton wrap with brightly colored stripes across the ends. The shamma is worn somewhat like a toga. Everyone goes to the early mass at four o'clock in the morning. Then some children might be given a small gift from family and then they play outdoor sports (that are native to Africa) to celebrate. It is summer at this time so it is usually sunny with flowers blooming.

Usually the wealthy shares a medium sized feast with the poor and a large feast with their family and friends.

Most people usually put up decorations that symbolize something relating to Christmas, like a male infant to represent the birth of Christ, or a small Christmas tree to represent Christmas decorations.

In a celebration that takes place several days later, the priests will dress in turbans and red and white robes as they carry beautifully embroidered fringed umbrellas.

Ganna is typically a holiday for worship, family, and sports.

 

The kids dressed up in their white shamma and played around.  Then Troy taught the kids a little bit about how poor the country is and what life as a child would be like in Ethiopia.   

 

 

Just in case you are wondering why Michael isn’t in any of these pictures, it is because he has figured out that everyone is distracted and focused on something other than him.  So he takes that opportunity to unwrap the presents under the tree, draw on the walls, or sneak a whole bunch of chocolate.