Ye Ganna Baal!

Ganna means "birth of Christ" and according to the Ethiopian calendar we are in December (or Tehesas) and today is Christmas day! Merry Christmas everyone!

Traditional celebrations for Ganna include the setting up of manger scenes featuring the Three Wise Men. King Balthazar, is said to have been the wise man from Ethiopia who brought gifts of Frankincense. Frankincense is therefore infused in the celebrations as well and the aroma is widely used through oils or incense.

Church services are of course plentiful and last for 3 hours, with the singing of carols and carrying of candles included in the custom.

According to tradition, there are no Christmas trees or exchange of gifts, but modern influences see a few western decorations popping up in the capital of Addis Ababa. Children however sometimes get new outfits for the occasion.

Children follow another tradition of playing ganna or leddat, which is a type of field hockey where players use sticks and balls made from local trees. This is in line with ancient Ethiopian tradition that says the shepherds celebrated the birth of Jesus by playing such a game.

(source: http://www.yardflex.com/archives/002038.html)