Ethiopian New Year Celebration: This is not so commonly known to the people throughout the world that Ethiopia has a different calendar and the celebration of their new year take place either on 10th or 11th September. If you are there in Ethiopia, fortunately, this week then you must enjoy the celebration theirs with your local family. Usually, here the celebration takes place in the family houses just the way we all celebrate the new year on the Gregorian calendar.
The families there are very kind to invite you to their celebrations and offer you a great dinner. Staying there you will definitely come to know about all the traditions that they follow on new year celebration. It starts on the evening of 10th of September and continues on the 11th September. This article lets you know the kind of celebration they do in the new year.
Important Facts To Know About Ethiopian New Year
Buying sheep and chicken
On new year’s eve, it is a tradition to buy either chicken or sheep to slaughter it on the early morning of New Year’s Day.
Corn is bbq’ed
The corn bbq’ing is done on the fire on a little stove. It is quite smoky and also yummy and then it is wrapped up in a corn leaf. Then finally it is served to everyone.
Spreading Fresh Scented Grass on the floor
Just as the preparation before the day, the long grass is cut from the garden and it is brought into the house. Then herbs are added to it which creates the lovely scent which is then spread on the floor.
Meal on the eve
The anjeer is served together with few pots of different dishes. There are also some dishes which are vegetarian and some are non-vegetarian. The new year lunch is quite special.
Coffee Ceremony
A small low table is brought up in the mat which is spread over the newly scented grass. The coffee beans are also roasted on the flat metal plate on a stove fire. Once the roasting of coffee is finished they are then scooped into a round pot and the smoke and smell fill up the whole room. The coffee is added with aromatic herbs and then it is served only to people who are aged above 18. Under 18’s are not allowed to drink coffee.
Burning ‘Chibo’ with Signing and Dancing
The long bundles of twigs are tied which is place on stove fire. This is all starting on the corridor of the house. Once these bundles catch fire they are quickly taken to the ground and then singing and dancing begins.
Araki is served
Araki is a homemade liquor which is usually served to all those who like it. It is served in shots. It is aromatic and warms up the stomach. It helps in digestion after all the meal is fed and it also helps to get into your bed really well.
Morning Porridge
While the meal gets cooked all nibbles can take great which is a very smooth porridge which is formed in a round shape dome which has a hole in the middle which has the red and spicy sauce to dip the porridge in.
New Year’s Lunch
The lunch is usually served after 12 pm and it consists of anjeer, dulet, Doro wat and a couple of other dishes. There is also a tradition that a husband serves his wife from his own plate before starting to eat.
Cutting bread and Praying
After the time of lunch when everyone is full and lounging then it’s the time to cut the big round bread. This is after the offerings of prayer and all people stands up. The bread is cut by the oldest man in the house.
