Genna (Ethiopian Christmas)
Ethiopia celebrates Christmas, or Genna, on January 7th, according to the ancient Julian calendar. The holiday is marked by candlelit processions, midnight church services, and communal feasting. In Lalibela, pilgrims dressed in white gather around the rock-hewn churches for an all-night vigil, singing hymns that echo through the carved stone. Genna is also known for its traditional game, similar to field hockey, which is played in villages across the country. For visitors, Genna is a warm, spiritual, and communal experience that reflects Ethiopia’s enduring Christian traditions.