Ethiopia festival fires burn bright despite downpour

Ethiopia festival fires burn bright despite downpour

Thousands in Ethiopia’s capital city defied a downpour to celebrate Meskel, the first big festival of the religious year.

It marks the discovery of the cross Jesus was crucified on, according to Ethiopian Orthodox Christian tradition.

On Thursday, believers gathered in a large public plaza in Addis Ababa for rituals, speeches and even a spot of theatre.

But the highlight was the lighting of a bonfire in the centre of the square.

There was heavy security presence at this year’s celebration – personnel numbers have been beefed up at many major events in Ethiopia amid sporadic fighting in regions such as Amhara and Oromia.

Youngsters dressed in white pose for a picture during the 2024 Meskel celebrations in Addis Ababa.

[Amensisa Negera / BBC]

A crowd of worshippers hold lit torches

[Amensisa Negera / BBC]

Traditional instruments play a significant role in Meskel proceedings.

Heavy rain fell at one point during the evening, prompting musicians playing the 10-stringed begena to cover their instruments.

Begena players (a traditional ten-stringed box-lyre instrument) cover their instruments from the rain during celebrations to mark the Ethiopian Orthodox holiday of Meskel, in Addis Ababa, on September 26, 2024.

[Michele Spatari / AFP]

Ethiopian Orthodox choir member blows a traditional trumpet during the Meskel festival, a celebration to commemorate the discovery of the True Cross on which Jesus Christ was crucified, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, September 26, 2024

[ Tiksa Negeri / Reuters]

Ethiopian Orthodox choir members sing during the Meskel festival

[Tiksa Negeri / Reuters]

Vocalists also put on a show.

This all-female choir adorned themselves with mock versions of adey abeba, an indigenous flower that symbolises the Ethiopian New Year, which was marked earlier this month.

Ethiopian Orthodox choir members sing during the Meskel festival

[Tiksa Negeri / Reuters]

A member of an Orthodox choir looks on during the celebrations of the Ethiopian Orthodox holiday of Meskel in Addis Ababa, on September 26, 2024.

[Amanuel Sileshi/ AFP]

As is customary, a huge pyre was lit at the centre of the square. The bonfire signifies the efforts made by Queen Eleni, a medieval Ethiopian ruler, to find Jesus’ cross.

Ethiopian Orthodox faithful stand next to a bonfire during the Meskel festival,

[Tiksa Negeri / Reuters]

Sunday school students portrayed this scene for Thursday’s crowds, with one young woman donning a huge crown and red cape to play Queen Eleni.

Sunday school students act out a religious scene to mark the Ethiopian Orthodox holiday of Meskel, in Addis Ababa, on September 26, 2024.

[Amensisa Negera / BBC]

A woman dressed in royal attire parades on a horse during celebrations of the Ethiopian Orthodox holiday of Meskel, in Addis Ababa, on September 26, 2024.

[Michele Spatari / AFP]

During the celebration Abune Mathias, the patriarch of Ethiopia’s Orthodox Church, called on Ethiopians to unite and play a part in bringing peace to the country.

Abune Mathias, Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox church, blesses the faithful during the Meskel festival, a celebration to commemorate the discovery of the True Cross on which Jesus Christ was crucified, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, September 26, 2024

[Tiksa Negeri / Reuters]

One wreath-wearing attendee had a similar message.

A man holding placards poses for a photograph during the celebrations of the Ethiopian Orthodox holiday of Meskel in Addis Ababa, on September 26, 2024

[ Amanuel Sileshi / AFP]

Ethiopian Orthodox choir members sing during the Meskel festival, a celebration to commemorate the discovery of the True Cross on which Jesus Christ was crucified, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, September 26, 2024

[Tiksa Negeri / Reuters]

More BBC stories from Ethiopia:

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[Getty Images/BBC]

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