Liddet | Ethiopian Christmas

Liddet | Ethiopian Christmas

January 7, 2010 is the day that Ethiopians will celebrate Christmas. Although there is no direct correlation between a Jewish festival and this date when Ethiopian Christians among others (i.e. Russian, Serb, and Ukrainian Orthodox Christians) celebrate Christmas, I did find a unique minor holiday that reinforced the shared history, Gizret.

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Melkam Addis Amet 2009 | Happy Ethiopian New Year

Melkam Addis Amet 2009 | Happy Ethiopian New Year

Today is the New Year for Ethiopians. The unique thing about Ethiopian traditions and calendar observances is how closely aligned they are with Judaism. Even a cursory knowledge of biblical history, calls to mind the great union between the titular heads of Ethiopian and Israel. Essentially, what began as a diplomatic interaction to negotiate political and economic trade concerns has subsequently been translated by a number of cultures and peoples into a great love story.

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