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Cultures
Explore Ethiopia's vibrant festivals, ceremonies and cultural celebrations held throughout the year.
Adwa Victory Day
Nationwide
March 2
Historical
The 1896 victory over Italy
historypatriotadwa
Adwa Victory Day honors the Ethiopian victory at the Battle of Adwa in 1896, a landmark of African…
Al-Negashi Feast
Tigray, Ethiopia
Varies
Religious
Islamic History Remembrance, Gathering at the first African mosque
AlNegashiFirstHijraMosque
Honors the king who gave refuge to early Muslims fleeing persecution in Mecca.
Ashenda
Axum, Tigray
August
Traditional
Girls’ song with grass crowns
tigraygirlsdance
Ashenda is a joyful Tigrayan and Amhara girls’ festival with singing, dancing and tall grass crowns…
Ashura
Harar, Ethiopia
Variable (Islamic calendar)
Religious
Harari observance of reflection
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Ashura is observed in Harar with prayers and reflection, part of the rich Islamic heritage of Ethio…
Buhe
Nationwide
August 19
Religious
Boys sing door-to-door with sticks
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Buhe is a vibrant festival where boys roam neighborhoods singing, dancing and striking staffs toget…
Debre Damo Feast
Tigray, Ethiopia
Oct 24
Religious
Abuna Aregawi Day, Rope Climbing to Monasteries
DebreDamoMonasteryClimbing
Monks and male pilgrims scale a 15-meter sheer cliff using leather ropes.
Eid al-Adha
Nationwide
Variable (Dhu al-Hijjah)
Religious
Festival of sacrifice
islamicsacrificeprayer
Eid al-Adha commemorates the willingness of Ibrahim to sacrifice, marked by prayer, charity and the…
Eid al-Fitr
Nationwide
Variable (end of Ramadan)
Religious
The feast after Ramadan
islamicfeastprayer
Eid al-Fitr concludes the holy month of Ramadan with communal prayers, generous meals and the givin…
Enkutatash Ethiopian New Year
Nationwide
11 September (12 in leap years)
New Year
New Year with flowers and song
new-yearflowersfamily
Enkutatash marks the Ethiopian New Year. Communities gather for church services, family visits, tra…
Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony
Nationwide
Year-round; common at social gatherings
Festival
Coffee served in three rounds
coffeeceremonyhospitality
The Ethiopian coffee ceremony is a social and cultural practice involving roasting green beans, gri…
Evangadi
Mekelle, Enderta
Variable
Traditional
Night-long traditional dance
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Evangadi is a spirited evening of traditional circle dances and call-and-response songs performed b…
Fasika Ethiopian Easter
Lalibela, Amhara
Variable; usually April or May
Religious
Easter after the long fast
easterorthodoxfastinglalibela
Fasika is Ethiopian Orthodox Easter, marked nationwide by church services, communal meals and famil…