26/09/2025
እንኳን ለብርሃነ መስቀሉ አደረሰን አደረሳችሁ መልካም የመስቀል በአል ይሁንልን 🙏
🌼 What is Meskel?
Meskel means “cross” in Ge’ez/Amharic.
It commemorates the Finding of the True Cross by Empress Helena (Queen Eleni) the mother of Roman Emperor Constantine, in the 4th century.
According to tradition, she discovered the cross on which Jesus was crucified after being guided by a divine vision involving smoke from a bonfire.
📅 When is it Celebrated?
Meskel is celebrated on September 27 (or September 28 in leap years).
It marks the start of Ethiopia’s spring season — the rainy season has just ended, so fields are covered with blooming Meskel daisies.
🔥 Key Traditions
Demera (ደምራ): The central ritual of Meskel is the lighting of a huge bonfire, symbolizing the smoke that led Queen Eleni to the True Cross.
People gather in town squares or church compounds.
The bonfire is decorated with Meskel daisies and often blessed by priests.
The direction in which the bonfire’s central pole falls is sometimes seen as an omen for the coming year.
Processions & dancing: People sing, dance, and celebrate around the Demera.
Church services: Special liturgies and prayers are held in Orthodox churches across Ethiopia.
🎉 Cultural Significance
Meskel is both a religious and social holiday.
Families gather, traditional food and drinks are prepared, and people wear white cotton clothes (habesha kemis & netela).
The festival is also a UNESCO-recognized Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity (since 2013).
👉 In Addis Ababa, the biggest Demera is lit in Meskel Square, where tens of thousands of people gather.
Ethio info
