Melkam Addis Amet (Happy New Year)!!!
Friday, September 12th, 2008 | Uncategorized
Yesterday was New Year’s Day in Ethiopia! Most people did not work and the city slowed down a lot. Unlike the sad significane of September 11th in American culture, September 11th in Ethiopia menas a new year is beginning! So, as an American, it’s nice to now have a happy association with this date!
On New Year’s Eve, people sing songs, go to a concert at the Millenium Hall (this year is considered 2001 according to the Ethiopian calendar), have lots of campfires (it looked like a hazy fog had descended on Addis), and stay up at least until midnight.
On New Year’s Day people wear white (the color of celebration here), sometimes go to church, and usually kill some type of lamb, goat, or chicken for dinner. It is traditional to buy this animal while it is still alive and slaughter it yourself (this duty is usually done by a man at the house-Thank you God!). In fact, yesterday Cindy and I were looking sadly at a lamb who was tied to our neighbor’s shed, crying. I think he knew that it wouldn’t be long before he ended up as someone’s New Year’s dinner. Today, I have seen heads, fur, and other odd body parts of animals on the street. Maybe this is tradition, but I still think it’s grouss! Nonetheless, it’s been fun to see the city celebrate and be a part of it somehow!!
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