Event Schedule
Sept 24 'Weret Henna'
It is the day when materials used for serving food are taken down from the walls. Housewares will be carefully cleaned and used for food delivery until October 5th. In addition, it is the day when everyone cleans the house, puts on new clothes, and prepares to celebrate the cross.
Sept 25 'Dungesat'
It is the day when cabbage is eaten in a clay pot prepared for all family members. Women bear the entire cost of this day. This day and night is the day when children's candles are burnt at every door, and it is called Ye Degya Esat (Day of Bayou Esat Kene) in the ethnic pronunciation. and women praise the creator for bringing us to this day.
Sept 26 'Wehemeya'
It is on this day that the main festival of the Cross is celebrated by the Gurage people. On that day, the activities of the families are highlighted and every member of the family gathers two or more to slaughter an antler. On this day, raw meat is dipped in butter as soon as the man puts it in, and then his beloved Gurage eats it.
Sept 27 'Yabanda fire'
/Gurz fire It is the day when the main cross and the biggest /fathers' damera is lit and it is mostly decorated with religious content. It is the day when young men and women go to the church and dance the traditional dance ``Adabna'' and a religious ceremony is followed by the burning of Damera.
Sept 28 'Nek Bar/Kesel Mai'
From 12 o'clock in the night, the members of a locality manage to gather at the place where Damera was burnt and take an oath to appoint a new local judge and hand over the previous one, a new membership request is made and a record is kept.
Sept 29 'Fikakomai'
From 12 o'clock in the night, the members of a locality manage to gather at the place where Damera was burnt and take an oath to appoint a new local judge and hand over the previous one, a new membership request is made and a record is kept.
From Sept 28 to Oct 04
It's time to question the mother-in-law and mother-in-law. Girls carry hats and tails for their mothers, hair butter for their fathers, and their husbands carry muktas. Their children, who are part of their husbands, will be graduated by their parents and they will be honored and respected by all their in-laws.
From Sept 28 to October 04
10 It's time to question the mother-in-law and mother-in-law. Girls carry hats and tails for their mothers, hair butter for their fathers, and their husbands carry muktas. Their children, who are part of their husbands, will be graduated by their parents and they will be honored and respected by all their in-laws.
From Sept 24 to Oct 16
Adabna is a traditional youth dance ceremony that takes place in various market places and churches from Sept 16 to Oct 5 in connection with the Cross Festival. In addition to this, the work of choosing a spouse is done during this dance and song, which is highlighted by the songs and dankira of young men and women who sing in a circle.
See The Whole Program
Featured Speakers
Benawi Alemayehu
Software Developer - 2023
"The meskel celebration in Gurage may have a span of 14days depending on the area. "
Ariel Camus
Founder + CEO, Microverse - 2023
"During the slaughter ceremony the ox should fall on the right side or is flipped the other way around. "
Gaby Suarez
Admissions, Microverse- 2023
"This is the day that the whole of Ethiopia celebrates meskel. On this day you might see people with crosses made of ashes"
Andrea Funda
Student Success, Microverse - 2023
"Meskel in Gurage is not only limited within the reigon but also the whole of Ethiopia."
Nicolas Kneler
Admissions, Microverse - 2023
"The foods are not sereved on plates as we assume but is eaten on a leaf cut into shapes and is eaten with a spoon made of an ox’s horn."
