Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
KIDDUS YOHANNES (NEW YEAR'S DAY)
At Ethiopian New Year (11 September), new clothes are traditionally bought for the occa-
sion, particularly for children, and relatives and friends are visited.
MESKEL (FINDING OF THE TRUE CROSS)
Starting on 27 September, this two-day festival is the most colourful after Timkat. Bon-
fires are built, topped by a cross to which flowers, most commonly the Meskel daisy, are
tied. Priests don their full regalia. Addis Ababa, Gonder and Aksum are good places to be.
October
Mid-October, just after the rains, is a great time to visit. The countryside glows
green, the wildflowers are in bloom and there are few visitors.
IRECHA
On the first Sunday following Meskel, the Oromo people celebrate Irecha on the shores of
Lake Hora (
Click here
)
. Devotees gather around ancient fig trees to smear perfume, but-
ter and
katickala
(a distilled drink) on the trunks and share ceremonial meals of roasted
meat, coffee and alcohol.
November
A great time to visit; expect plenty of wildlife in the national parks, and migratory
birds begin arriving in great numbers.
GREAT ETHIOPIAN RUN
This 10km race takes over Addis Ababa on the last Sunday of November and attracts over
20,000 runners (
Click here
)
. Whether running or watching, it's a fun time and it's a great
chance to see some of East Africa's elite athletes in action.
