Ethiopian Christmas

Genna, also called Lidet, commemorates the birth of Jesus in the Ethiopian Christian calendar. Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo observance belongs to the Alexandrian calendar tradition and follows the Nativity fast; some Ethiopian Catholic and Protestant communities also use the January date, while others follow different church calendars. The federal law deliberately fixes the civil holiday on January 7 even when an Ethiopian leap-year adjustment changes the corresponding Ethiopian-calendar day.

The feast is preceded by an overnight service in many Orthodox churches, with Ge’ez liturgy, chanting, drums and sistra continuing into Christmas morning. White shamma or netela garments are common but not universal. After worship, households that have fasted may share doro wat, injera or other food suited to region and means; giving food to neighbours or people displaced or in need is as significant as conspicuous feasting.

Ethiopian Christmas is a religious public holiday under Article 6 of Proclamation No. 1334/2024. Governmental and non-governmental institutions close and salaried employees’ pay may not be reduced, while utilities, health care, security, public transport, fuel services, museums and parks must remain available and other listed businesses may open. Labour Proclamation No. 1156/2019 gives covered workers twice the hourly wage for holiday work and only one holiday payment when a holiday coincides with another holiday or a legal rest day; neither law creates an automatic substitute Monday.