27 months.: A look at the celebration: Saint George the 23rd

I celebrated this great holiday in Mezezo, beginning the day before (Thursday), as the town was decorated with green, red and yellow flags, and as homes prepared meat, injera and t’ela (a local drink made from barley). I helped a group of 12 women cut raw meat, and it felt wonderful to be able to help out and bond with these women as we all sat together and chatted while working.

On the day of the holiday, Friday, I dressed in my white cultural dress and attended the celebration at the church, which sits atop a tall and rocky hill, overlooking the surrounding valleys, trees and mountains; Stunning!

My cultural clothes and a look at the colorful celebration, spent with a good friend (pictured on the right).

The walk up to the beautiful church.

All night leading up to the celebration the religious leaders chanted and sang, projected on loudspeakers, which could be heard throughout the entire town, in preparation of the holiday; this day which remembers and celebrates Saint George who was put to death in the year 303 for not renouncing his Christian beliefs.

The church was fully decorated with paintings of St. George, beautiful velvet umbrellas, crosses, banners and flags. People were killing sheep and preparing wot (stew to be eaten with injera), as others brought large stacks of injera or difo dabo. There was chanting, singing and clapping, and also drumming and dancing as men moved rhythmically with the music that was singing praise to St. George. This day was powerful as the community came together, united by their strong Ethiopian Orthodox beliefs, celebrating with song, dance, and carefully prepared meat and other special food! As they do each and every day, the Mezezo community made me feel welcome and a part of the celebration as we enjoyed meals, coffee, and visited in Amharic (or at least listened and chimed in when I could!)