Another Ethiopian holiday-Meskel

Today is Meskel, an important Ethiopian holiday. Meskel means "True Cross". It is believed that Empress Helena, mother of Constantine the Great, discovered the True Cross on which Christ was crucified in the 4th Century. Many Ethiopians believe that the True Cross remains at the mountain of Gishen Mariam monstery.

There are three main accounts of how the True Cross was found. The most popular tells how Helena went off on her search but rather than the Jews telling her where the cross was, she found it by lighting incense and following the smoke as it descended to Earth.

Meskel is celebrated with a huge feast. This important festival is celebrated differently in each region. In the central highlands, the festival begins on Meskel eve by planting a green tree in town squares and village marketplaces. Everyone brings a pole topped with the beautiful yellow Meskal daisies, which are abundant in Ethiopia at the end of the rains, placed to form a towering pyramid which is then set alight.

In Addis, large crowds gather in Meskel square near the Church of Saint George. A colorful procession gathers around the huge pyramid and the torch bearers set it alight. Feasting, drinking, and dancing continue until dawn when the central pole of the pyramid falls, marking the climax of the event. The next day people return to the fire to make the sign of the cross in the remaining ashes.

In the southern lands (where Kenyon Belachew is from), the feast is the most important event of the year and lasts for at least a week.