Meskel (Ge'ez: መስቀል, romanized: Mesk’el) is an Ethiopian and Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo Church holiday that commemorates the discovery of the True Cross by the Roman Empress Saint Helena of Constantinople in the fourth century. This ancient festival holds deep religious significance for Christians in Ethiopia.
Demera bonfire in Meskel Square
Meskel, also known as “Finding of the True Cross,” is a colorful and vibrant holiday celebrated in Ethiopia. It is a unique holiday and it coincides with the end of the raining season and the beginning of the harvest time in Ethiopia. Meskel is celebrated by Oriental Orthodox members of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, the Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo Church, and to a lesser extent Roman Catholic members of the Ethiopian Catholic Church, the Eritrean Catholic Church, and among Protestant members of P'ent'ay - Ethiopian-Eritrean Evangelicalism (including Pentecostal, Lutheran, Baptist, Mennonite, and other Evangelical churches).
The Origin of Meskel
Meskel traces its roots back over 1,600 years to the fourth century AD. According to Ethiopian Orthodox Christian tradition, it commemorates the discovery of the True Cross upon which Jesus Christ was crucified.
The story goes that Queen Helena, the mother of Emperor Constantine, had a dream guiding her to find the Holy Cross. She was told that she should make a bonfire and that the smoke would show her where the True Cross was buried. So she ordered the people of Jerusalem to bring wood and make a huge pile. She and her followers lit a bonfire, and the smoke led them to the spot where the Cross was buried. The word meskel means “cross” in Ge’ez, the ancient Ethiopian language.
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According to the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, the discovery of the True Cross is traditionally believed to have been in March, but Meskel was moved to September to avoid holding a festival during Lent, and because the church commemorating the True Cross in Jerusalem was dedicated during September.
Meskel Eve and the Demera Bonfire
The celebration of Meskel begins on the evening of September 26th. According to local traditions, this Demera-procession takes place in the early evening the day before Meskel or on the day itself. Families and communities gather to light a large bonfire called a “Demera.” This central event is a symbol of the bonfire that Queen Helena used to find the True Cross.
The firewood is decorated with daisies prior to the celebration. The Demera is adorned with yellow Meskel daisies, and it is surrounded by joyful singing and dancing. All over the country the bonfires are lit. In Addis Ababa (the capitol city) the bonfire set in Meskel Square is HUGE.
Edward Ullendorff records a number of beliefs of the meaning of Demera, with some believing that it "marks the ultimate act in the cancellation of sins, while others hold that the direction of the smoke and the final collapse of the heap indicate the course of future events - just as the cloud of smoke the Lord raised over the Tabernacle offered guidance to the children of Israel (Exod.
Charcoal from the remains of the fire is afterwards collected and used by the faithful to mark their foreheads with the shape of a cross (compare Ash Wednesday).
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Ethiopian Orthodox Christians celebrate Meskel Festival with prayers for peace
Meskel Flower (Adey Abeba)
One of the most beautiful aspects of Meskel is the Meskel flower (Adey Abeba). These bright, yellow daisies bloom around the time of the holiday, adding natural beauty to the festivities. In many regions, children collect these flowers to make garlands and wreaths for the celebration. People wear the flowers in their hair, or adorn their bodies with flower tucked into every pocket or button hole.
Religious Meaning and Traditions
Meskel is a religious holiday celebrated by Christians. During the celebrations, colorful processions take place, led by priests dressed in traditional attire. They carry crosses and perform religious chants and hymns. The prayers and rituals are a magnificent part of Meskel, expressing gratitude for the discovery of the True Cross.
One explanation for the high rank this festival has in the church calendar is that it is believed that a part of the true Cross has been brought to Ethiopia from Egypt.
Cultural Significance
While Meskel is a religious holiday, it also holds cultural significance for all Ethiopians. It is a time for families to come together, share meals, and enjoy the vibrant traditions of their country. Many Ethiopians who live in cities return to their home villages to celebrate the national event. Religious and civil leaders preside over the celebration, and public figures give speeches and reference biblical themes and stories. Traditional dances, music, and feasts are shared by families, neighbors, and communities all over the country.
In some regions of Ethiopia, people engage in a practice called “Bull Jumping” during Meskel. Young men demonstrate their bravery by jumping over rows of bulls, a tradition that dates back centuries.
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Meskel is a beautiful Ethiopian holiday that celebrates both religious and cultural aspects of the country’s rich heritage. The holiday reminds us of the deep-rooted traditions that have been passed down through generations.
Ethiopian Meskel Flowers
Speculations on the Origin of Meskel
Ullendorff speculates that Meskel replaced an older festival, with pagan and Hebraic associations, which he believes received its Christian sanction around the reign of Emperor Amda Seyon in the fourteenth century.
