Photo Essay: A holy celebration to start the year

Genna falls on the 29th of the fourth month, Taḫśaś. Amanuel Sileshi and Michele Spatari captured this year’s celebrations in Ethiopia capital Addis Ababa, and up north in Lalibela

Donning white handwoven scarves – netela for women and kuta for men — Ethiopian Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas, or Genna as it is called here, on 7 January. In the Ge’ez calendar, the day falls on the 29th of the fourth month, Taḫśaś. Amanuel Sileshi and Michele Spatari captured this year’s celebrations in the capital Addis Ababa and up north in Lalibela, a Unesco World Heritage site renowned for its centuries-old rock-hewn churches.

Deck the halls: At a market in the Shola district in Addis Ababa, a vendor waits for customers looking for decorations. Photo: Amanuel Sileshi/AFP

Lighting the way: Congregants worship at the Bole Medhanialem Church in Addis Ababa on the evening before Genna celebrations. Photo: Amanuel Sileshi/AFP

Thy rod and thy staff: Priests chant and dance during the Genna celebrations. Photo: Michele Spatari/AFP

Quench thy thirst: Patrons chill at a bar ahead of Genna celebrations. Photo: Michele Spatari/AFP

Rest thy soul: Pilgrims headed for the Genna celebrations in Lalibela rest at a camp. Photo: Michele Spatari/AFP