APA-Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) This year’s Ethiopian Meskel festival, one the world heritages and an outdoor religious celebration, has been overshadowed by the war in the Amhara region with low turnout and tight security.
The celebration of Demera, a ceremonial burning of a large bonfire that was conducted on Wednesday on the eve of Meskel saw security forces denying those faithful who dressed in traditional clothes having the tri-color flag of the country.
The event – usually a joyous affair where huge crowds gather around bonfires – marks the moment when the 4th century Roman Empress St Helena found Christ’s cross in Jerusalem.
As they do year after year, hundreds of priests, musicians and singers clad in white robes came together on the vast expanse of the capital’s Meskel Square but this year the celebrations saw low turnout of faithful who feared violence during celebration.
APA reported that the Ethiopian government has imposed restrictions on how it is celebrated in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa even though the government has imposed the State of Emergency in the Amhara region of Ethiopia – not in Addis Ababa.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s government had given specifications – including the number of people who can attend and what they can or can’t dress. This is certainly unheard of in the history of the country .
The laity is restricted from wearing historical Ethiopian national colors. It is going to be strictly the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church Flag.
Unlike printing and selling of T-Shirts was not allowed too. “Since the holiday is a religious one, printing T-shirts was not allowed,” the Addis Ababa city government said in a statement.
Firework was not allowed. Traditionally, fireworks were not part of the religious festival and its restriction would rather be non-issue.
What sounds rather harsh is the restriction on the number of choirs in uniform to escort the procession to Meskel Square where the festival is celebrated. Only 10,000 Sunday school students are allowed to be in uniform and sing.
MG/abj/APA