History Behind Enkutatash

New year’s eve is always associated with bonfires surrounded by people all over town in large circles singing holiday medleys and having a jolly good time as the smell of cooking fills up the air. Some stay up until 3 am in the early morning to get a taste of the Doro Wot. In the morning, the sour meal called feto which is said to keep us healthy all year round according to different legends is prepared and ate. Groups of young girls go around houses singing ‘Abebayehush’ with flowers in their hands, while the young boys go around giving away holiday sketches. They are then prized with different forms of rewards like bread or a hundred-birr bill slapped on their foreheads. The coffee ceremony with all its glory is presented with chefe, frankincense, and popcorn, the loaf of fresh bread passed around amongst the guests, and finally the lunch ceremony, with various delicious dishes served with tej and areke. While the locality is no stranger to these ceremonies, let’s go to the meaning and history behind the holiday.