Just wanted to wish everyone a very blessed Christmas in Amharic... Melikam Genna! (Melikam=happy/greeting & Genna=Christmas) Just be sure not to say "Melikam Gema" or you will be wishing someone a "Happy Stinky." And of course, it should not be confused with Mele Kalikimaka, the Hawaiian Christmas greeting (can you hear me singing along with Bing Crosby?).More than half of the population in Ethiopia is Orthodox Christian and celebrates Christmas. Because they follow the ancient Julian calendar, Ethiopians won't celebrate Christ's birth until January 7th, the Feast of the Epiphany. Christmas Eve is a day of fasting for Ethiopian Orthodox Christians, as Christmas Day is a day celebrated with feasting.
Enjoy your feast with the ones you love--Merry Christmas from the Witmers!
