New Year in Africa

Vachugova MarinaForm 5c School#2 Inza,Ulyanovsk region

New Year, called Enkutatash, is celebrated on the 11th of September in Ethiopia.

The new year is the end of the summer rainy season. An ancient legend says that

on the 11th of September the Queen of Sheba returned to her native country from a trip to King Solomon in Jerusalem. Servants met the Queen with delight, showering her way with flowers and gave her jewelry. This

pleased the Queen, and she decided to celebrate the holiday Enkutatash each year

on this day.

The day before the feast people constructed large and small bonfires of the branches of eucalyptus, palm trees or conifers. In Addis Ababa, the main square of the country,

on the 10th of September has the biggest bonfire. This giant bonfire is lit by the flame of the ruler of Ethiopia. According to popular tradition, which way fall top of the

tree falls there will be the richest harvest.

People give each other a green branches and

yellow flowers on this day.

Enkutatash is also a religious holiday. Many Ethiopians in

national costumes go to church on the 11th of September.

Traditional dishes for this holiday is stew - "UAT", flour flat cake plant teff - "Injera"

and beer - "Tella."

In the afternoon, the children visit homes of relatives and neighbors, sing traditional songs to the sound of a small drum

"Cabera" in bright holiday dresses, with wreaths and bouquets of yellow flowers. Boys draw and sell paintings.

Enkutatash is a favorite holiday for

kids, because they get a lot

of candies and coins.

Thank youfor your

attention!