Ethiopia festival fires burn bright despite downpour

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Tiksa Negeri / Reuters Ethiopian Orthodox faithful hold candles during the Meskel festival celebration to commemorate the discovery of the True Cross on which Jesus Christ was crucified, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, September 26, 2024

Thousands in Ethiopia's capital city defied a downpour to celebrate Meskel, the first big festival of the religious year.

It marks the discovery of the cross Jesus was crucified on, according to Ethiopian Orthodox Christian tradition.

On Thursday, believers gathered in a large public plaza in Addis Ababa for rituals, speeches and even a spot of theatre.

But the highlight was the lighting of a bonfire in the centre of the square.

There was heavy security presence at this year's celebration - personnel numbers have been beefed up at many major events in Ethiopia amid sporadic fighting in regions such as Amhara and Oromia.

Amensisa Negera / BBC Youngsters dressed in white pose for a picture during the 2024 Meskel celebrations in Addis Ababa.

Amensisa Negera / BBC A crowd of worshippers hold lit torches

Traditional instruments play a significant role in Meskel proceedings.

Heavy rain fell at one point during the evening, prompting musicians playing the 10-stringed begena to cover their instruments.

Michele Spatari / AFP Begena players (a traditional ten-stringed box-lyre instrument) cover their instruments from the rain during celebrations to mark the Ethiopian Orthodox holiday of Meskel, in Addis Ababa, on September 26, 2024.

Tiksa Negeri / Reuters Ethiopian Orthodox choir member blows a traditional trumpet during the Meskel festival, a celebration to commemorate the discovery of the True Cross on which Jesus Christ was crucified, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, September 26, 2024

Tiksa Negeri / Reuters Ethiopian Orthodox choir members sing during the Meskel festival

Vocalists also put on a show.

This all-female choir adorned themselves with mock versions of adey abeba, an indigenous flower that symbolises the Ethiopian New Year, which was marked earlier this month.

Amanuel Sileshi/ AFP A member of an Orthodox choir looks on during the celebrations of the Ethiopian Orthodox holiday of Meskel in Addis Ababa, on September 26, 2024.

As is customary, a huge pyre was lit at the centre of the square. The bonfire signifies the efforts made by Queen Eleni, a medieval Ethiopian ruler, to find Jesus' cross.

Tiksa Negeri / Reuters Ethiopian Orthodox faithful stand next to a bonfire during the Meskel festival,

Sunday school students portrayed this scene for Thursday's crowds, with one young woman donning a huge crown and red cape to play Queen Eleni.

Amensisa Negera / BBC Sunday school students act out a religious scene to mark the Ethiopian Orthodox holiday of Meskel, in Addis Ababa, on September 26, 2024.

Michele Spatari / AFP A woman dressed in royal attire parades on a horse during celebrations of the Ethiopian Orthodox holiday of Meskel, in Addis Ababa, on September 26, 2024.

During the celebration Abune Mathias, the patriarch of Ethiopia's Orthodox Church, called on Ethiopians to unite and play a part in bringing peace to the country.