By Christine de Kock
FESTIVITIES gripped the Ethiopian community as they celebrated the dawning of 1998 last Saturday in keeping with the Ethiopian calendar.
About 1000 Ethiopians took part in the celebrations at the Millenium Reception and Function Centre in Sunshine.
Partygoers enjoyed a banquet of 21 dishes and were entertained by traditional music and dances.
Secretary of the Footscraybased Tigrian Community Association in Victoria Amelework Bezabih said the New Year’s celebrations held special meaning to the Ethiopian community.
“In northern Ethiopia we call it (New Year’s Day) St John’s Day. In the morning everyone goes to the river before the birds bathe, and bathe themselves. They do this in memory of St John the Baptist,” Ms Bezabih said.
She said that the day was celebrated after the heavy winter rains hit Ethiopia.
The Ethiopian New Year is celebrated on 11 September, and Christmas falls on 7 January.
