Maskal

Today is a special occasion for the people of Ethiopia. Today is Maskal (Celebration of the finding of the true cross). When I attempted to learn about the history of Meskel I was a little 'taken back'. It's great that I have an open mind and enjoy learning about people and cultures. Well, this is why-


It is said that 500-600 years ago Queen Helena attempted to find the true cross of Jesus Christ. She bundled up some sticks and set them on fire on top of a hill while buring insence. As she prayed to find the true cross, the smoke from the fire blew in the northeast direction (towards Jerusalem). This spiritual smoke lead her to the true cross and it is said that she found a piece of it and is currently in a secured location approximately 700 kilometers northeast of Addis Ababa.


In honor of this holy day a large area was built in commemoration of this holy day in Addis Ababa. On the eve of this day many people gather in the appropriately named Meskel Square. From what I hear the traffic circle becomes a vast sea of people. The place is packed. When everyone finally gets together the take these bunbles of sticks that are wrapped together with yellow (maskal) flowers and ends up being approximately 6.5 ft. long.


The takes these bundles and stack them up to create a large bonfire. When all of these bundles are put together it creates a bonfire pit about 40ft. high. At the top of the bundles lies a cross made with these sticks also wrapped in meskel flowers. Then they light in on fire.


When the budles and cross burn for long enough the cross falls down. The direction in which the cross falls is said to predict aspects of life for that year (prosperity, famine, sickness, health, etc.)


The school is closed on this day, but we had a meskel celebration at the end of school yesterday to commemorate the day. We had an assembly in the gym that consited of my african drumming class kids playing, cultural history of meskel presented by MS students, and of coarse, the maintenance staff performing a ceremonial story and dance with singing. It was an amazing experience. After the assembly is done we went to the baseball field to watch the bundles of sticks being burned with the cross on top.


Many neighborhoods have their own cross buring ceremony. I went to the one near Kathy and Rob's place with Jeorgan, Jennifer and the kids. Rob and Kathy invited us over for some food first and then went to the ceremony. The people who organized it set up a tent on the residence propertiy with tables elegently set up. They provided us with food and drinks and even an Ethiopian delicacy, raw meat. I chose to pass on the meat! But there were many other food items there to eat. I thought this was a great way to not only celebrate but to meet our neighbors as well.


Now my thoughts on this ceremony was, "So you burn crosses, huh?!?!" Now as most of you know back in the states, buring crosses has never been a religious celebratory thing. As a matter of fact burning crosses are a little more negative. As in a sign of hate towards a group of people (from my experience, black folks). So this is why I was a little taken back when I first heard of this Maskal Celebration.

I'm glad I keep an open mind to many things!