Last week Ethiopia celebrated Meskel, a major holiday that commemorates the discovery of the "one true cross" on which Jesus was crucified. Meskel Square in Addis is the place to be -- "meskel" means cross in Amharic. Orthodox priests and actors surround the cross (yes, the thing that looks like a Christmas tree to American eyes):
Everyone brings candles, and at dusk they're lit in a slow wave moving across the square:
The roar of the crowd grows until the cross is lit:
Documentation:
As the fire dies down the crowd scattered -- but this drumming and singing circle stuck around for quite a while:
