Meskel celebrants in Addis Ababa follow the Ethiopian Orthodox tradition of building a big bonfire, known as a Demera, and marching through the streets, all the while watching where the smoke blows.
Orthodox Ethiopians Celebrate the 'Finding of the True Cross'
The significance of Meskel surpasses its cultural and religious values. Meskel heralds the end of the rainy season and the onset of the Ethiopian spring, writes The Ethiopian Herald.
The September Meskel Festival marks the finding of the True Cross on which Jesus Christ was crucified. The festival is ancient, dating back over 1,600 years.
