The festival of Meskel honors Helena, the mother of Emperor Constantine, for discovering the actual cross that was used for Jesus’ crucifixion. Similar to Ash Wednesday in the West, this festival vies for prominence and is regarded as the most significant event for both clergy and laypeople. Officially, Meskel is a minor Christian feast that is only observed by ardent conservatives, according to the papacy and a large portion of the Vatican-centered Catholic faith. This is not the situation in Ethiopia, where the nation comes to a complete halt during this joyous occasion. The feast is held on September 27, when the country is at its most picturesque after the rainy season. The hills surrounding Addis Ababa are covered with yellow daisy-like blossoms, and flowers are in full bloom. On September 26, the eve of the feast, families all throughout the country start to make the demera, a tall prism made of twigs that is believed to imitate the flaming fir tree that led Helena to the cross. This is when the party really gets going. When this is ready, a demera flower cross is positioned atop the mound, and the families head back to their homes in anticipation of the commencement of festivities.
