Celebrating Warriors

It's the meskel holiday today, celebrated throughout Ethiopia as the finding of the true cross. The people stick pieces of wood in the ground and they light fires. But here in Gesses, the meaning of Meskel takes a different twist. Here it is a time to celebrate warriors who have killed. It is a time to curse one's enemies. They stick pieces of wood in the ground, build fires, and pour small cups of alcohol on the fires causing mini explosions. They call curses down on their enemies by word and song. 

Dozens of cattle have been slaughtered this weekend and consumed in various forms: raw, rare, roasted and cooked. Rolf had three rounds of raw meat in the village where they held an early morning church service. After church we were invited to the homes of several people who kindly cooked the meat and served us keya (fermented millet drink) and coffee. 

Although the physical violence of this holiday ended several years ago and the cursing does not lead to an immediate act of revenge, the drums are beating, the flutes play a wild tune, and the songs cursing enemies continue to be sung late into the night. 

Our hope is that one day this holiday will still be a celebration of warriors celebrating the victory of the greatest warrior of all time: Jesus. The One who broke the power of death. They would celebrate every man and woman who has been victorious and has found the true meaning of the cross - salvation.

Several of the village song leaders are believers, yet the pressure of the community caused them to lead the traditional songs that curse enemies. This afternoon, one of the young Gumuz church elders shared his concern about this. At dusk, Rolf went to a nearby village to pray for and encourage the believers to boldly lead songs of hope. It is not easy for these first generation believers who are young to change their culture. 

But this evening, the air is filled with songs of praise! 

“Praise the Lord. Call on His name. Let us tell what He has done to all the people. Let us sing songs of praise to God. He is good. His love endures forever. Let us praise God!” 

We are celebrating warriors this evening. Young believers stepping out boldly with songs of praise. This is the beginning, and one day, we believe in faith, that these mountains will no longer resonate with curses but with praise to the One True God.