Ethiopians follow the ancient Julian calendar, and like many other Orthodox Christians they celebrate Christmas on 7 January (or according to the Ge'ez Ethiopian calendar, the 29th day of Tahsas).

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AP) — Ethiopia’s Orthodox Christians are celebrating Christmas with prayers for ... attire to mark the end of a 43-day fasting period and the birth of Jesus Christ.

Prior to Christmas, believers fast for 43 days, eating only a single meal a day, which must not contain any ingredients of animal origin. In rural areas of Ethiopia, the traditional game of gena ...