YAMA ETHIOPIA TOURS

Axum-Tsion Festival

Every year, on 21 Hidar in the Ethiopian calendar or 30 November, more than 100,000 people come to Axum from all over Ethiopia to commemorate the founding of this church, with many pilgrims coming on foot, having walked for up to a month. There is a marvelous atmosphere in the town, and great spectacles for the visitor with processions of the clergy and deacons, with drumming, dancing and chanting.

Axum-Tsion Festival

On a day trip from Axum, we can visit the temple at Yeha, Ethiopia’s first city, settlement in the area dates back more than 2800 years. There are the remains of a temple dedicated to Ilmuqeh, the moon god, and next to the temple is the church of Abune Aftse, one of the “9 Saints” who did much to spread Christianity in Ethiopia. The temple at Yeha is the oldest building in sub Saharan Africa.

Axum-Tsion Festival

We can integrate the festival of Hidar-tsion with visits to other places on the Historic Route, to the rock hewn churches of Gheralta, to the Afar Region, and/or other parts of the country, the Omo valley, bird watching, trekking and other activities.

INCLUDED