Page 70 - Msingi Afrika Magazine Issue 20

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the Roman pagan holiday known as foliage such as wreaths. This was scholars suggest that it was during
Saturnalia. done in praise of the agricultural the reign of Kings Abreha and
god, Saturn, who is to bring green Asbeha, and others contend that
The similarities between Saturnalia back to earth after winter. More- it was in the reign of King Ezana.
and Christmas can be linked to the over, the Romans display their Either way, Christianity failed to be
conquests of the Roman Empire in merrymaking by singing, dancing, a weapon of colonization in Ethio-
most of Europe, which extended gambling, socializing, feasting, pia, as was the case in most African
from the second century BC to the and gift giving. The greenery that countries. When the missionaries
fourth century AD. During this decorates homes, and the common came, Ethiopians were already
long conquest, the Romans sup- gift of wax candle known as cerei, Christians. They could even teach a
pressed other rituals and imposed symbolize the end of solstice and thing or two to the false preachers
their own, including Saturnalia. It the return of the sun or light. I of the Western World, who blas-
is assumed that Christian church- think you have already identified phemed by using Christianity as an
es in the West moved the date to the striking similarities between extension of colonization.
December in 4th c. AD to disguise Saturnalia and Christmas, but I’ll The myth of white supremacy was
and celebrate Christmas while still indicate them. a laughable concept to Ethiopians
Romans celebrated Saturnalia. It is During Christmas, it is common to for two reasons. First, Ethiopi-
worth remembering here that Eu- stop work and busy oneself with ans were already Christians, while
ropeans did the very same thing to preparations, just as it was done Europeans were fighting pagan
Africans and to the rest of the col- to celebrate Saturnalia. The home wars and were under the hegemony
onized world, if not worse. As we decoration is truly a reminder of of the Roman Empire. Second,
all know, Europeans failed to learn Saturnalia. Christmas trees have Ethiopians were ruled by Kings
from the cruelty of their captivity become integral to Christmas. We and Queens who claimed to trace
for they imposed their religions, have already seen how homes are their lineages back to King Sol-
including Christmas celebration, decorated during Saturnalia with omon and Queen of Sheba. The
when they become colonizers and greenery, and it is the same with myth, mixed with history, portrays
slavers. Christmas trees. But as Jesus was Queen of Sheba (Nigist Saba) as
Saturnalia is a celebration in an- born in Spring, and He promis- an Ethiopian queen, who begot
cient Rome. It is a pagan festival es to bring the world salvation a child from King Solomon of
held in honor of Saturn – the agri- rather than harvest, the trees lack Israel. It is said that Queen Saba
cultural god. It was said to be cel- a religious component. Gift giving and King Solomon has a child
ebrated for an entire week starting has also been part of Saturnalia, named Menelik, who ruled Ethi-
in midwinter, in the sowing season. just as it is with modern Christ- opia. Every Ethiopian emperor
It extends from December 17-25, mas celebration. These and other claimed to possess a bloodline with
which coincides with Christmas. similarities point to the cultural and Menelik. Ethiopians were ruled by
The Temple of Saturn, construct- religious hegemony Romans had Kings rather than Chieftains and
ed in 4th century A.D in Rome, over most of Europe, and in turn, barbaric tribe leaders of Europe –
served as the center of Saturnalia it shows the hegemony of Europe- be it Celtics, Vikings or Nordics. It
festivities. The celebration had ans over most nations in the world is worth departing from this point
many rituals related to gift offer- through colonization. This ex- by emphasizing the fact that it was
ings and sacrifices to Saturn so that plains the uniqueness of Ethiopian Emperor Menelik II, who defeated
this god would endow the people Christmas, while also symbolizing the Italian colonizers in the bat-
with abundance during harvest. the true meaning of Ethiopian tle of Adwa, and Emperor Haile
Saturnalia continues to influence historical independence. Selassie, whose name echoes the
modern Christmas celebration in spirit of the Trinity, who defeated
noticeable manners. To start with History of Christianity in Ethi‑ the fascists. Christianity in Ethio-
all forms of work cease during Sat- opia pia, through the Orthodox Chris-
urnalia, even slaves were allowed Ethiopians converted to Christian- tian Church, gave birth to Kings
to participate in the celebration. ity in the 340 AD, when Ethiopia who championed freedom for all.
In token of humility, it was even flourished in its ancient Axumite Let us now proceed to the Christ-
said that the masters served their kingdom. While all agree with the mas celebration, according to the
slaves. The people busy themselves date, the kings responsible for teachings of the Orthodox Chris-
with home decorations, using green embracing Christianity differ. Some tian Church.

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