Ethiopians celebrate Meskel holiday amid Tigray conflict

Millions of Christians in Ethiopia have gathered to celebrate Meskel, a religious holiday commemorating the discovery of the True Cross by the Roman empress Helena. Recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, the festival also marks the end of the rainy season and the beginning of spring in the agrarian society.

Despite the festivities, the celebrations occur amidst ongoing conflict in the northern Tigray region, which has expanded into the neighboring Amhara and Afar regions. The instability has caused disruptions, including flight cancellations that have prevented some travelers from reaching family members in conflict zones. There are also concerns regarding the potential involvement of neighboring Eritrea in the fighting.