Serving the Pilgrims in Ethiopian Christmas (Gena)
Across almost all faith traditions, feeding a traveler or pilgrim is viewed not merely as a charitable act, but as a sacred duty. This practice, often referred to as “hospitality to the stranger,” is rooted in the belief that the host serves the Divine through the guest.
In Lalibela, the celebration of Genna (Ethiopian Christmas) on January 7th is not just a religious event but a monumental feat of hospitality. Thousands of pilgrims, many of whom walk for weeks from rural provinces, descend upon the “New Jerusalem.”
As PBF hasn’t been just a charity organisation rather as it is existence in Lalibela has been more like a family hood relationship, we respect and share these spiritual values.
We have been offering the two major activities for the last few consecutive years.
1. The Ritual of feet washing
The washing of pilgrims’ feet in Lalibela is a direct imitation of Jesus washing the feet of his disciples. In the Ethiopian Orthodox tradition, this is not just a symbolic church rite but a grassroots act of service performed by the local community.
As pilgrims arrive—dusty and exhausted—and Because many pilgrims walk without shoes over rugged volcanic terrain, their feet are often blistered or calloused.
PBF has a volunteers team selected from the PBF beneficiaries who welcomes the pilgrims and washes their feet every year. And our trustees on the ground are always part of this activity from organising to washing feet. This year alone we could serve over 8,000 pilgrims and received more blessings.
2. Feeding the Pilgrims
Many pilgrims travel with minimal supplies, relying on the generosity of villagers along the route. This “walking faith” means they arrive in Lalibela physically exhausted but spiritually heightened.
The same with the last few years, we had a pilgrim’s menu serving a clean drinking water, a bread and injera with shiro(a commonly used bean powder stew) for each pilgrims who just get washed their feet.
All the pilgrims who get washed their feet have got the same meal. PBF is all about humanity and we do this because the act of feeding a pilgrim is seen as feeding Christ himself, mirroring the biblical hospitality shown to the Holy Family.
Key Takeaway: Hospitality in Lalibela during Genna is viewed as a spiritual investment.
In Lalibela, the acts of feeding and feet washing are deeply intertwined, forming a ritualized welcome for the hundreds of thousands of pilgrims who arrive for Genna (Ethiopian Christmas). Many of these pilgrims travel barefoot for weeks, making these gestures both physically necessary and spiritually profound.
Mesay Mekuant