Starting on 25 November, the fast believed to be "cleansing the body of sin" as they await the birth of Jesus.

[5] On Christmas Day, a thin white cotton garment called netela is worn.

On the Christmas Eve, Ethiopian Christians attend an overnight church service, usually starting around 6:00pm and finishing at 3:00am.

[6] Gena (ገና) or Qarsa (ቃርሳ) is a traditional field hockey game popular in the Ethiopian highlands.

[11] Historically, Imperial Ethiopian soldiers acquired proficiency in weapon use from a young age by being trained from childhood with games such as Akandura (Darts) and Gena, which imitated combat.