Genna

Genna is a name associated with several meanings and uses, most prominently as the Amharic term for Christmas in Ethiopia. In Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church communities, Genna denotes the Christmas celebration, which is observed on January 7 according to the Gregorian calendar. The holiday marks a major religious and cultural occasion, with liturgical services, processions, and festive meals.

Cultural practices during Genna often include dawn church prayers and a communal feast featuring traditional dishes such as injera served with dishes like doro wat and kitfo. Tej, a honey-wine beverage, is commonly enjoyed during the celebrations. In many communities, Genna is also associated with a traditional stick-and-ball game played by participants in the streets or open spaces, reflecting a seasonal spirit of fellowship and recreation.

Beyond its use in Ethiopian culture, Genna appears as a personal name in various regions and languages. It can be encountered as a given name or surname and is used in different contexts independent of the Ethiopian holiday. The name’s appearance in multilingual contexts can reflect local naming traditions and transliteration choices.

In diaspora and multicultural settings, Genna celebrations may adapt to local environments while preserving core elements of the religious observance and communal sharing. As a term, Genna thus covers both a specific Ethiopian Christmas holiday and its broader presence as a personal name in diverse communities.