Massachusetts Ethiopian Support Association
Events
MESA hosts three annual events in an effort to keep the Ethiopian-American community members in Massachusetts connected to their heritage and each other. These events are Ethiopian New Year, Adwa Poetry Night and Family Day. All three are very popular among our community members and tend to bring a large turnout every year.
For those interested in volunteering, MESA could use your assistance in the preparation before and on the days of these large events.
Ethiopian New Year
We celebrate our New Year, called Enkutatash, on September 11th (or 12th during a leap year) according to the Gregorian calendar. Enkutatash translates to "gift of jewels" and is believed to mark the return of the Queen of Sheba after receiving jewels from King Solomon. It also coincides with the end of the rainy season and the beginning of sunny days. MESA organize large gatherings with traditional music, dance performances, and fashion shows.
Adwa Victory Day
MESA celebrates Adwa Victory Day on or around March 2nd to honor the brave soldiers who fought for Ethiopian independence and to commemorate the Ethiopian victory against Italian colonization in 1896. This might involve parades, flag raisings, speeches, and cultural performances.
Family Day
We host Ethiopian Family Day around July/Aug every year in celebrating Ethiopian Culture with traditional music, authentic Ethiopian food, traditional coffee ceremony, as well as fun activities for children and all age groups.
Don't miss out!