The Ethiopian Orthodox Christmas celebration on January 7 is called Ganna, also spelled Genna.
Ganna is the Ethiopian name commonly used for Christmas, while Ledet or Leddat is another name for the celebration. It is observed on 7 January because Ethiopia follows its own calendar system, which differs from the Gregorian calendar used in much of the world. The date corresponds to 29 Tahsas in the Ethiopian calendar.
Many Ethiopian Christians prepare through a lengthy fast, traditionally lasting 40 days. Christmas worship often includes an overnight or early-morning church service, processions around churches, candlelight, chanting, and distinctive ceremonial clothing. Pilgrims especially visit the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela during the season.
Ganna is not the same as Timkat, which follows about 12 days later and commemorates the baptism of Jesus. Enkutatash is Ethiopian New Year, while Meskel commemorates the discovery of the True Cross. The related word gena also names a traditional Ethiopian stick-and-ball game played around the holiday.