Celebrating Ethiopian Christmas with the brethren and sistren of the House of Nyabinghi, Thaba 'Nchu.
05:03AM. A cold morning in Thaba 'Nchu. The elders stand around the pyre where the community has gathered at first light to celebrate Ethiopian Christmas.
The heartbeat of the drums forms the backbone for the chanting of the Ethiopian anthem which marks the opening and the sealing of all Nyabinghi ceremonies.
My friend Monaheng (on the right) and his brethren chant the Ethiopian anthem.
Wrapped in blankets to keep the cold at bay, three sistren are lost in thought.
"Lord, how long shall the wicked triumph?" Ras Hero reads Psalm 94 as the sun rises over the horizon.
Ras Fireman lights the pyre to initiate the celebration.
Ras Fireman lights the pyre to initiate the celebration.
Brethren and sistren touring the Fire Key at sunrise. The community circles the fire in a continuous, chanting procession to purify and seal the sacred ground.
Brethren and sistren touring the Fire Key at sunrise. The community circles the fire in a continuous, chanting procession to purify and seal the sacred ground.
Brethren and sistren touring the Fire Key at sunrise. The community circles the fire in a continuous, chanting procession to purify and seal the sacred ground.
Brethren and sistren touring the Fire Key at sunrise. The community circles the fire in a continuous, chanting procession to purify and seal the sacred ground.
Brethren and sistren touring the Fire Key at sunrise. The community circles the fire in a continuous, chanting procession to purify and seal the sacred ground.
Inside the tent for the main Tabernacle service.
Inside the tent for the main Tabernacle service.
Inside the tent for the main Tabernacle service.
Elders light the chalice to smoke the sacred herb.
Time for introspection and contemplation around the remains of the Fire Key at the end of the day.
Time for introspection and contemplation around the remains of the Fire Key at the end of the day.