20th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Travel
Melkam Genna!

Ethiopian Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas - called Genna - all night long. Many of the pilgrims enjoy a rest during the roughly 14 hours of celebrations, others pray on their own or dance in groups. All this can be best witnessed from the outer walls of the rock-hewn churches.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 01.2019
Date Uploaded: 11.2022
Photo Location: Lalibela, Ethiopia
Copyright: © Gustav Bogendoerfer