I traveled to eastern Ethiopia to document the Kulubi celebration at St. Gabriel Ethiopian Orthodox Church at the end of July, 2008, and the following is a draft of the photo story I am putting together about the celebration.
A middle-aged amputee displays his prosthetic legs in a plea for pocket change from festival goers on their way up the steps to St. Gabriel church at Kulubi in Eastern Ethiopia. Ethiopian Orthodox faithful come to Kulubi for the bi-annual festival to ask Gabriel to deliver thanks to God for the fulfillment of a prayer. Tens of thousands come to Kulubi each festival to perform "selet" - a task one promises to perform in thanks for good fortune or answered prayers. For many, part of their "selet" is providing for the poor.
A middle-aged amputee displays his prosthetic legs in a plea for pocket change from festival goers on their way up the steps to St. Gabriel church at Kulubi in Eastern Ethiopia. Ethiopian Orthodox faithful come to Kulubi for the bi-annual festival to ask Gabriel to deliver thanks to God for the fulfillment of a prayer. Tens of thousands come to Kulubi each festival to perform "selet" - a task one promises to perform in thanks for good fortune or answered prayers. For many, part of their "selet" is providing for the poor.
