ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia – As millions of Ethiopian Orthodox Christian worshippers gathered across the capital to mark Good Friday this week, the quiet solemnity of the annual religious observance gave way to growing economic uncertainty, with cascading global disruptions from conflict in the Middle East triggering crippling fuel scarcity and soaring food prices that have dampened holiday preparations across the country.
Unlike the majority of Christian communities worldwide, who celebrated Easter on April 5, Ethiopian Orthodox Christians follow a unique ancient calendar that places their Easter observance on the coming Sunday. Good Friday marks the end of Abiy Tsom, a rigorous 55-day period of communal fasting and prayer that culminates in a peaceful vigil, where worshippers don traditional white woven garments to gather, seek forgiveness from one another, and prepare for the joy of Easter. This year, however, economic strain has disrupted decades-old communal holiday traditions.
The most visible disruption has hit the traditional practice of slaughtering animals for shared Easter feasts, a central part of the holiday’s communal celebration. Multiple residents in Addis Ababa report that prices for sacramental animals have nearly doubled in the lead-up to this year’s observance. Livestock sellers explain the steep price hike stems directly from spiking transportation costs, as fuel shortages have made moving cattle, sheep and poultry from rural grazing areas to urban markets far more expensive than in previous years.
Samuel Teshome, an Addis Ababa resident, told reporters his family can no longer afford to purchase a sheep for their holiday feast, a tradition his household has kept for generations. Another local resident, Sirawdink Admaus, added that even the cost of a small rooster – a more affordable alternative for many working families – has also nearly doubled, putting even modest holiday meals out of reach for thousands.
Worshippers and workers alike are also grappling with a widespread national fuel shortage. Fuel stations across Addis Ababa and surrounding regions sit nearly empty, with only a handful able to keep limited supplies in stock. Desperate business operators have turned to unregulated black market suppliers, where fuel costs are marked up far beyond official government prices, worsening the economic strain on households and industries.
For public transport workers like minibus driver Tefera Aragaw, the fuel crisis has gutted his livelihood in the lead-up to the holiday. Aragaw told reporters he and other drivers have waited three straight days and nights at local fuel stations, with no guarantee they will be able to purchase any fuel at all. The lost work days have already erased critical income, leaving him expecting a quiet, muted celebration with his family.
In response to the worsening crisis, Ethiopia’s federal government has implemented emergency cost-cutting measures to stretch limited fuel supplies. Most non-essential public servants have been permitted to work from home to cut down on commuting-related fuel use, and authorities have moved to prioritize fuel allocations for critical emergency and essential services, including healthcare and public safety.
The ongoing economic strain in Ethiopia comes as global commodity markets continue to roil in the wake of escalating conflict between Iran and Israel, with supply chain disruptions driving up energy and food costs across much of the developing world.