Timkat – Ethiopian Epiphany Jan 19 / 20
$750.00
- Timkat, the Ethiopian Orthodox equivalent to Epiphany, is celebrated at churches throughout the country on January 19. The best place to be during Timkat is Gondar, where the festivities culminate in a crowded and colourful afternoon re-enactment of the first baptism at the 17th century Fasil’s Pool, which is filled with water for the occasion.
- On the final day of the event, all men and women except for priests wear clean white traditional Ethiopian robes and followed by a procession that is led by the priests who however are dressed in luxuriant fabrics with luxuriously big and embellished umbrellas. There is singing and dancing while carrying religiously symbolic ornaments such as the holy cross. During the parade, the priests spray over the holy water on the onlookers. When all this is going on, some elderly choose to stick to the traditional ceremonial services such as holding the fans while other recites verses from the bible.