Timkat (Epiphany)

Timkat (Epiphany) Timket Festival or the Ethiopian Feast of Epiphany is an extremely colorful festival celebrated to commemorate the baptism of Jesus Christ in the Jordan River. This is the greatest festival of the year, taking place two weeks after the Ethiopian Christmas. It is actually a three-day affair, beginning on the Eve of Timkat with dramatic and colorful processions. The following morning the great day itself, Christ's baptism in the Jordan River by John the Baptist is commemorated. The third day is devoted to the Feast of St. Michael, the archangel, one of Ethiopia's most popular saints.On the Eve of Timkat Festival, the replicas of the Ark of the Covenant, called Tabots, of the tablets bearing the Ten Commandments, come out in colorful procession to the place where the actual ceremony takes place; the Tobots are wrapped in cloths and it is a rare opportunity to observe these precious Tabots outside of the confines of the churches which normally house them. On the following day, at dawn the royal bath is blessed and its waters are sprinkled on the participants, who are then invited to renew their baptismal vows by immersing themselves in the water. The festivities don’t end there. The remainder of the day is spent in celebration, culminating in a colorful procession during which the Tabots are escorted back to the churches. The many-hued robes and umbrellas of the clergy illuminate the city streets with unforgettable colors, which move about as the participants perform joyous dances and songs; children run about shouting and playing with sticks and games. Rhythmic songs and dances shake the ground and surge endlessly from dawn to dusk, when the Tabots have been safely restored to their church homes. On the third day, the Tabot of St. Michael, the Archangel, will be accompanied to its church in greatly colorful procession with the horsemen cavort alongside, their mounts handsomely decorated with red tassels, embroidered saddlecloths, and silver bridles as well as with singing and leaping priests, young men and all the people in all directions.