Tomorrow in Ethiopia will be the celebration of the Timkat or the Ethiopian festival celebrating the Epiphany.  This year, it takes place on 20 January given that it is a leap year, and on 19 January on regular years (which is the 10th day of the Terr – Ethiopian calendar).  This festival celebrates the baptism of Jesus Christ on the Jordan river by John the Baptist (Matthew 3:13–17; Mark 1:9–11; Luke 3:21–23).  It is particularly praised for its reenactment of the baptism.  Pilgrims come from around the country to celebrate the Epiphany, which lasts three days.  During the ceremonies of Timkat, the Tabot, a model of the Ark of the Covenant, is reverently wrapped in rich cloth and borne in procession on the head of the most senior priest to a place near the river, where a special tent will be erected for it.

The best place for the celebration is in Gondar at the Fasilides Castle: a Pure Gem of Ethiopia’s Rich History. Given our previous articles, the Timkat Festival of Epiphany and Timkat or the Ethiopian Epiphany, this year, we will show a video of a previous celebration at the Fasilides Castle in Gondar. Enjoy!