Timkat: Ethiopia’s Celebration of Epiphany

Corresponding with the 10^th day of Terr on the Ethiopian calendar, Timkat is the country’s celebration of Jesus’ baptism. With 32 million Ethiopian Orthodox Christians making up 43 percent of the population, this celebration of the Epiphany is one of the country’s most important holidays.

Timkat in Addis Ababa © Derejeb | Dreamstime

Of all the celebrations in Ethiopia, Gondar’s is the most well known thanks to its iconic Fasilides’ Bath, part of the 17^th-century castle complex built by King Fasilides, emperor of Ethiopia and member of the Solomonic dynasty. Unlike Western Christianity, in which the Epiphany commemorates the visit of the three Magi, the Ethiopian Orthodox celebrates the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River.

The festivities begin on the eve of Timkat, when the church’s Tabot (a replica of the Ark of the Covenant present in all Ethiopian churches) is wrapped in colorful cloth and carried out on the head of a priest, signifying the manifestation of Jesus as the Messiah. The Divine Liturgy is celebrated very early, around 2 a.m., with a vigil being held until sunrise.

Fasilides’ Bath, Gondar © Sylvain Naessens | Dreamstime

As golden rays of light begin to illuminate the grounds, large crowds of devotees dressed in traditional white robes called shamma begin to congregate around the pool. The water is blessed and sprinkled on the crowds, with many of them jumping straight into the water and completely submerging themselves, Ethiopia’s ritual reenactment of Jesus’s baptism.

Congregants sing and dance their way back to the church to return the Tabot, surrounded by a colorful mixture of parasols, vibrant church clothing and the traditional white robes. The holiday is finished with a feast to celebrate the renewal of their baptismal vows.

Timkat in Lalibela © Sylvain Naessens | Dreamstime