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Where's the party?
Timkat is celebrated all over Ethiopia, but nowhere is it
quite as spectacular as in Lalibela, an isolated mountain
town in the arid north of the country. Lalibela is famous
for its architectural curiosities. Over a thousand years ago
11 churches were carved out of solid rock, and many Ethiopians
believe they were built by angels.
The festivities begin in the 3rd week of January, the day
before Epiphany which, according to the Julien calendar, falls
on 19th January. January 20th is the feast of St Michael the
Archangel.
What happens at Timkat?
Timkat is the most important festival in the Ethiopian calendar.
Crowds of revellers, all dressed in white, dance and sing
in the streets to the beating of drums. Priests, decked out
in jewel encrusted velvet and satin robes, carry a replica
of Arc of the Covenant known as a talbot in a grand
procession through the streets.
The procession arrives at a water source and events culminate
at 2am, when the priests perform mass and bless the water.
A communal baptism follows, with the most fervent Christians
throwing themselves fully clothed into the water.
On 20th January a dancing, singing throng surrounds the church,
celebrating the big day of Ethiopia's favourite Saint.
What's the history of the festival?
Epiphany is the 12th day of Christmas, when the three kings
were said to have bestowed their gifts upon the baby Jesus.
This day falls on 6th January in the western calendar.
Christianity came to Ethiopia long before it spread to Europe.
Missionaries came here within 40 years of the birth of Jesus. |
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