Why do they celebrate the Timkat festival in Gondar?
Timkat commemorates Christ’s baptism and takes place over 3 days. The most important day is the 19th of January and this is when the blessing of water and reaffirming of baptism vows to take place.
What is Santa called in Ethiopia?
Santa Claus is a fairly recent visitor to Ethiopia, only being known about through ‘western’ Christmas traditions. In the Amharic language, Father Christmas or Santa Claus is called ‘Yágena Abãt’ which means ‘Christmas Father’.
What are Ethiopian festivals?
Festivals in Ethiopia
- Ethiopian Christmas (Leddet/Genna) (7th January)
- Epiphany (Timket) (19th January)
- Enkutatash (New Year) (11th September)
- Meskel (Finding of the True Cross) (27th September)
- Great Ethiopian Run (November)
What is Meskel celebration in Ethiopia?
Meskel is a festival in celebration of Helena, mother of Emperor Constantine, finding the true cross upon which Jesus was crucified. Mirrored in many ways by Ash Wednesday in the west, the festival competes for top billing and is considered the most important festival for the laity and ordained alike.
What is Timqat in Ethiopia?
Timkat (Amharic: ጥምቀት T’imik’et, literally “Baptism”; also spelled Timqat) is the Orthodox Tewahedo celebration of Epiphany. It is celebrated on January 19th (or 20th in a leap year), corresponding to the 10th day of Terr in the Ethiopian calendar.
What is Timkat festival in Ethiopia?
Timkat celebrates the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan. This festival is best known for its ritual reenactment of baptism (similar to such reenactments performed by numerous Christian the Holy Land when they visit the Jordan). Ethiopian Tewahedo priests at a Timkat ceremony in Jan Meda.
What is Timket and how is it celebrated?
Timket traces its roots back to biblical times. In the early days of Judaism, a sacred box overlaid with gold was kept in the most holy place in the Jewish temple. Known as the Ark of the Covenant, it represented the coming Messiah. The town center of Gondar is overwhelmed with people during the Timket celebration.
What happened in Gondar?
The town center of Gondar is overwhelmed with people during the Timket celebration. Fast forward to the first millennium, when Jesus of Nazareth was hailed by many as that long-awaited Messiah.