What is Timket in Ethiopia?
Timkat, which translates as ‘baptism’, celebrates the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist in the River Jordan. Ethiopians embrace this annually with a mass baptism at different waterfronts or sacred pools around the country, the top spots being Lalibela, Gondar, and Addis Ababa.
What festivals are celebrated in Ethiopia?
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)
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.
Is the True Cross in Ethiopia?
The Ethiopia True Cross festival is held in Meskel Square (named after the festival) in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia. Every year on September 26th, thousands of Ethiopians descend on the space dressed in colourful robes.
What is the most celebrated holiday in Ethiopia?
Sept 12 (Sept 11 in leap years). Countrywide. The country’s most important secular holiday, Enkutatash, or Ethiopian New Year, is celebrated vigorously throughout Ethiopia, with a similar party atmosphere to New Year festivities anywhere in the world.
How do Ethiopians celebrate the Epiphany?
The people spend the night attending night-long prayers and hymn services, including the Eucharistic Liturgy. Hundreds of thousands participate in the actual festival on the following day – 19 January. The celebration starts early in the morning with pre-sunrise rituals.
What is the first religion in Ethiopia?
Christianity in Ethiopia is the largest religion in the country, the Ethiopian community at large, and dates back to the early medieval Kingdom of Aksum, when the King Ezana first adopted the faith in 330 AD. This makes Ethiopia one of the first regions in the world to officially adopt Christianity.