Worshipers and tourists flock to celebrate Ethiopia's Coptic Epiphany

(19 Jan 2026)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Batu town, Ethiopia – 18 January 2026
1. Various of Ethiopian Orthodox Christian faithful celebrating Epiphany at Lake Dambal (Hora-Dambal) in Batu, Oromia Region
2. SOUNDBITE (English) George James, Italian Tourist:
"I’m impressed by the beauty of the place, the mood, the vibes. You can feel it; you can have an experience of that. This lake, these people, the celebration—what you’re celebrating is amazing."
3. Wide of Ethiopian Orthodox Christian faithful celebrating Epiphany on boats
4. Various of Christian faithful gathering and singing spiritual songs at location where the Holy Ark of the Covenant will be placed
5. SOUNDBITE (English) Svenja Kruger, German Tourist:
"I was on a boat today for the first time experiencing Timket here in Zeway (Batu), and it’s been such an honor to document this beautiful celebration.”
6. Various of faithful singing, playing drums and dancing

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Batu town, Ethiopia – 19 January 2026
7. Wide of the gate of Dambal Lake
8. Various of priests and faithful celebrating Epiphany
9. SOUNDBITE (English) Asnake Dechasa, Ethiopian Orthodox Church:
"The meaning of Epiphany Jesus Christ from Galilee and to, you know, from directly from Galilee to Jordan, okay, and Baptist by Saint John. So this is like for unity and a peace and holiday of, okay, Christians, okay? Christians. They are like, you know, sharing to others, people. They are living together. So we Ethiopians, we have like, the unity of like, you know, we have, you know, social capital is not only Christian society to like, you know, celebrate this holiday so the, you know, different part of Ethiopia and from abroad country, they are coming to here, and we are celebrated very colorfully and unforgettable time we are spending here in Dambal Lake.”
10. Various of Ethiopian Orthodox Christian faithful celebrating Epiphany, singing and dancing
11. SOUNDBITE (English) Pier Nirandara, Thai Tourist:
"It's been an incredible celebration, really really, special to see such an authentic celebration of ethiopian culture here at the lake.”
12. Various of the Epiphany celebration
STORYLINE:
Millions of Christians have celebrated Timket, the Ethiopian Epiphany, throughout the East African country, with lively traditional singing, rhythmic dancing and communal celebrations.

In Batu, a town located at the western shore of Lake Dambal (Hora-Dambal) in the Oromia Region, thousands took part in a colorful celebration, similar to the ceremonies held in major cities such as the capital Addis Ababa and Gondar.

The Holy Ark of the Covenant, known as tabots, which traditionally contains the "Ten Commandments," is escorted from churches to the lakeshore with chants, hymns, crosses, and colorful ceremonial umbrellas.

Faithful residents and pilgrims gather along the shores and on boats or nearby islands, transforming the lake into a vibrant stage of devotion.

At dawn on Epiphany Day, priests bless the lake water and sprinkle holy water upon the believers.

Many attendees enter the water, symbolically reenacting baptism and embracing the festival’s themes of purification, renewal, and faith.

Asnake Dechasa, a deacon at the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, emphasized that the celebration of Epiphany goes beyond mere festivity.

"The meaning of Epiphany Jesus Christ from Galilee and to, you know, from directly from Galilee to Jordan, okay, and Baptist by Saint John. So this is like for unity and a peace and holiday,” Dechasa told The Associated Press.



For Italian tourist George James, everything is "colorful”.






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