Ethiopia celebrate the babptisim of Jesus Christ ጥምቀት 🇪🇹

Timket Festival Tradition
Traditionally Timket is celebrated on 19th January every year with an exception in the leap year when it is celebrated on 20th January. The celebration corresponds to the 10th day of Terr according to the Ethiopian calendar. The festival is famous for its re-enactment of baptism ritual of Christ at the River Jordan. The traditional ceremony of the festival includes respectfully carrying the Tabot – a model of the Ark of the Covenant wrapped in rich silk cloth by the priest on his head to the nearby water body.
Timket Festival Celebrations
Timket festival is celebrated to commemorate the divine ritual of the baptism of Christ in the Jordan River. The celebrations start from the eve of the festival which is on 18th January at 2 pm local time with traditional horns that herald the celebrations with colourful processions and ceremonies. The main ceremony commences with the priest solemnly carrying the Tabot which is a model of the Ark of the Covenant, reverently wrapped in rich silk cloth to the nearby stream at around 2am on 19th January. The Tabot is a representation of Jesus as the Messiah when he came to the Jordan River for baptism. The Holy Ark is immersed in the water by one priest whilst the other chants some prayers. Once the Ark is baptised, the priest then blesses the water body and sprinkles some of the blessed water on the devotees. Thereafter the Holy Ark is carried back to its church amidst lots of chanting, music, and dancing.