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Timkat (Ethiopian Epiphany)
The Ethiopian Orthodox celebration of the Baptism of Christ — the most spectacular festival in Africa.
📅 January 19 – 3 days
✦ Why It Matters
Timkat is the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church's commemoration of Jesus's baptism. Recognized by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage, it is one of the most visually spectacular religious festivals in the world.
✦ How It Is Observed
The tabot (replica of the Ark of the Covenant) is carried in procession to a water source. All-night vigil with singing and prayer. At dawn, the priest blesses the water and sprinkles the crowd. White Ethiopian garments throughout.
✦ Sacred Text
“As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove.”
— Matthew 3:16-17 ↗