Timket, Ethiopian Exclusive Carnival

Special to Ethiopia, this colorful three-day annual carnival, Timket is celebrated on the 20th of January to commemorate Christ’s baptism. The celebration dates back to the 16th century and involves laying long red carpet on streets, worshiping, feasting and procession.

During this religious festival, the streets are filled with pilgrims who come to re-enact the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River and take a dip in the holy waters. The celebration is also a time when people meet their future significant other. Jovago, Africa’s leading online hotel booking company brings you to this not to be missed spectacular festival.

Celebration begins on the 19th of January which is known as Ketera meaning eve of Timket. On this day the Tabots, a model of the Ark of the Covenant, is carried by a chosen priests in a procession to the blessed water. The Tabots is wrapped in silk clothing placed on the heads of priests, who parade the streets. The priests, clad in ceremonial clothing are escorted by the jubilating crowd as they make their way to the baptism location.

Dressed in the dazzling and sparkling white (habesha libise) traditional clothing, people march several streets following the models of the Ark of Covenant to pay their respect. Priests sprinkle the holy water on the large crowd in commemoration of Christ’s baptism while others get dipped into the pool while fully dressed to get baptized.

Read more at: Ethiopian Herald