Timkat

timkatIn the Ethiopian calendar, Baptism is considered the most important religious holiday and is called Timkat. This holiday lasts three days.

Spectators and participants of the festival get the opportunity to see the ancient church tradition. Solemn music, wonderful food, interesting picturesque procession - all this takes place throughout Ethiopia.

On the eve of the feast ketera (priests), debteras (deacons) and parishioners take out of the church tabot (usually a small slab of wood, sometimes a stone, personifying the tablets with the Ten Commandments) and solemnly carry it to the river or to the water. Keters wear beautiful bright ceremonial robes. Tabot, wrapped in beautiful and richly decorated materials, is traditionally carried on the head by one of the priests.

When the procession reaches the water, the tabot is placed in a special ceremonial tent, and the priests and most revered parishioners pray all night long. The solemn service begins around two o'clock in the morning.

The next day, the main moment of the holiday is sprinkled with holy water. After that, the tabot is transferred back to the church with songs and dances that last all day.