Timket – Ethiopian Epiphany

Timket commemorates the baptism of Jesus Christ by John the Baptist in the Jordan River. It is celebrated on January 19, or January 20 in a leap year. It is a 2 day affair.

Every Ethiopian Orthodox Church has a “tabot”, a replica of the Ark of the Covenant, or the stone on which was written the Ten Commandments – this is kept covered, inside the “Holy of Holies”, only accessible to the clergy.

The day before Timket the tabots are taken out from the nearby churches and carried to a place representing the baptism site – either a pool, river, or if there is no water there normally, water is brought to the site. The tabot is covered by embroidered cloth and carried on the head by the priest. The procession of the tabots is accompanied by singing, drumming and chanting.

On the 19th early in the morning, the head of the churches bless the water and then sprinkle it over the people congregated there. The tabots remain in place for one or two days, before being returned to their churches, again with much chanting and drumming.

This itinerary takes in major sites on Ethiopia’s Historic Route, with Timket in Gondar and a trip to the Simien Mountains. This is a summary, a detailed itinerary is available on request.