Last week, Timket (Ethiopia’s Epiphany) was officially inscribed into the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) list of intangible cultural heritage of humanity, much to the excitement of Ethiopians all over the world. Not only does this move will bring an exposure to the unique religious festival of Timket to the rest of the world, but it will also surely play a role in triggering a new interest in Ethiopia within the world’s tourist community.
The inscription of Epiphany into UNESCO can draw tourists around the world, says Fanta Beyene, Director of Public and International Relations with Ethiopian Heritage Protection Authority.
Speaking to the Ethiopian Press Agency, he stated that Epiphany celebration became the 4th intangible cultural heritage of Ethiopia inscribed as world intangible heritage, next to Meskel, the Geda system, and Fichee Chambalaalla.
Also, the move will add on the ownership values in the fellow citizens’ mind and heart, as the celebration is a colorful festival celebrated all over Ethiopia to commemorate the baptism of Jesus Christ.
Many are thrilled following the news, including Abune Mathias, the Patriarch, who expressed his excitement and extended his appreciations to those who had played vital role in making it happen, issued a statement last week that went like this: “Congratulations; the most beloved and colorful holiday of ours, Timket, is listed as a world heritage by United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization.”
The church, Ethiopian government, and Ethiopians, especially followers of Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, and various other people have been advocating to get Timket recognized as one of the intangible world heritage.
The decision will further boost the image of Ethiopia in the face of the world, and could lead to an increase in the number of tourists coming to Ethiopia. All the pertinent stakeholders should work in collaboration in order to cultivate this opportunity, he noted.
The Ethiopian Epiphany is one of the emblematic religious and cultural festivals unique to Ethiopia, whose viability is ensured through continuous practice and the pivotal contribution of the Orthodox clergy.
The commemoration starts on the eve of the main festival, when people escort their parish church tabot, a representation of the Tables of the Law, to a pool, river or artificial reservoir. Celebrants then attend night-long prayers and hymn services, before taking part in the actual festival the following day, when each
tabot accompanied back to its church.
The viability of the element is ensured through its continued practice, with Orthodox clergies playing a pivotal role: they sing the praises dedicated to the rituals and hymns, carry the Ark, and preach relevant texts.
The writer approached an Orthodox Church priest who is serving at Debre Mewi St. Michael Church, Cathedral, Gebremariam Ayele, who said all Ethiopians are thrilled by the UNSECO move.
“Yes, Orthodox is present in Armenia, Syria, India, Ethiopia and Greek; this recognition will play a role in depicting the unique religious and cultural value this holiday carries to the rest of the world.”
As one of the follower I should make my contributions to depict the values of the epiphany and the baptism we had in the festival.
As to him, the senior leadership should keep on shaping the values to benefit the whole nation and work to strengthen the church.
“It is wonderful time for tourists to come and learn more about Ethiopia. In my view the UNESCO inscription of the festival is good news to all of us, as we had been waiting for this for a long time.”
The Ethiopian Herald December18, 2019
BY MENGISTEAB TESHOME
