ADDIS ABABA – Ethiopians Orthodox faithful living inside and outside colorfully celebrated Epiphany yesterday and celebrants on the occasion said Timket (Ethiopian Epiphany) celebration vividly symbolizes unique coming together of Ethiopians.
Addressing the masses in connection with the holiday at Jan meda here, Abune Matios, Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, said : “This year’s inscription of Timket on UNESCO as one of world intangible cultural heritage has reminded all of us to uphold core values of Timket festivity that are living in harmony, caring for each other, sharing what you have with your fellow man/women and celebrating the holiday together regardless of ethnic and religion background .
He went on saying that all Ethiopians have to discharge their responsibilities in protecting and conserving the unique values of Timket.
For her part, FDRE President Sahle-Work Zewde, said at the celebration in Gondar that Ethiopia inscribed fourteen heritages on the list of UNESCO and the government is doing its level best to inscribe more. “Those kinds of heritages make us different from the rest of the world and the youth have to fulfill their responsibilities in protecting and passing down these heritages to posterity.”
At the Jan Meda event, Getu Asefa UNESCO Representative said this religious festival is being celebrated at the eve of its inscription. “It is among the most important intangible religious and cultural heritage. Such large numbers of turnout have proved the importance of the heritage apart from showcasing unity in diversity,” he added.
Meron Haile is among the celebrants of the festival. The festival brings millions of Ethiopians together for mass worship every year. She said that, Timket is not only religious celebration, but also platform various cultural exchange on the top creating strong social cohesion.
She further said as all walks of people come to attend the celebration , if you are lucky enough and bachelor or spinster, you will find your soulmate in such occasion.
These days, the celebration is becoming so attractive for tourists. Thomson Bruce is from Switzerland attending this year’s Timket celebration at Jan Meda. He said people celebrate Epiphany in other countries but the procession and ritual of Ethiopian Epiphany are unique and fascinating as both male and female faithful and festival goers are well decorated in beautiful cultural and religious dressing, he said.
Ethiopian Epiphany is a colorful festival celebrated all over the country to commemorate the baptism of Jesus Christ by John the Baptist in the River Jordan. The commemoration starts on the eve of the main festival. The eve is known as Ketera, which means blocking the flow of water for the blessing of the celebrants.
On the eve of Ketera, people companion their neighborhood church tabot replicas of the Ark of the Covenant to Timkete-Bahir a pool, river or artificial reservoir, transported by a priest of the neighborhood and accompanied by a great ceremony. The people spend the night attending night-long prayers and hymn services. After that each tabot begins its procession back to its respective church. Hundreds of thousands participate in the actual festival.
The Ethiopian Herald January 21/2020
BY HAILE DEMEKE
