BY MENGISTEAB TESHOME
Every year, on the 19th of January, Ethiopians celebrate Timket (Ethiopian Epiphany), with various religious and cultural rites for three days in a row.
Ethiopia’s Epiphany is celebrated in an open-air within its unique features where priests carry Tabots or replicas of the Ark of the Covenant, which are found in every church and monastery of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, to communal baptism places.
The commemoration starts on the eve of the main festival on January 18. On the eve of Timket, known as Ketera which is a Geez word and to mean blocking the flow of water, people escort the Tabots (replicas of the Ark of the Covenant) to Timkete-Bahir (a pool, river or artificial reservoir). The Tabots are transported by priests of the parish accompanied by laities with greater spiritual ceremonies and songs.
The Epiphany festival does not leave anyone behind. Non-believers, visitors and fellow citizens from various backgrounds get together to attend the festival as it is a venue where attendees participate freely, understand, appreciate and enjoy other ethnic groups’ cultures.
Student at St. Paul- Spiritual Collage and Gospel teacher at Kechene Debre Selam Medhane Alem Church, Dawit Amare said that Epiphany has great lesson to all humankind and helps to develop the quality of living in peace with mutual understanding, respect each other, and build peace values. As Epiphany or Timket is one of the biggest outdoor religious festivals carried out to commemorate the Baptism of Jesus Christ in the hands of John the Baptist, number spiritual events will be practiced.
According to him, though Timket is a religious holiday that is celebrated mainly by the followers of the Ethiopian Orthodox and Catholic Churches, followers of other religious institutions also attend the festival in the spirit of togetherness and unity. Thus, Timket is a festival of togetherness, unity, and peace.
“In Ethiopia Epiphany is celebrated in a special way for three consecutive days in the presence of hundreds of thousands of people, regardless of their ethnic and religious background.
I can dare to say that Timket is among the main celebrations that create a spirit of unity and friendship among people with different religious and ethnic backgrounds in public places. One can hear music in several languages and dance performances of different cultures; all are different, but are very attractive, beautiful and interesting. This tells that it is a grand event to demonstrate togetherness.
From my point of view, the festival is an indication of kindheartedness, affection, closeness and solidarity among societies that have different cultural backgrounds,” he reiterated. Ethiopian Literature and Folklore Instructor at Wollo University Dr. Birhan Assefa for his part said that Epiphany is celebrated in northern parts of Ethiopia especially in Wollo, around Dessie warmly in a manner Muslims accompany Christians while they escort the Tabots.
Epiphany is the festival where togetherness is reflected, neighbors share food and drinks; and at the same time they take time to discuss common concerns. “In our town Dessie, societies, both Christians and Muslims work for the peaceful celebration of the Epiphany festival. The University is also working along with religious and public leaders to strengthen the value of the festival more than ever before.
“I had the opportunity to celebrate Epiphany in Gondar and Addis Ababa. And I have witnessed that the festival is all about peace, love and sharing good moments. While celebrating festivals, such as Timket, maintaining the deep-rooted culture of the community is very crucial.”
As to him, it is high time to safeguard the value of togetherness among the societies. “In my view, we all should work hard to safeguard the values of the Epiphany because it is an important platform where the social fabrics of the community are further strengthened; the great bond that has helped Ethiopia stand in unison.
The Ethiopian Herald January 19/2023
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