Video: Embassy of FDR Ethiopia (Source)
The Ethiopian Epiphany is a vibrant festival held in Ethiopia to commemorate the Jordan River baptism of Jesus Christ by John the Baptist. On 19 January, the commemoration begins on the eve of the main festival. The eve is referred to as Ketera, which implies stopping the flow of water for the celebrants’ blessing. People accompany their parish church tabot (replica of the Ark of the Covenant) to Timkete-Bahir (a lake, river or artificial reservoir) on the eve of Ketera, transported by a parish priest and followed by a grand ceremony. People spend the night attending long evening prayers and hymn services, including the Liturgy of the Eucharist. The real festival is attended by hundreds of thousands on the next day, 19 January. The celebration begins with pre-sunrise rituals early in the morning. These are accompanied by the congregation’s sprinkling of the blessed water, as well as other ceremonies. Each tabot starts its procession back to its corresponding church at about 10 a.m., involving an even more colourful ceremony with different traditional and religious songs. Through its ongoing practice, the viability of the element is assured, with Orthodox clergy playing a pivotal role: they sing the praises dedicated to the rituals and hymns, bear the Ark, and preach related texts.
Content Edited by Atlanta Mahanta
Data inputs from unesco.org