Ethiopia’s Holy Festival of Timket and its Significance

Ethiopia’s historic holy city of Gondar is hosting the annual Ethiopian Orthodox Christian festival of Timket, marking the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan. Despite recent conflicts in the Amhara region, celebrations have continued, albeit in a more subdued manner, with armed police officers securing the festivities. The main event on Saturday witnessed hundreds of youngsters using the pool in front of Gondar’s fortresses to be baptized. The festival also includes the procession of replicas of the Ark of Covenant, carried by choirs through the streets. This article explores the significance of Timket and showcases the resilience of the Ethiopian people in preserving their religious traditions amidst the challenges they face.