Ethiopia's colourful Timkat festival arrives in town to celebrate major religious event

[rug]

The Orthodox Christian event takes place on January 19 to commemorate Jesus' baptism in River Jordan

Jan 20, 2014 17:31

Colourful umbrellas, flags and white robes lined the streets of Ethiopia to celebrate one of the most important days in the Orthodox Christian calendar.

Although relatively unknown by the outside world the Timkat festival is celebrated by around 40 million people who are members of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church.

Beginning celebrations the evening before, revellers head to rivers or pools of water at around 2am, which is blessed and then sprinkled on participants.

Some then enter the water to renew their baptismal vows before partaking in the main festival the following day.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/ethiopias-colourful-timkat-festival-arrives-3041340#.Ut3yd00o45s

3:44 video at link.