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Ethiopia has a rich religious culture. Religious festivals draw thousands of Ethiopians to cities to commemorate ancient beliefs. Two of those festivals stand out for any Christian. They are Meskel and Timkat. These two festivals mark key events that involve Jesus Christ, who is believed to be the son of God. They believe God sent His only son to live like a man on earth many years ago to save men from evil. These festivals are of great value to Ethiopians, considering the effort they put into making them as colorful as they appear.
Meskel festival is a religious festival celebrated in Ethiopia on 27th September on the Gregorian calendar. The festival commemorates the day the actual cross on which Jesus Christ was crucified was found. That is why this day is also called Finding the True Cross. A lady named Helena, popularly known as Nigist Eleni found the cross. She had searched for long without any success until one day when she received a dream. In the dream, she saw herself lighting a big fire that produced a lot of smoke. The smoke led her to where the cross was buried. After finding the real cross on which Jesus was crucified, she lit torches to celebrate her success. This explains why celebrations in Ethiopia today involve the lighting of torches. Half of the cross was given to emperor Dawit of Ethiopia in the Middle Ages as an appreciation for the protection he had given to Christians.
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On the eve of Meskel, there are celebrations known as demera. Demera involves eating, drinking, dancing and other joyful celebrations. During this celebration, participants plant trees in marketplaces and their homes. The name Meskel comes from daises that are put on tall branches that are tied together. Those branches are then stacked together and set ablaze using participants’ torches. The procession encircles the burning branches, called demera, and chants memorable Meskel songs. A patriarch from the Ethiopian Orthodox church presides over the burning festival.
Faithfuls who cannot attend the public celebration create small cameras at home. Once the demera burns to ashes, they give interpretation depending on the direction in which it falls. On the same day, it is expected to rain to signify a prosperous year. The burning of these branches often goes on into the night. The next day, they went to the Meskel festival, where they burnt the demera. They pick up the ash and draw the cross sign on their foreheads. A lot of feasting and celebrations follow as it is considered they have found the cross.
The Timkat festival commemorates John the Baptist’s baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan. Pilgrims congregate from all over the country to celebrate the epiphany. It takes place on 19 January every year, so if you want to visit Ethiopia, this is the prime time. The festival lasts three days. The fantastic part of the whole festival is the re-enactment of the baptism of Jesus Christ.
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A model of the ark of the covenant, known as Talbot, leads the procession to a river. Only the senior priests can carry the Talbot to a specified spot in the river. Carrying the ark of the covenant to the river signifies the coming of Jesus to the river to be baptized by John the Baptist. The Ark of the Covenant contains the ten commandments God gave Moses on Mount Sinai. Talbot is holy, and only a few people can handle it.
The procession celebrates the river, where they bless the water in the stream. Early in the morning, at about 2 am, they sprinkle water on the participants. Some of them are immersed in water and renew their baptism vows. A large variety of local Ethiopian artefacts are available during the celebration. Crosses of different sizes, traditional attire, and body ornaments are used—all the people attending epiphany dress in white robes. The white robes signify purity and holiness. The colorful scene blends well with the Ethiopian songs sung during the festival. Being a night festival, you also get a chance to enjoy their ancient way of producing light.
On January 20th, traditional dances and drumming set the pace for the Timkat celebration. Exceptional food such as Injera, Shiro, kitfo and berbere is served. To a visitor, these are tasty meals you can only find in Ethiopia. They cook them with precision and add traditional spices to give the best taste. Ethiopia, an ancient civilization nation, boasts a rich culture. Religious festivals are held in ancient churches that Ethiopians believe were built by angels. These churches are mainly found in the Lalibela region in northern Ethiopia. See The Day of Epiphany in Pictures.
Ethiopia became a Christian country a long time ago before European countries. Missionaries were in Ethiopia as early as 40 years after the birth of Jesus. Its proximity to Egypt, a powerful kingdom, explains Ethiopia’s early civilization. The queen of Sheba visited Solomon, the king of Israel, and brought him gold and other precious gifts. Ethiopia had gold as early as those days. The incredible thing is that the country still values those ancient practices, and they have hardly changed despite the current changes.
For someone who wishes to visit Africa, there is no better country with a more affluent culture than Ethiopia. From its unique Gregorian calendar to its strange architecture and magical festivals, there is so much to see beyond what can be written. There is also so much traditional food to taste, ornaments to wear, and songs to sing along to. The Meskel and Timkat festivals are the icing on the cake.
Ethiopia offers an unparalleled cultural experience, with festivals that immerse visitors in its rich history and traditions. These celebrations are not just religious events but a window into the soul of Ethiopian society. Whether it’s witnessing the bonfires of Meskel or participating in the renewal of baptismal vows at Timkat, these festivals leave travelers with memories to last a lifetime.
Discover the magic of Ethiopia’s festivals with our carefully curated tours. From the fiery bonfires of Meskel to the spiritual rituals of Timkat, we’ll guide you through an unforgettable journey. Contact us today to start planning your Ethiopian adventure!