Every year during Timket -- the holiest holiday on the Ethiopian Orthodox Christian calendar -- thousands of pilgrims flock to the city of Gondar to immerse themselves in holy water. Two days of festivities ends in a jovial splash about.
Holy festival —
Every year during Timket -- the holiest holiday on the Ethiopian Orthodox Christian calendar -- thousands of pilgrims flock to the city of Gondar to immerse themselves in holy water. Two days of festivities ends in a jovial splash about.
Carl de Souza/AFP/Getty Images
Nearly two-thirds of Ethiopia's population is Christian, and the majority of that number belong to the Orthodox church.
Ethiopia's Christians —
Nearly two-thirds of Ethiopia's population is Christian, and the majority of that number belong to the Orthodox church.
Carl de Souza/AFP/Getty Images
On the eve of Timket, Ethiopian Orthodox Christian priests prepare sacred replicas of the Ark of the Covenant -- the chest that carried the 10 Commandments -- and parade them in a slow procession to the Fasilides Bath.
Taking the tabot —
On the eve of Timket, Ethiopian Orthodox Christian priests prepare sacred replicas of the Ark of the Covenant -- the chest that carried the 10 Commandments -- and parade them in a slow procession to the Fasilides Bath.
Carl de Souza/AFP/Getty Images
For most Ethiopians, Timket is the only time of year they can get close to the sacred tabots. The procession of the relics is accompanied by chanting, singing and the beating of drums.
A rare glimpse —
For most Ethiopians, Timket is the only time of year they can get close to the sacred tabots. The procession of the relics is accompanied by chanting, singing and the beating of drums.
Carl de Souza/AFP/Getty Images
The tabot is wrapped in cloth the day before Timket. The Ethiopian Orthodox Christian priests then carry the relics on their head through the streets.
A fine wrapping —
The tabot is wrapped in cloth the day before Timket. The Ethiopian Orthodox Christian priests then carry the relics on their head through the streets.
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During Timket, congregants don traditional white robes.
Dressed in white —
During Timket, congregants don traditional white robes.
Carl de Souza/AFP/Getty Images
Timket is the Ethiopian celebration of the Epiphany; the ceremony is a re-enactment of the baptism of Jesus Christ in the River Jordan.
The Epiphany —
Timket is the Ethiopian celebration of the Epiphany; the ceremony is a re-enactment of the baptism of Jesus Christ in the River Jordan.
Carl de Souza/AFP/Getty Images
The procession concludes at the Fasilides Bath, a UNESCO heritage site that was built in 1632 for King Fasil. Once they've arrived, worshipers hold an all-night vigil.
Holding vigil —
The procession concludes at the Fasilides Bath, a UNESCO heritage site that was built in 1632 for King Fasil. Once they've arrived, worshipers hold an all-night vigil.
Carl De Souza/AFP/Getty Images
On the morning of Timket, priests hold services, then bless the waters in the Fasilides Bath -- filled once a year for the ceremony.
Blessing the waters —
On the morning of Timket, priests hold services, then bless the waters in the Fasilides Bath -- filled once a year for the ceremony.
Carl De Souza/AFP/Getty Images
Timket is celebrated slightly differently in each region of Ethiopia, depending on access to water. If it's not possible to immerse oneself, it is acceptable to get sprinkled with water.
Just a sprinkling —
Timket is celebrated slightly differently in each region of Ethiopia, depending on access to water. If it's not possible to immerse oneself, it is acceptable to get sprinkled with water.
Carl de Souza/AFP/Getty Images
Once the water has been blessed, there is a race to jump in. Some participants even dive in from nearby trees.
Jumping in —
Once the water has been blessed, there is a race to jump in. Some participants even dive in from nearby trees.
Carl de Souza/AFP/Getty Images