Religion is not just part of Ethiopia’s history, however. It is central to modern Ethiopian culture, with religious events a fixture of daily life for many Ethiopians. Tours of Ethiopia typically focus on this religious heritage. Visitors to the country marvel at the spectacular rock-carved churches of Lalibela; the fabulous murals found within the Lake Tana monasteries; the remote and often-inaccessible rock churches of Tigray; or the many mosques of Old Harar.
For those wanting to really explore Ethiopia’s religious traditions, however, visiting the country during one of its major religious festivals offers a special window onto this aspect of the country’s culture. Three festivals stand out as being of particular interest to overseas visitors, both for their spectacle and their prominence in the Ethiopian calendar: Timket, Palm Sunday and Meskel.
Timket (Timkat)
Each year on January 18th and 19th (or January 20th on leap years) Ethiopians celebrate Timket, the holiest festival on the Ethiopian Orthodox Christian calendar. A celebration of the Epiphany, Timket is a jubilant, joyous festival, which sees Ethiopians from across the country take to the streets in a ritual that begins with a procession of tabots (replica Arks of the Covenant) and culminates in a re-enactment of the baptism of Christ. This is one of the most exciting times to visit Ethiopia, when the country is at its most lively and welcoming! Many visitors choose to experience Timket in Addis Ababa and Gondar, where the largest celebrations take place (in Gondar, the celebration culminates in a mass baptism in the waters of Emperor Fasilides’ Bath), but other visitors may prefer experience in a quieter environment, for which the remote and comparatively little-visited churches of Tigray are ideal.
Palm Sunday
The Palm Sunday celebrations take place in April, a week before Easter, and commemorate Jesus' entry to Jerusalem. Unlike Timket, which takes place across the country, the main celebrations during Palm Sunday are at Axum, in the vicinity of the Church of St Mary of Zion, Ethiopia's holiest site and the purported home of the Ark of the Covenant. Palm Sunday attracts far fewer visitors from outside of Ethiopia than Timket, but for Ethiopians it is one of the major festivals of the year. Axum comes alive during the celebrations, and the morning ritual at St Mary of Zion on Sunday provides a stunning spectacle.
Meskel
The third of Ethiopia’s major festivals, Meskel takes place every year in September and commemorates Queen Helena’s discovery of the True Cross. According to Orthodox legend, Helena had a premonition that if she lit a bonfire the smoke would lead her to the location where the true cross was buried. In Ethiopia the Meskel celebration is also the marker which divides the short rainy season from the dry season. During this time, small yellow flowers (known as Meskel flowers) can be found throughout the country. Many Ethiopians will carry these flowers from house to house during the week of Meskel. This is very much a spiritual celebration, but, like so many Ethiopian festivals, Meskel is also tied up with more earthly concerns, as a seasonal celebration intended to mark the end of the green season.
The celebration of the finding of the true cross is one of the most festive holidays in Addis Ababa, with the city coming alive in celebration. Meskel Square, the main intersection in town where the event takes place, is closed off during Meskel. Pilgrims enter the Square in procession, led by priests and church choirs performing carefully-coordinated chants, songs and dances. The festival culminates in the lighting of the Demera, a huge bonfire in the centre of the square. It’s a stunning spectacle, yet attracts few visitors from outside the country.
Ethiopian festival tours with Gane and Marshall
At Gane and Marshall, we have an in-depth knowledge of Ethiopia and can help you plan an itinerary to coincide with Timket, Meskel or Palm Sunday. Whether you are travelling as part of a small group, a family, or as an individual, we can help prepare an itinerary that will allow you to experience one of Ethiopia's major religious festivals in the company of an experienced local guide. Please contact our team to start planning!
