Festival Tour in Ethiopia

							Festival tour in Ethiopia Ethiopia has a number of festivals through out
the year starting with, the time of the Ethiopian New year which falls on
September 11,and one of the important festivals are Meskal which falls on
september27th and which celebrates the discovery of the true cross by
st.Helena, the wife of Constantine the great. Vast bonfires are lit the
night before the celebration and on the day itself, there are dances and
feasts for every person present. Ethiopia most celebrated festival is
Timket,the Epiphany which falls on January 19th and the easiest for
visitors to witness and enjoy .The holy Tabot, a replica of the Ark of
the covenant is removed from each church around the country the day
before the celebration and taken to the central area where the ceremony
will take place.The following mornining the church officials, resplendent
in their gorgeous regalia assemble around the Tabot and sprinkle wholly
waterover all Christians present and recievethe renewals of their
vows.then after the Tabot carried back to the church .Festivals and
Events in Ethiopia Religion plays an important part of life in Ethiopia.
The Orthodox Tewahedo Church ceremonies are unique and impressive;
especially Timket (Epiphany) and Ledet (Christmas) festivals which
provide colourful ceremonies and celebrations. People dress in
traditional costume and celebrate festivals across the country with
colourful unique ceremonies. Christian Festivals in EthiopiaThe major
captivating Christian festivals and events in this category include
Timket (Epiphany) in January, Ledet (Christmas) December and Hidar Tsion
in November. Timket (Epiphany) in January Timket is Ethiopian language
for Epiphany. The holiday commemorating Christ’s baptism in the River
Jordan is of special significance in Ethiopia. It is the most important
and colorful event of the year. Timket is celebrated in Ethiopia on
January 19 beginning on the Eve of Timket with colourful processions and
ceremonies ending on the January 20. Although the festival is largely
religious, it has no lack of secular elements such as partying and match-
making. In Timket, Tella and Tej are brewed, special bread is baked, and
sheep are slaughtered to mark the three-day celebration. Best place to
witness this festival: Gonder, Lalibela and Addis AbabaLedet (Christmas)
December Ledet (Christmas) falls on December 29 Ethiopian calendar
(January 7 Gregorian calendar). Ledet (Christmas) is celebrated after 43
days fasting known as Tsome Gahad (Advent), with a spectacular
procession, which begins at 6 AM and lasts until 9 AM. After the mass
service, people go home to break the fast with the meat of chicken or
lamb or beef accompanied with injera and the traditional drinks (i.e.
tella or tej). Best place to witness this festival: Lalibela Hidar Tsion
in NovemberThe Virgin Mary is one of the most venerated of all religious
figures in Ethiopia. About 33 days are annually dedicated to different
celebrations in the commemoration of Mary. "Hidar Tsion" is associated
with the presence of the Ark of the Covenant in Axum and the belief that
the Ark itself is a symbolism to her womb. This festival is attended by
tens of thousands of people from all over Ethiopia, making it one of the
most joyous annual pilgrimages in Axum, the "sacred city of the
Ethiopians." Best place to witness this festival: Axum