Monday, February 24, 2014

Timket Celebration in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

We were warned not to go driving during the parade times of the Timket celebration. Timket celebrates and reenacts the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River. On the first day, the procession travels from the church with a model of the Ark of the Covenant (see my next post on Aksum) to a nearby river. The following day the Ark is returned back to the church. Below are some of the rituals associated with celebration.    
Decked out horses pulling fancy carts lead the way. Note the Safeway supermarket in the background
The most intense part of the celebration was the carpet rolling. Teams of participants carry and roll out the carpets for the priests. When the procession passes, the carpets in the back are rolled-up and brought to the front to be rolled out again, this process is repeated until the destination is reached. 
Additionally, keeping the grass on the carpet is also important task. 
Dancing, singing, and music were very much apart of it. 

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