Next: 19 to 21 Jan 2027
Timkat
Ethiopian Epiphany: the tabots are carried in procession to water, and thousands are sprinkled with the blessed river.
When is Timkat in 2027?
Timkat 2027 runs from 19 to 21 January 2027. Other years: 2026, 19 to 21 January 2026; 2028, 20 to 22 January 2028.
About Timkat
Timkat, celebrated on 11 Tir, usually 19 January, is the most colourful festival of the Ethiopian Orthodox church. It marks the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan. On the eve, priests bring the tabot, a replica of the tablets of the Ark of the Covenant, wrapped in cloth from each church, to a pool or river, the church by church in procession with drums, sistra and silk umbrellas. They camp overnight beside the water, with chanting and vigil. At dawn, the water is blessed, and crowds in white shamma robes are sprinkled or jump into the pool, renewing their baptism. The tabots are carried back to their churches with dancing, and the feast continues. The Fasilides baths at Gondar and the grounds of Jan Meda in Addis Ababa are noted places.
Timkat dates: 2026, 2027, 2028
| Year | Timkat date |
|---|---|
| 2026 | 19 to 21 January 2026 |
| 2027 | 19 to 21 January 2027 |
| 2028 | 20 to 22 January 2028 |
What is eaten
- doro wat
- injera
- tej
- tella
Also part of it, and being written: Tabot (The replica of the tablets, carried in procession.), Fasilides' Bath (The Gondar pool for the ceremony.), Epiphany (The wider feast.).
More marked on Timkat
Written by the EveryParampara desk with AI assistance. Background: "Timkat" on Wikipedia. Customs differ from place to place and family to family. If this is your tradition and we have it wrong, tell us.