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Next: 19 to 20 Jan 2027

Timkat

Crowds in white cotton, and priests under embroidered umbrellas of red, gold and purple, for the Ethiopian feast of the baptism of Christ.

Orthodox priests before dancing for 2015 Timkat ceremony, in Jan Meda, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Photo: Jean Rebiffé, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The colours of Timkat

Timkat is the Ethiopian Orthodox celebration of the baptism of Jesus. Worshippers come dressed in white: the shamma and the netela, shawls of handwoven cotton, often with a coloured woven border called a tibeb. White is worn as the colour of purity and of the new life of baptism. Against this the clergy stand out. Priests carry the tabot, a model of the Ark of the Covenant, wrapped in rich cloth on their heads, and walk beneath velvet umbrellas embroidered in red, gold, green and purple. The procession goes to a pool or river, where the water is blessed at dawn and sprinkled over the crowd. Green, yellow and red flags line the route.

#FBFAF3Shamma whiteHandwoven cotton worn by the crowd, for purity.
#A81C2BUmbrella redVelvet umbrellas held over the tabot.
#CFA12EBrocade goldEmbroidery on priestly robes.
#5A2D82Clergy purpleRobes and umbrellas of the priests.

Values are fair approximations, not official shades.

Read about the colours

WhiteThe dress of worshippers.GoldEmbroidery of robes and umbrellas.PurpleClerical velvet.
About this page

Written by the Rang desk with AI assistance. Background: "Timkat" on Wikipedia. Customs differ from family to family and place to place. If this is your tradition and we have it wrong, tell us.

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