Timkat, Ethiopia

Timkat is an Ethiopian Orthodox celebration that marks the Epiphany, or baptism of Christ. The three-day festival is held in towns and cities across the country, but the most famous occurs in Gondar. Here, thousands of pilgrims dressed in white robes accompany a replica of the Ark of the Covenant from each of the city’s churches to the royal bathing pool known as Fasiladas’ Bath. After a candlelit vigil, the waters of the pool are blessed and celebrants take to the water to renew their baptism vows. The rest of the festival is dedicated to feasting and dancing.