Timket Celebration at Lake Ziway, Oromia Region - Ethiopia Collection

We photograph the Timket (ጥምቀት) celebration at Lake Ziway, Ethiopia for my forthcoming book:

www.EthiopiaPhotobook.com

This is the legend of how the people of Lake Ziway came to celebrate Timket in a unique way. The islands of Lake Ziway contain hidden Tewahedo Orthodox monasteries. In the 16th century, the Zay people took refuge on the islands, keeping alive their faith & protecting holy artifacts from invaders.

During the Timket celebration, from an island monastery on the lake, the tabot (a replica of the Ten Commandments) is carefully removed and transported within a procession of wooden and papyrus boats to the mainland shore. The next morning, worshippers rush into Lake Ziway to receive a blessing of holy water. The tabot is kept on the mainland for just a day before being returned to the safety of the hidden island.