Keep Up With Global Black News

Sign up to our newsletter to get the latest updates and events from the leading Afro-Diaspora publisher straight to your inbox.

BY Nii Ntreh, 9:00am January 21, 2020,

10 killed and 100 more injured in Ethiopian Christian celebrations

by Nii Ntreh, 9:00am January 21, 2020,
Timket celebrations in Ethiopia mark the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan river. Photo Credit: BBC

At least 10 people have been reported killed in this year’s Timket celebrations in Ethiopia when a wooden stand for spectators collapsed.

The celebrations in the northern city of Gondar brought together thousands of worshippers of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. For the purpose of viewing the multiple activities, some attendants build wooden scaffolds to see what is going on.

The BBC quoted a senior doctor at the University of Gondar Hospital who said: “I can tell you up to now we have 10 dead. The number of injured is 100 or even 150”.

Timket is a celebration of the baptism of Jesus Christ in the Jordan River by John the Baptist, as told in the Bible. Timket is regarded as the celebration of epiphany.

Image result for timket celebrations
Timket celebrants at a river in Ethiopia. Photo Credit: Jhsimextour.com

The two-day celebrations bring together the young and old and people from different economic backgrounds.

The first day of Timket is called Ketera. On this day, worshippers take a walk with a replica of the Biblical ark of the covenant wrapped in a manner to emphasize its religious importance.

The walk culminates in convergence at the celebration grounds.

On the second day, the clergy of the Orthodox Church perform dances and songs from dawn. They also bless the water source and sprinkle it on worshippers.

Last Edited by:Kent Mensah Updated: January 21, 2020

Conversations

Must Read

Connect with us

Join our Mailing List to Receive Updates

Face2face Africa | Afrobeatz+ | BlackStars

Keep Up With Global Black News and Events

Sign up to our newsletter to get the latest updates and events from the leading Afro-Diaspora publisher straight to your inbox, plus our curated weekly brief with top stories across our platforms.

No, Thank You