Culture

Ethiopian Orthodox devotees celebrate festival of Epiphany with water, colour, prayer

Published

2 years ago

January 21, 2023

For the first time in over two years, Ethiopian Orthodox devotees were able to celebrate the festival and holiday of Epiphany, known locally as “Timkat”.

The events which started on Thursday and spilled into Friday, saw the devotees converge on Lake Ziway, about 120 kilometres south of Addis Ababa, aboard canoes, motorboats and kayaks fashioned from papyrus stems, to celebrate the festival.

The Timkat festival is the Orthodox annual celebration marking the baptism of Jesus Christ which is one of the holiest days on the Ethiopian Orthodox calendar.

Describing the celebration, a media report stated that the festivities began as high priests of the church departed from monasteries situated on five of the lake’s islands, flanked by clergy draped in red, blue, white and gold, holding the tabot replicas of the tablets on which the Ten Commandments were allegedly given to Moses in the Bible.

“From the islands, the priests boarded boats laden with crosses and other icons and journeyed to the centre of the lake, where they performed rites surrounded by the faithful.”

“Devotees dressed head-to-toe in white, crammed into whatever vessels they could find, including traditional boats crafted from papyrus known as “tankwa”, the report said.

“The following day, the priests returned to the lake to bless the water and on the banks, the fervour and meditation of the evening ritual gave way to smiles of joy.”

“Devotees rushed to the shore where a priest sprayed the crowd with now-sanctified lake water using a hose.”

“Some worshippers opted to just plunge their faces directly into the lake, while children splashed and played in the shallows.”

Related Topics:Ethiopia Featured Orthodox Christians Timkat

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Culture

Davido to donate N300m to orphanages to mark 32nd birthday

Published

2 hours ago

November 18, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Nigerian Afro-Pop superstar, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has announced plans to donate the sum of N300 million to different orphanages across the country and anti-drug advocacy initiatives to mark his 32nd birthday later this year.

The Grammy-nominated singer who revealed the plan in a post he shared on his official X handle (formerly Twitter) on Monday, said he would donate the whopping sum to orphanages and charities that help young people to avoid drug addiction.

The “Unavailable” crooner added that the donation is intention to support vulnerable children at the orphanage and combat drug abuse among youths, and the funds will be split between orphanages and organizations working to prevent drug addiction.

He also assured his fans that details of the donation, including beneficiary organizations and distribution plans, will be made public soon.

“Once again on my birthday this year, we donating to orphanages and a charity that helps young people stay away from drug abuse & addiction. This year is N300m. Details to follow soon,” the multiple award-winning singer wrote.

Culture

Chidimma Adetshina makes history as she emerges first runner-up for Miss Universe 2024

Published

2 days ago

November 17, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Chidimma Adetshina, Nigeria’s representative at the 73rd Miss Universe Competition held in Mexico, made history as she finished as the first runner-up at the pageant.

The reigning Miss Universe Nigeria finished on the podium of the event held at the Arena CDMX in Mexico City on Sunday morning after an electrifying final face-off between Nigeria and Denmark, as the two women looked poised to claim the crown.

Adetshina, who competed against over 120 contestants from around the world, delivered Nigeria’s best-ever performance in the prestigious competition.

The competition, which was described as one of the most thrilling in recent years, celebrated the talents, intelligence, and elegance of women from around the globe.

A post by the pageant organizers on Instagram said:

“The final two! Nigeria and Denmark, two incredible women, one unforgettable moment.

“Miss Denmark, Victoria Kjaer Theilvig, ultimately won the crown taking over from Miss Universe 2023, Sheynnis Palacios of Nicaragua.”

The top five were rounded out by Miss Mexico, María Fernanda Beltrán Figueroa, in third place, along with contestants from Thailand and Venezuela.

This year’s pageant was celebrated as one of the most inclusive in Miss Universe history, featuring first-time entries from Iran and Somalia and an expanded lineup of 30 semifinalists, showcasing greater diversity and global representation.

Chidimma’s path to the Miss Universe Nigeria was controversial at best as she had previously entered the Miss South Africa pageant but withdrew following criticism of her nationality and allegations from South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs concerning her mother’s documents.

She was later invited to participate in Miss Universe Nigeria and emerged as the winner of the beauty pageant ahead of 24 other contestants.