In 2031, Timket (Ethiopian Epiphany) will be celebrated on January 19, 2031 (Sunday), which corresponds to Tir 11, 2023 E.C. in the Ethiopian calendar.
Timket (Epiphany) celebrates the Baptism of Jesus Christ in the River Jordan by John the Baptist. Celebrated on Tir 11 (January 19, or January 20 in leap years), it is considered the most colorful and spiritually vibrant religious festival in Ethiopia. In 2019, Timket was officially inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list. The festival's crowning hallmark is the ceremonial procession of the Tabot—a sacred wooden replica of the Ark of the Covenant present in every Ethiopian Orthodox church.
Timket (Ethiopian Epiphany) in 2031 takes place on January 19, 2031 (Sunday). On the Ethiopian calendar, this date is Tir 11, 2023 E.C. (ጥር ፲፩ ቀን ፳፻፳፫ ዓ.ም.).
Yes. It is an official federal public holiday throughout Ethiopia. All federal and regional ministries, commercial banks, universities, schools, and major financial institutions remain closed.
The most common greeting is "መልካም የጥምቀት በዓል!" (Melkam Ye'Timket Ba'al!), which means "Happy Timket / Blessed Epiphany!". The traditional response is "እንኳን አብሮ አደረሰን!" (May we celebrate it together!).
Celebrations traditionally feature Doro Wat and Key Wat, Tibs (tender cubed beef or lamb sautéed with rosemary, red onions, and jalapeños in clarified butter), Injera with diverse vegetable stews, Home-brewed Tej and Tella, served with fresh Injera flatbread and traditional hospitality.
Holiday gatherings in Ethiopia and the diaspora are filled with precious elder stories, church liturgies, and songs. Record them on your phone, and let Andebet transcribe every word in Amharic, Afaan Oromo, or Tigrinya into native Ge'ez fidel and Latin scripts.