Author ORCID Identifier
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8354-7903
Abstract
The Epiphany celebration in Gondar, Ethiopia, is one of the most unique events in the world. Due to its outstanding cultural value, the Epiphany was inscribed into the UNESCO World Heritage List. The remarkable history of Gondar and its vast cultural heritage make the city an open-air museum for the world. However, there has been little research focused on exploring the Epiphany celebration in Ethiopia. This study follows an exploratory and descriptive research design, utilising a qualitative approach. Interviews, observations, and document analysis were employed as data collection methods. Non-probability sampling techniques were used, specifically purposive and snowball sampling, involving seventeen key informants in the interviews. Thematic analysis was applied to interpret and analyse the data. The findings reveal that there is much potential to explore the Epiphany celebration further for religious tourism development at the World Heritage site in Gondar, also known as the Camelot of Africa. The study explored several key areas: the historical origin of Epiphany in Ethiopia, the introduction of Epiphany to Gondar, indigenous cultural practices during the celebration in Gondar, the practice of the celebration in the city, the etymology and origin of Ketera, the potential of Epiphany as a tool for religious tourism, and an ancient poem used during the celebration. Overall, the study’s findings indicate that Epiphany in Ethiopia, particularly in Gondar, has been celebrated since ancient times. Epiphany enshrines indigenous cultural practices in Gondar, including the unique Ketera celebration tradition.
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Recommended Citation
Baye, Balew and Nega, Dagnachew
(2026)
"Timkat (Epiphany) as Living Faith: The Intersection of Religion, Culture, and Tourism in Gondar, World Heritage Site, Ethiopia,"
International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage:
Vol. 13:
Iss.
4, Article 9.
Available at:
https://arrow.tudublin.ie/ijrtp/vol13/iss4/9