Timkat

But the festival does not end there; Donald N. Levine describes a typical celebration of the early 1960s: By noon on Timqat Day a large crowd has assembled at the ritual site, those who went home for a little sleep having returned, and the holy ark is escorted back to its church in colorful procession and festivities.

The clergy, bearing robes and umbrellas of many hues, perform hymns and; the elders march solemnly, attended by middle-aged men singing long-drawn, low-pitched songs and hymns in their own manner; and the children run about with activities and may participate in the services.

Dressed up in their finest, the women chatter excitedly on their one real day of freedom in the year.

The young braves leap up and down in spirited dances, tirelessly repeating rhythmic songs.

[2]UNESCO inscribed Timkat in 2019 on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.