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Photos: Young Ethiopians look for love during epiphany celebrations

Getahun Fetana spent years admiring his wife from a distance before finally mustering the courage to speak to her, taking advantage of a chance run-in during Timkat, the Ethiopian Orthodox celebration of epiphany. It is far from the only Ethiopian love story closely bound up with Timkat, which Orthodox Christians celebrated on January 20 with feasts and elaborate processions across the country. While the holiday formally commemorates the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan, it has long been seen as a choice meeting ground for young singles on the hunt for romance.

Updated on: Jan 23, 2020 7:46 PM IST

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1/11

Getahun Fetana (L) spent years admiring Emebet Melaku from a distance before plucking up the nerve to speak to her, taking advantage of a chance encounter during Timkat, the Ethiopian Orthodox celebration of epiphany. Breaking off from his friends, the 37-year-old professor walked over to introduce himself, and the sparks that flew led to their wedding on the very same holiday one year later. (Eduardo Soteras / AFP)

Updated on Jan 23, 2020 7:46 PM

Getahun Fetana (L) spent years admiring Emebet Melaku from a distance before plucking up the nerve to speak to her, taking advantage of a chance encounter during Timkat, the Ethiopian Orthodox celebration of epiphany. Breaking off from his friends, the 37-year-old professor walked over to introduce himself, and the sparks that flew led to their wedding on the very same holiday one year later. (Eduardo Soteras / AFP)

2/11

Ethiopian Orthodox Christian priests attend Timkat. “We got married on Timkat because we wanted to remember it as a breakthrough in our relationship,” Getahun told AFP. “The day has a special place in our hearts.” It is far from the only Ethiopian love story closely bound up with Timkat, which Orthodox Christians celebrated Monday with feasts and elaborate processions. (Eduardo Soteras / AFP)

Updated on Jan 23, 2020 7:46 PM

Ethiopian Orthodox Christian priests attend Timkat. “We got married on Timkat because we wanted to remember it as a breakthrough in our relationship,” Getahun told AFP. “The day has a special place in our hearts.” It is far from the only Ethiopian love story closely bound up with Timkat, which Orthodox Christians celebrated Monday with feasts and elaborate processions. (Eduardo Soteras / AFP)

3/11

A crowd removes scaffoldings from a structure that collapsed, trapping and injuring dozens of people, during Timkat in Gondar. The holiday, which commemorates the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan, was marred this year by the collapse of a wooden seating structure during a pivotal ceremony, an accident that left at least 10 people dead. (Eduardo Soteras / AFP)

Updated on Jan 23, 2020 7:46 PM

A crowd removes scaffoldings from a structure that collapsed, trapping and injuring dozens of people, during Timkat in Gondar. The holiday, which commemorates the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan, was marred this year by the collapse of a wooden seating structure during a pivotal ceremony, an accident that left at least 10 people dead. (Eduardo Soteras / AFP)

4/11

A devotee kisses a cross during Timkat, generally a sunny and joyous affair—and one that offers a choice meeting ground for young singles on the hunt for romance. Multiple factors make it ideal for finding a partner, Aschalew Worku, the top tourism official in Gondar told AFP. First, the holiday comes at the height of wedding season, meaning love is already in the air. (Eduardo Soteras / AFP)

Updated on Jan 23, 2020 7:46 PM

A devotee kisses a cross during Timkat, generally a sunny and joyous affair—and one that offers a choice meeting ground for young singles on the hunt for romance. Multiple factors make it ideal for finding a partner, Aschalew Worku, the top tourism official in Gondar told AFP. First, the holiday comes at the height of wedding season, meaning love is already in the air. (Eduardo Soteras / AFP)

5/11

A worshipper jumps into the pool of Fasilides Bath during the celebration. The fact that it’s also the dry season means the country’s roads are in good shape, making it easier to travel and meet new people. Finally, worshippers don their finest traditional clothing on Timkat, including pristine white robes and tunics accented with the greens, reds and yellows of the Ethiopian flag. (Eduardo Soteras / AFP)

Updated on Jan 23, 2020 7:46 PM

A worshipper jumps into the pool of Fasilides Bath during the celebration. The fact that it’s also the dry season means the country’s roads are in good shape, making it easier to travel and meet new people. Finally, worshippers don their finest traditional clothing on Timkat, including pristine white robes and tunics accented with the greens, reds and yellows of the Ethiopian flag. (Eduardo Soteras / AFP)

6/11

Ethiopian Orthodox Christian priests dance during the celebration. There’s even a saying—“Let a dress not meant for Timkat be shredded”—suggesting that Timkat clothes are the only ones worth keeping. “Everyone is dressed to impress,” Aschalew said. “Everyone attends Timkat clean and fresh, and this creates an opportunity for dating.” (Eduardo Soteras / AFP)

Updated on Jan 23, 2020 7:46 PM

Ethiopian Orthodox Christian priests dance during the celebration. There’s even a saying—“Let a dress not meant for Timkat be shredded”—suggesting that Timkat clothes are the only ones worth keeping. “Everyone is dressed to impress,” Aschalew said. “Everyone attends Timkat clean and fresh, and this creates an opportunity for dating.” (Eduardo Soteras / AFP)

7/11

The most famous Timkat celebrations take place each year in Gondar, the former seat of the royal empire. Before dawn on Monday, thousands of people gathered at stone baths constructed during the reign of 17th-century Emperor Fasilides. (Eduardo Soteras / AFP)

Updated on Jan 23, 2020 7:46 PM

The most famous Timkat celebrations take place each year in Gondar, the former seat of the royal empire. Before dawn on Monday, thousands of people gathered at stone baths constructed during the reign of 17th-century Emperor Fasilides. (Eduardo Soteras / AFP)

8/11

The ceremony during which the seating area collapsed—in which worshippers dive into holy water to recreate Jesus’ baptism—was meant to cap a weekend long traditional celebration that last month was inscribed on UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. (Eduardo Soteras / AFP)

Updated on Jan 23, 2020 7:46 PM

The ceremony during which the seating area collapsed—in which worshippers dive into holy water to recreate Jesus’ baptism—was meant to cap a weekend long traditional celebration that last month was inscribed on UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. (Eduardo Soteras / AFP)

9/11

For many young people, though, the main event comes the day before, as tens of thousands march amid a riot of song, dance and prayer. This is when young men and women spark up conversations. One Timkat custom calls for young men to throw lemons at women they find attractive. A common joke is that young men today would do better to throw iPhones. (Eduardo Soteras / AFP)

Updated on Jan 23, 2020 7:46 PM

For many young people, though, the main event comes the day before, as tens of thousands march amid a riot of song, dance and prayer. This is when young men and women spark up conversations. One Timkat custom calls for young men to throw lemons at women they find attractive. A common joke is that young men today would do better to throw iPhones. (Eduardo Soteras / AFP)

10/11

Worshippers are wetted with holy water during Timkat. For Aschalew, the tourism official, changing customs reflect a broader shift away from traditional dating habits, as Ethiopian youth explore new ways to meet partners. Aschalew described this as an “acceptable” result of modernity, but some Gondar residents told AFP they believed the old customs should be revived. (Eduardo Soteras / AFP)

Updated on Jan 23, 2020 7:46 PM

Worshippers are wetted with holy water during Timkat. For Aschalew, the tourism official, changing customs reflect a broader shift away from traditional dating habits, as Ethiopian youth explore new ways to meet partners. Aschalew described this as an “acceptable” result of modernity, but some Gondar residents told AFP they believed the old customs should be revived. (Eduardo Soteras / AFP)

11/11

Fetana and Melaku look at photographs in a family album. “People who find their spouse on Timkat are getting a gift from God,” said Rahel Mola, a Gondar native. This nostalgia was shared by Tariku Munye, 33, who took part in Sunday’s procession. “I think we need to go back to our old ways,” he told AFP. “You never know,” he added, “you could find your destiny here.” (Eduardo Soteras / AFP)

Updated on Jan 23, 2020 7:46 PM

Fetana and Melaku look at photographs in a family album. “People who find their spouse on Timkat are getting a gift from God,” said Rahel Mola, a Gondar native. This nostalgia was shared by Tariku Munye, 33, who took part in Sunday’s procession. “I think we need to go back to our old ways,” he told AFP. “You never know,” he added, “you could find your destiny here.” (Eduardo Soteras / AFP)

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