This is an Ethiopian festival that
Celebrates Epiphany or Timkat.
It is one thousand years of age
And the priest, with the tabot, takes centre stage.
This is a plate covered in embroidered cloth,
Embodying the Ten Commandments, to which they plight their troth.
The main participants are splendid fellas,
They wear satin and velvet and carry cloth umbrellas.
The procession moves to the sound of bells?
And censer smoke, so exotic smells.
It takes place by the river very late at night,
And ends in the morning, with first light.
A golden cross is “baptized” in the river then,
A candle put out. And next year they’ll do it all over again.