Ethiopia 27, Gondar, The Bath of King Fasilidas

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ETHIOPIA
27
Gondar, King Fasilidas' Bath
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Gondar is a town founded in 1636 by the great
Emperor Fasilidas, serving as the royal capital
of Ethiopia for over 230 years. Fasil Ghebbi are
the remains of a fortress-city that was the
residence of the Ethiopian emperor Fasilidas and
his successors. Around 2km northwest of Fasil
Ghebbi lies Fasilidas Bath, which has been
attributed to both Fasilidas and Iyasu I. Today
it is used as a baptismal during Timkat, the most
magnificent religious celebration in Ethiopia.
Timkat is celebrated in the commemoration of the
baptism of Jesus Christ in Jordan River. It is
renowned every year on January 19 or 20 on leap
year
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Beyond the confines of the city to the north-west
by the Qaha River there is another fine building
sometimes associated by Fasilidas, a bathing
palace. The building is a two-storeyed
battlemented structure situated within and on one
side of a rectangular pool of water which was
supplied by a canal from the nearby river
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The bathing pavilion itself stands on pier
arches, and contains several rooms reached by a
stone bridge, part of which could be raised for
defense. The Emperor, who was greatly interested
in architecture was also responsible for seven
churches and a number of bridges.
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The large, rectangular sunken pool, which is
reputedly larger than an Olympic pool, is
overlooked by a small but charming building,
thought by some to be Fasilidas second residence
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Its a beautiful and peaceful spot, where
snakelike tree roots envelop, support and digest
sections of the stone walls
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Although the complex was used for bathing
(royalty used to don inflated goatskin
lifejackets for their refreshing dips!), it was
likely to have been constructed for religious
celebrations, the likes of which still go on today
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Once a year, Fasilidas Bath is filled with water
(the water comes from a river and it takes up to
a month to fill) for the Timkat celebration
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After being blessed by a priest, the pool becomes
a riot of splashing water, shouts and laughter as
a crowd of hundreds jumps in. The ceremony
replicates Christs baptism in the Jordan River,
and is seen as an important renewal of faith
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During Timakt the Tabot (the replica of Ark of
the Covenant), which is present on every
Ethiopian altar (somewhat like the Western altar
stone), is reverently wrapped in rich cloth and
born in procession on the head of the priest. The
Tabot, which is otherwise rarely seen by the
laity, represents the manifestation of Jesus as
the Messiah when he came to the Jordan for
baptism. The clergy, bearing robes and umbrellas
of many hues, perform rollicking dances and
songs.
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Greater Blue-eared Starling
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Text Internet Pictures Sanda Foisoreanu
Sanda Negrutiu Jean
Moldovan Alin Samochis
Daniel Scradeanu
Internet All  copyrights  belong to their
 respective owners Presentation Sanda
Foisoreanu
2014
Sound Aster Aweke - Fiker