Baptism with Fire – The Meles way!

By Ephrem Madebo

In the tradition of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, Timket (Ethiopian Epiphany) is one of the most colorful holiday that attracts people of different ethnic and religious background. Timket is a magnet that attracts children, the youth, the elderly, men and women for a holy baptismal ceremony, and a day long religious reflection, dancing, and sharing. The start and finish journey of Timket is powered by Tabot, a sacred replica of the Holly Arch that holds the original Ten Commandments. Unlike other Ethiopian Orthodox traditions, one should not be the follower of the Orthodox religion to celebrate Timket; the colorful celebrations of Timket have the power to attract any human being that breathes. Timket is a ritual that transcends denominations, cultures, national and ethnic background. Internationally, the Ethiopian Timket celebration is considered among the top ten religious rituals of the world (TV Travel Channel).

Our ancient country of Ethiopia has celebrated Timket for the last 1600 years, way before the Norman conquest of England and centuries before Germans were Christians, but none of the celebrations of the past were surrounded by ruthless armed personnel who opened fire not only at the people, but also in the direction of the sacred body, the Tabot! It is quite a shame that an irresponsible traitor to come not only from Ethiopia’s original Christian land of Tigray; but also from Adwa, a symbol of black independence where thousands made a one way journey accompanying the Tabot in 1896. Today, just a month before the 110th Adwa victory day, the horrible son of Adwa ordered a disgraceful shooting at the same Tabot that put his birth place on the map. What will be the reactions of Emperor Yohhannis and Ras Alula as they welcome the victims of their great grand son? What will be the reaction of ‘Aba Mela’ when he realizes that the justice system of Ethiopia is endangered by a traitor from of Adwa?

Jan Meda is the place of our child hood where we smelled the aroma of delicate scent and holiday food; it is a place where we spend the day dancing and pinching girls at night. At Jan Meda, the morning does not start with a plot to kill; it starts with baptism by pledging to help others. At Jan Meda, the day does not end with a friend carrying the body of his/her friend, at Jan Meda, the day ends with dancing, hugging, and of course with atonement. The 1998 Timket festival ended with the smell of gun powder forcing the elderly to sneeze, and the smoke of gun fire lingering on the skies of Jan Meda. Mothers and fathers who enjoyed the dances of their children went home to never see their sons and daughters again because on a good Timket day, Meles killed not only their children, but he also killed their hope. I’m not anymore taken aback by the killings of Meles because I knew Meles was a killer from the very beginning. He has killed in the deserts of Sudan, he killed in the wilderness of Tigray and he killed in the streets of Addis Ababa. Today, he showed us his complete haughtiness by killing people in front of the Tabot. The arrogance of Meles and company is the only evil not transcended by the power of Timket. By the way are these gangs baptized?

I don’t believe we Ethiopians need any more internal or external push to come together and uproot the ludicrous regime of Meles and company. We find ourselves in a very decisive moment in our history where acting individually or not acting are both killing our people. When our children are killed in front of the ultimate refuge (Tabot), when the head of a woman is blown up for reacting when her husband is brutally beaten, and when young students are shot to death by a killing squad; we as a society have two choices: We should either collectively fight and get rid of the killers, or wait until the unforgiving brutal arm of Meles Knocks on our own doors. The choice is ours! We are Ethiopians, and the mystery of baptism is not new to us. After all, who ever is baptized by fire will be stronger, courageous, and stands firm until the last day.