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an Ethiopic word stemming from the Aramaic word ta'bo'ta, meaning stone. It represents the stone-tablets on which were written the Ten Commandments that Moses placed in the Ark (of the Covenant). Every Ethiopian Orthodox Church must have a consecrated ta'bot within, in order to perform Church sacraments and to celebrate the liturgical service. It is constructed after the image of the original Ark (which is located in Axum, Ethiopia), usually carved from wood and inscribed with a chosen saint or the Holy Trinity, that the ta'bot will be named after. Only designated priests are allowed to handle the ta'bot(s).

During the procession to the allocated area, the clergy and the congregants alike will be arrayed in the most appealing attire. The bishops, priests and deacons, carrying silken or velvety umbrellas, will march beside the ta'bot (the deacons and laity alike, make sure that they do not draw too near, as a priest is specially garbed to carry the encased ta'bot) in very vivid and radiant vestments. The lay people trod along, singing lauds for the feast day, in-and-out of unison with the deacons' horns, trumpets, bells and church drums.

In turn, the faithful adorn themselves in the whitest of cultural clothing, whether new or old. Special tapestries are sown on the end of the netellas, an Ethiopian type of shawl worn by males and females. As the crowd starts to grow enormously and as they advance toward the ta'bot's final destination, the aroma of sweet incense emanates from censors, while the flock seeks to be blessed by the bishops' and priests' hand-crosses.

Simultaneously, members of the household will remain at home to prepare for the feast of Timqet and the feast days that commence in the days to comethe Feast of Saint Michael, the Archangel and the Feast of Cana of Galilee (a Minor Feast Day of the Lord). Indigenous foods are prepared to their finest! Ethiopian beer (called te'la), Ethiopian honey-wine (t'ej) and Ethiopian sauces, called wh'et, are concocted from special spices such as: birbir'e (an Ethiopian chili pepper), qibay (spiced butter) and different meats (choice lamb, beef and chicken). Ceremonial breads are also baked and issued as a blessing between lay people.

Once gathered at the water-way or pool that represents the Jordan River where Jesus Christ was baptized, a very august, devotional and type of polyphonic chant overwhelms the multitude of onlookers. Groups of special cantors, called merigetaswho resemble Old Testament Levites,

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