Ethiopia III Returned Peace Corps Volunteers
"Return to Ethiopia" Trip
September 22 - October 7, 2012
50th Anniversary of the Peace Corps in Ethiopia
October 3 - Wednesday
About 2 kilometers northwest of the center of Gondar is Fasiladas' Pool, a shady, beautiful and historical spot attributed to both Fasiladas and Iyasu I.
The large, rectangular sunken pool is overlooked by a small but charming building, thought by some to be Fasiladas' second residence. A snakelike tree roots surround portions of the stone wall surrounding the pool.
Although the complex was used for bathing, it was likely constructed for religious celebrations, the likes of which still go on today. Once a year, Fasiladas' Pool is filled with water for the Timkat . After being blessed by a priest, the pool becomes a riot of spraying water, shouts and laughter as the crowd jumps in. The ceremony replicates Christ's baptism in the Jordan River, and is seen as an important renewal of faith.
(Important note: All photographs, except where mentioned, are copyrighted as of October 8, 2012, by Darrel and Betty Hagberg. Please request permission to use and please credit them).
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Betty McLaughlin Hagberg, Web Master
Updated on 9 November 2012
