7 unmissable festivals to celebrate in 2022

Celebrated throughout Ethiopia, Timkat is the Ethiopian Epiphany, marking Jesus' baptism by John the Baptist. In Axum, the home of the fabled Queen of Sheba and the Ark of the Covenant, local worshippers jump into pools of water, blessed by the priests. In Lalibela, the former capital, the rock-hewn churches are the start and end points, with pilgrims following the rhythm of drums behind the priests and their anointed tabots. It's truly a sight to behold.

This week-long festival follows the last week of lent, with reenactments of pivotal scenes from the Bible held at various points in the city throughout the week. The most spectacular, and often most moving, of which are on Good Friday, when the procession follows the bright and intricately-patterned flower and sawdust carpets through the streets of Antigua for all to observe and pay homage.

The festival of Hemis in the Ladakh region of Tibet, celebrates the birth of Guru Padamsambhav and the victory of good over evil. The main event of the festival depicts this battle with a masked dance-performance called a cham. This vibrant, colourful dance follows the slow rhythms of drum beats and the exuberant dancing is greeted with great enthusiasm by the crowd. It's hard not to be drawn into this magnificent display.