Ethiopian Regional Conflict Makes Orthodox Epiphany 'Sad'

Barely a thousand worshippers took part in the procession of the city's 44 churches that sees eight sacred arches carried to the Fasiladas baths (Credit: AFP)

Festivities for the Orthodox Christian celebration of epiphany have been muted this year in Gondar, in the northwest Ethiopian region of Amhara where conflict has raged for months.

"How can you celebrate when many people are dying?" said a tuktuk driver, who wished to remain anonymous.