Why is Ethiopia Celebrating New Year in Sept and Entering 2017

Imagine if you woke up to find out that you’re living in 2017 instead of 2024. The idea might sound like a dream come true, but that’s a whole seven years behind. While this might be a fantasy for some, it’s the reality for the Ethiopians, who are currently ringing in the year 2017 on their unique calendar system. 

So, why does Ethiopia celebrate the New Year in September and what makes their calendar so different from the rest of the world?

The Ethiopian New Year – Enkutatash

In Ethiopia, the New Year is celebrated with a festival known as Enkutatash. This vibrant celebration, which falls around September 11 or 12 on the Gregorian calendar, marks the start of the Ethiopian New Year. 

The timing of Enkutatash coincides with the end of the rainy season and the beginning of the flower blooming season. For Ethiopians, it’s a time of renewal and joy, reflecting the rich tapestry of their culture and traditions.

The Ethiopia’s Unique Calendar

The Ethiopian calendar, deeply intertwined with the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, is a fascinating system that diverges significantly from the Gregorian calendar most of us are familiar with. 

Derived from ancient Coptic and Julian calendars, it operates on a different timeline due to its unique calculation of the birth of Jesus Christ. 

While the Gregorian calendar places Jesus’ birth between 1 B.C. and 1 A.D., the Ethiopian Orthodox calendar sets it about seven to eight years later. This discrepancy is why Ethiopia’s calendar is currently about seven to eight years behind the Gregorian calendar.

What the Ethiopian Calendar is all about

The Ethiopian calendar is a solar calendar with a distinct structure. It consists of 12 months, each with 30 days, plus an additional 13th month known as Pagumē. Pagumē has five days in a common year and six in a leap year, making a total of 365 or 366 days. 

This calendar’s design leads to a 13-month year, a feature that sets it apart from the Gregorian system.

Ethiopia’s approach to time also differs from the global norm. The Ethiopian day begins at 6:00 AM rather than midnight, and the day is divided into two 12-hour periods starting from this point. The months of the Ethiopian calendar start with Meskerem (September/October) and end with Nehasse (August), with Pagumē acting as a transitional period between the old and new years.

Ethiopia’s cultural significance and celebration

Enkutatash is not just a New Year celebration; it’s a cultural expression of Ethiopia’s historical continuity and resilience. Unlike many countries that were colonized and thus had their cultural practices altered, Ethiopia has preserved much of its ancient heritage. 

The celebration of Enkutatash reflects this enduring cultural identity, celebrating the end of the rainy season and the beauty of blooming flowers, symbolizing hope and renewal.

In summary, Ethiopia’s celebration of the New Year in September and its entry into 2017 are a result of its unique calendar system. This system, deeply rooted in historical and religious traditions, offers a fascinating glimpse into how different cultures experience time and mark the passage of years. 

While it may seem unusual from a global perspective, for Ethiopians, it’s a cherished tradition that connects them to their past and celebrates the present.