Ethiopian New Year's Day

What Is Ethiopian New Year’s Day?

Ethiopian New Year’s Day, known locally as Enkutatash, signifies the beginning of the new year in the Ethiopian calendar. It is a significant observance in both Ethiopia and Eritrea, where it is typically recognised as a public holiday. This day marks not only a new calendrical cycle but also a period of seasonal transition, celebrating the end of the heavy rainy season.

The day’s customs incorporate various cultural and religious elements, reflecting the historical depth of the region. Observances typically include family gatherings, traditional meals, the exchange of gifts, and attendance at church services. The bright yellow Adey Abeba flower, which blooms around this time, is a prominent symbol of the holiday.

History and Origins of Ethiopian New Year’s Day

The Ethiopian calendar, which governs the date of Enkutatash, is an ancient calendrical system rooted in the Julian calendar. It maintains a seven to eight-year difference from the Gregorian calendar, meaning that the Ethiopian year begins approximately seven to eight years later than the Gregorian year. For example, when the Gregorian calendar is in 2024, the Ethiopian calendar might be in 2016.

The name “Enkutatash” is traditionally associated with the return of the legendary Queen Sheba from her visit to King Solomon. According to folklore, her return to Ethiopia was met with a grand celebration where she was showered with jewels, hence the name “gift of jewels.” Beyond this narrative, the timing of Enkutatash also has astronomical and agricultural significance, coinciding with the autumnal equinox and the flourishing of new growth after the rainy season. The Ethiopian calendar itself is derived from the ancient Coptic calendar, featuring 12 months of 30 days each, plus a 13th month of five or six intercalary days.

How Ethiopian New Year’s Day Is Celebrated

Celebrations for Ethiopian New Year’s Day are characterised by a blend of domestic traditions, communal activities, and religious observances. Homes are thoroughly cleaned and often adorned with fresh grass and the yellow Adey Abeba flowers. Families frequently purchase new clothes to wear for the occasion, symbolising a fresh start.

A central element of the celebration is the family meal, with Doro Wot, a spicy chicken stew, being a common festive dish served with Injera (a sourdough flatbread). Children play a notable role in the festivities; girls often gather flowers and sing traditional songs while boys present painted pictures to family members, hoping to receive small gifts or money in return. Bonfires, known as Adey Abeba, are lit on the eve of the New Year, particularly in rural areas, symbolising the passing of the old year and the arrival of the new. Church services are also well-attended, as many Ethiopians and Eritreans observe Orthodox Tewahedo Christianity, which plays a central role in cultural traditions.

When Is Ethiopian New Year’s Day?

Ethiopian New Year’s Day, or Enkutatash, is observed on the 1st day of Meskerem in the Ethiopian calendar. Due to the differences between the Ethiopian and Gregorian calendars, this date typically falls on 11 September in the Gregorian calendar. However, in the year preceding a Gregorian leap year, Enkutatash is celebrated on 12 September.

This slight shift occurs because the Ethiopian calendar incorporates its leap year every four years without exception, aligning with the Julian calendar’s practice. In contrast, the Gregorian calendar omits leap days in century years not divisible by 400. This systemic difference leads to the occasional one-day variance in the Gregorian date for Enkutatash.

Ethiopian New Year’s Day Key Facts