What if we told you that you are currently in 2017 and not 2024? I’m sure you’d be excited because that scrapes at least 7 years off your life.
ADVERTISEMENT
Why is Ethiopia just entering 2017 and celebrating a New Year in September?
Are you wondering why Ethiopia is just entering a new year and it's 2017?
Ethiopian New Year [Youtube/hannahjoytv]
Recommended articles
![The richest city in the world [gettyimages]](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20width%3D'100'%20height%3D'100'%20data-ring-placeholder%3D'1'%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E "The richest city in the world [gettyimages]")
Well, it’s New Year in Ethiopia, and here’s why:
The Ethiopian New Year
The Ethiopian New Year, Enkutatash, is an elaborate cultural event that signifies the nation's rich history.
ADVERTISEMENT
Ethiopia was not colonised by the rest of the world, so it still maintains most of its culture and traditions.
The Ethiopian calendar is closely linked with the Ethiopian Orthodox Church.
The Ethiopian calendar
The Ethiopian calendar is derived from the ancient Coptic and Julian calendars.
ADVERTISEMENT
The main difference between the Ethiopian and Gregorian calendars (which we currently use) is the calculation of Jesus Christ's birth year.
The Gregorian calendar and the Ethiopian Orthodox calendar have different dates for the birth of Christ.
The Gregorian calendar places it between 1 B.C. and 1 A.D., while the Ethiopian Orthodox calendar sets it seven to eight years later.
This difference in dates is why the years don't match between the two calendars.
The Ethiopian calendar is a solar calendar with 12 months (30 days each) plus an additional 13th month (Pagumē) with five or six days in leap years. It also has 365 days in a month.
ADVERTISEMENT
However, it's New Year, and Enkutatash is on Meskerem 1. This is usually around September 11 or 12 on the Gregorian calendar.
The date coincides with the end of Ethiopia's rainy season when flowers start to grow again. It is always a celebratory occasion.
![Ethiopians celebrating the New Year [ourtoday]](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20width%3D'790'%20height%3D'527'%20data-ring-placeholder%3D'1'%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E "Ethiopians celebrating the New Year [ourtoday]")
Ethiopians celebrating the New Year [ourtoday]
Pulse Nigeria
ALSO READ: 5 countries that are not in the New Year
Difference between how Ethiopia calculates dates and months and the rest of the world
ADVERTISEMENT
- Ethiopia calculates time much differently than the rest of the world. The day begins at 6:00 AM and not midnight at 12 AM.
- The day is divided into two 12-hour parts, starting at 6:00 AM and ending at 18:00 AM.
- Ethiopian calendar months have unique names, beginning with Meskerem (September/October) and ending with Nehasse (August).
- Pagumē, the 13th month, serves as a brief transition between the old and new years.
- Ethiopian Christmas is called Genna, and it happens on January 7.
JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!
ADVERTISEMENT
Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:
Email: eyewitness@pulse.ng
Recommended articles
5 causes of ovulation pain and how to find relief
How to know if your ex is still stalking your social media
Is your laptop camera spying on you? Here's why you should always cover it
3 reasons never to leave your toothbrush in the bathroom
This is the richest city in the world; it’s worth more than 25 times Nigeria’s GDP
Honouring Nigeria's Finest: Top Highlights from Indomie Heroes Awards 2024
5 foods that keep your stomach full for longer
Unraveling the fabric of fair compensation for fashion and textile industries workers at the BRICS+ Fashion Summit 2024
5 safest countries in the world you can visit
Who nailed it? Rating 5 Ayra Starr makeup recreation
5 Indoor birthday shoot ideas you can do yourself
Nasarawa teacher, Ifechukwu emerges 2024 Maltina Teacher of the Year…wins ₦10m prize
Pulse Sports
CAF releases statement as Nigeria’s Super Eagles remain stranded in Libya
‘He no go stop'- Osimhen tells Boniface after another poor Super Eagles performance
Where is Sha'Carri Richardson? Olympic star resurfaces with endearing photo and inspiration from her grandmother's museum
Libyan authorities hold Super Eagles, officials hostage at the Al Abaq airport in Al Abaq
Ex-Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham desperate to return to Nigeria after rejecting Super Eagles
Super Eagles 1-0 Libya: Nigerians compare Fisayo Dele-Bashiru to legend Jay-Jay Okocha
Nigeria vs Libya: Fisayo is the new Okocha, another Boniface stinker among 3 things we learnt from Super Eagles triumph
Super Eagles star Victor Boniface matches Okocha’s record
Naija stars abroad: Boniface shines in disappointment as Okoye makes Super Eagles starting claim
ADVERTISEMENT
![How to make Capri-Sun at home [CaprisunNigeria]](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20width%3D'300'%20height%3D'172'%20data-ring-placeholder%3D'1'%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E "How to make Capri-Sun at home [CaprisunNigeria]")