Ethiopian New Year

The Ethiopian New Year is also known as,  Enkutatash translates to “gift of jewels” in Amharic. The holiday also symbolizes the end of the dry summer season in Ethiopia and the start of a new season of sunshine.  This is  a time for renewal and hope. The holiday tradition of exchanging good wishes and small gifts among family and friends also reflects the meaning of Enkutatash. There is NO FASTING associated with this holiday.

“In September, the number of daylight and nighttime hours are the same, and this another reason why September is considered spiritually significant in the eyes of early Ethiopian Christians. Despite its religious connotations and history, Enkutatash is not an exclusively religious holiday.

Celebrated by believers and non-believers alike, this time of year is seen as a period for community and family, a time when we forget the grievances and embrace a collective shared experience.

Gifts are often exchanged, with more traditional families welcoming guests with bouquets of the yellow flowers found on the foothills surrounding Addis Ababa, the same flowers that greeted the Queen of Sheba all those years ago.”

Enkutatash is the word for the Ethiopian new year in Amharic, the official language of Ethiopia, while it is called Ri’se Awde Amet (Head Anniversary) in Ge’ez, the term preferred by the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church. It occurs on September 11 in the Gregorian calendar, except for the year before each western leap year, when it occurs on September 12.

Reference: www.brilliant-ethiopia.com/ethiopian-new-year

Photo by John Iglar (cc license).