Ethiopia’s unique timing for celebrating the New Year and its calendar system are due to its use of the Ethiopian calendar, which differs from the Gregorian calendar used by most of the world. Here’s why Ethiopia is just entering the year 2017 and celebrating New Year in September:
1. Ethiopian Calendar Overview:
- Calendar System: Ethiopia uses the Ethiopian calendar, which is also known as the Ge’ez calendar. This calendar is based on the Coptic calendar and has 13 months.
- Months: The Ethiopian calendar consists of 12 months of 30 days each and an additional month called “Pagumē” that has 5 days in a common year and 6 days in a leap year.
- Year Length: The Ethiopian calendar year is roughly 365.25 days long, similar to the Gregorian calendar but slightly different in its calculation of leap years.
2. New Year Date:
- Ethiopian New Year: The Ethiopian New Year, known as “Enkutatash,” falls on Meskerem 1, which corresponds to September 11th (or September 12th in a Gregorian leap year). This is different from January 1st in the Gregorian calendar.
3. Year Difference:
- Offset: The Ethiopian calendar is approximately 7-8 years behind the Gregorian calendar. As of 2024 in the Gregorian calendar, it is 2017 in the Ethiopian calendar. This discrepancy is due to differences in the calculation of the birth year of Jesus Christ and variations in the way years are counted.
4. Historical and Cultural Factors:
- Cultural Tradition: The Ethiopian calendar has been used for centuries in Ethiopia and is deeply rooted in the country’s history and religious practices. The calendar’s structure and the timing of New Year celebrations reflect Ethiopia’s unique cultural and historical context.
- Religious Significance: The Ethiopian calendar is closely linked with the Ethiopian Orthodox Church and its liturgical practices. Many Ethiopian holidays and observances are based on this calendar.
In summary, Ethiopia is in the year 2017 according to its own calendar system, and it celebrates the New Year in September due to the Ethiopian calendar’s unique structure and historical origins.