Unlike the rest of the world, Ethiopia rings in its New Year, Enkutatash, on September 11, and not on January 1. This is because their unique calendar considers September, called Meskerem in Amharic, to be the first month of the year. The Ethiopian calendar is based on the Egyptian and Julian calendars, which were brought to Ethiopia by missionaries.
The Ethiopian New Year, or Enkutatash, is a beloved celebration that marks the first day of the Ethiopian calendar year. Rich in cultural traditions, the Ethiopian New Year is one of the most widely celebrated holidays in Ethiopia, uniting people from all regions, religions, and ethnic backgrounds.
Addis Ababa Meskel Square
The Meaning Behind Enkutatash
Enkutatash (Ge'ez: እንቁጣጣሽ) is a public holiday in coincidence of New Year in Ethiopia and Eritrea. The term Enkutatash loosely translates to “gift of jewels.” According to legend, it dates back to the time of the Queen of Sheba, who ruled the Ethiopian kingdom in the 10th century B.C.
According to Ethiopian tradition, on 11 September Queen of Sheba (Makeda in Ethiopian) returned to Ethiopia from her visit to King Solomon in Jerusalem. Her followers celebrated her return by giving her jewels.
Read also: Traditions of Enkutatash
According to legend, the Queen of Sheba returned from her famous visit King Solomon of Jerusalem some 3,000 years ago, with jewels gifted by her host. Upon her return, at the end of the dry summer season, yellow flowers began to bloom in the foothills surrounding Addis Ababa, signifying the end of a long drought and the start of new life within the country. In honour of their former empress, the festival was named Enkutatash, meaning the ‘gift of the jewels’, a name it still bears to this day.
Over time, this tradition has evolved to mark the start of a new year on the Ethiopian calendar, celebrating the blessings of life, the end of a rainy season, and the promise of brighter days ahead. The name itself reflects the joy and prosperity that Ethiopians associate with the New Year, as families and communities join together in both prayer and festive activities to welcome fresh beginnings.
The Ethiopian Calendar
The Ethiopian counting of years begins in the year 8 of the common era. This is because the common era follows the calculations of Dionysius, a 6th-century monk, while the non-Chalcedonian countries continued to use the calculations of Annianus, a 5th-century monk, which had placed the Annunciation of Christ exactly 8 years later.
Did you like it? Ethiopians follow a 13-month calendar similar to that used in many Eastern Orthodox churches, trailing the western calendar by seven years and eight months. On the Gregorian calendar, Ethiopian New year falls on the 11th September.
Another unusual aspect of the Ethiopian calendar is that it has 13 months. The Ethiopian year consists of 12 months of 30 days, plus a thirteenth month (Pagume) of five or six timekeeping days.
Read also: Celebrating Enkutatash
Ethiopian Calendar
Traditions and Celebrations
Ethiopian New Year traditions are deeply rooted in the nation’s cultural and religious fabric, carrying unique elements that distinguish it from other New Year celebrations around the world. Each region of Ethiopia has its own distinct customs, but certain practices are shared nationwide.
Celebrations for the Ethiopian New Year are usually focused on family events and tend to last a week or more. 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.
New Year’s Eve: Bonfires and Preparation
The festivities begin the night before Meskerem 1 with the lighting of small bonfires in front of homes. This ritual, often referred to as Demera, is a joyful sight, with families gathering around the flames to symbolically bid farewell to the old year. In many ways, this tradition resembles the Western tradition of decorating Christmas trees, as each bonfire is made from twigs or branches, chosen and arranged by family members in a show of togetherness.
Read also: Celebrating Ethiopian New Year in Style
The holiday starts on New Year‘s Eve when each household comes together to light wooden torches, which symbolize the coming of the new season of sunshine after the end of the rainy season.
how to make Ethiopian Doro wot ( chicken stew) the best national food of Ethiopi ምርጥ የዶሮ ወጥ አሰራር
As the fires crackle, the air fills with the comforting aroma of freshly baked traditional dabo (bread) and the sounds of animals that will be prepared for the upcoming feast. Children and adults alike partake in the excitement, looking forward to the morning’s celebration.
New Year’s Day: Food, Family, and Festivity
The dawn of Ethiopian New Year’s day begins with preparations for a festive meal, which traditionally includes the slaughtering of animals, a practice carried out by families who come together to mark the special occasion. The feasts are magnificent and there is so much to eat and drink all the way. One of their most popular dishes, known as Doro wot (chicken stew), is the highlight of the holiday menu. This dish takes at least half a day to prepare, is served with injera (a flatbread) and washed down with local alcoholic drinks.
The meal itself typically consists of injera-a spongy, slightly sour flatbread made from an indigenous grain called teff-accompanied by rich, flavorful wot, a spicy stew made from chicken (doro wot) or lamb (tibs wot), often seasoned with berbere, a special Ethiopian spice blend.
According to InCultureParent, "after attending church in the morning, families gather to share a traditional meal of injera (flat bread) and wat (sauce). Later in the day, young girls donning new clothes, gather daisies and present friends with a bouquet, singing New Year's songs."
If you’re looking to try out the world-famous Ethiopian coffee in all its glory, then there’s no better time than this holiday. Served with popcorn and complimented by a pleasant frankincense aroma, this coffee is rich yet simple and definitely a must-try during your stay in Ethiopia.
The Ethiopian New Year feast is followed by a traditional coffee ceremony, one of the most cherished and time-honored traditions in Ethiopian culture. Families and neighbors gather to partake in freshly roasted coffee, brewed and poured three times in a sign of respect and unity, while elders offer blessings for health, prosperity, and peace.
Children's Role in the Celebration
Ethiopian children celebrating new year
While adults handle the food preparation, children also have their own unique ways of celebrating Enkutatash. Boys and girls go door-to-door, dressed in traditional white attire with colorful accents, sharing hand-painted pictures of flowers, angels, or other symbols of goodwill. This delightful custom sees the young being rewarded with small gifts, often coins or pieces of fresh bread, for their creativity and effort.
One of the most fascinating practices of the New Year is when groups of young Ethiopian girls go around performing a song called ‘Abebayehosh.’ You could be at home watching TV or just out for a leisure stroll when the girls approach serenading you with song and some pretty good drumming. As a token of appreciation, people usually respond with money or bread prepared for the holidays. Expect to receive heartwarming praises from the kids, wishing you more riches and good fortune for the coming year.
Girls often sing traditional songs, filling the streets with joyous music that brings a smile to every doorstep.
The Symbol of Meskel Daisies
One of the most iconic symbols of Enkutatash is the blooming of the Meskel daisies, locally known as Adey Abeba, generally translated as Ethiopian new year flower. These bright yellow flowers cover the Ethiopian highlands, lending a vibrant, festive touch to the landscapes and inspiring hope for the new year. The flowers’ blooming signals the transition from the rainy season to a drier, sunnier period, reflecting nature’s renewal alongside the cultural celebration.
Families often pick or purchase bunches of these daisies to adorn their homes, giving a festive and symbolic touch to the celebration.
Music and Dance
Music plays a special role in the Ethiopian New Year, as popular musicians release songs that celebrate the spirit of Enkutatash. These songs, often imbued with lyrics of hope, resilience, and joy, resonate deeply with the Ethiopian people, and are played at gatherings, parties, and even on national television and radio, uniting people in a shared celebration of the New Year’s promise.
In both rural and urban areas, it is common to see families, friends, and neighbors come together for dance and music-filled gatherings. Communities organize local events that range from traditional dance performances to poetry readings, all of which reinforce the Ethiopian values of community and gratitude.
Regional Variations
Enkutatash celebrations vary across Ethiopia. In the capital city of Addis Ababa, Enkutatash is celebrated with grand parades, concerts, and exhibitions showcasing Ethiopian art and culture. Lalibela, known for its rock-hewn churches, hosts a unique Enkutatash celebration. Gondar’s Enkutatash festivities are marked by horse racing, a tradition that dates back to the time of Emperor Fasilides.
A Time for Reflection and Renewal
The Ethiopian New Year is one of the best times to experience the ancient and glorious country of Ethiopia. The Ethiopian New Year is more than just a holiday; it is a celebration of Ethiopian identity, heritage, and spirituality. It represents a time of renewal, joy, and gratitude for life’s blessings, and a commitment to familial and community bonds. As Ethiopians around the world celebrate Enkutatash, they carry forward ancient traditions, keeping them alive and vibrant with each generation.
The resilience of Ethiopian traditions, even amidst modernization, demonstrates the people’s enduring respect for their heritage. This respect is apparent in the pride with which they welcome Enkutatash every year, embracing both the past and the promise of a brighter future.
As the Meskel daisies bloom and the Ethiopian sun emerges from the rain-filled clouds, Enkutatash brings a profound sense of peace, hope, and connection to people across the country. The Ethiopian New Year is a time for families to come together, for friends to share joy, and for communities to celebrate a collective identity that has endured for centuries.
This season of renewal and rebirth is a chance for everyone to look forward with optimism, to seek blessings for the year to come, and to express gratitude for the joys of life.
