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. For Ethiopians, it’s an important day that also symbolizes the beginning of good harvest weather following the rainy months.
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.
Ethiopia still follows the Julian calendar, established in 25 BC. The Julian calendar divides a year into 12 months of 30 days plus an extra month, Pagume, which is five or six days long depending on the year.
Ethiopian New Year traditions
When is Ethiopian New Year?
Ethiopian New Year falls on September 11th (or September 12th in a leap year) according to the Gregorian calendar. As the three months of heavy summer rains draw to a close and the bright Ethiopian sun begins to shine over lush, green landscapes, Enkutatash ushers in a season of renewal, reflection, and optimism. It is a celebration filled with meaningful traditions, beautiful imagery, and a sense of national pride.
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The date marks the approximate end of the rainy season and Ethiopians believe that the month of September has different signs explaining why it should be celebrated as the start of a New Year. Once every September, the numbers of daylight hours and nighttime hours happen to be exactly equal across the world, which is another reason Ethiopians celebrate New Year during this month.
The Meaning of Enkutatash
The term Enkutatash loosely translates to “gift of jewels.”
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. This holiday is based on the Ethiopian calendar.
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. Upon her return to Ethiopia after a historic visit to King Solomon of Israel, her subjects gifted her with precious jewels, marking her return with a grand celebration. Enkutatash has thus come to symbolize abundance, gratitude, and giving-a gesture of goodwill from one generation to the next.
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.
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Ethiopian New Year 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.
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.
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 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.
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. Girls often sing traditional songs, filling the streets with joyous music that brings a smile to every doorstep.
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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.
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.
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."
The Symbol of Meskel Daisies and the Bright Ethiopian Landscape
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.
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. They carry bright-yellow flowers, which grow in Ethiopia only from September to November. 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.
Ethiopian New Year Music
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.
Modern Interpretations
While the essence of Enkutatash remains rooted in traditional practices, modernity has brought new elements to the celebration. Urban centers, such as Addis Ababa, often host public concerts, art exhibitions, and televised programs, featuring popular Ethiopian personalities who share messages of hope and unity. Social media platforms are also abuzz with greetings and messages from Ethiopians in the diaspora, creating a virtual community that bridges distances and keeps cultural ties strong.
Furthermore, many Ethiopians now embrace a blend of traditional and contemporary celebrations, incorporating modern decor and dishes alongside traditional foods, songs, and dances. The fusion of old and new enriches the celebration, making Enkutatash accessible to younger generations while honoring Ethiopia’s rich history and cultural diversity.
Welcoming the Ethiopian New Year with Open Hearts
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.
