Ethiopian Calendar
Ethiopia follows a unique calendar system known as the Ge’ez calendar. This calendar is approximately seven to eight years behind the Gregorian calendar commonly used worldwide. The Ge’ez calendar has 13 months: 12 months of 30 days each and one month with 5 or 6 days, depending on whether it’s a leap year.
The Ethiopian New Year, known as Enkutatash, is celebrated on Meskerem 1st, which falls on September 11th (or 12th in a Gregorian leap year). The calendar is based on the ancient Coptic calendar, and its unique features reflect Ethiopia’s historical and cultural distinctiveness.
One fascinating aspect of the Ge’ez calendar is how it affects holidays and celebrations in Ethiopia. For instance, Christmas (Genna) is celebrated on January 7th, and Easter (Fasika) follows a different date calculation. This calendar system adds an extra layer of cultural richness to Ethiopia’s traditions and celebrations.