New Year in The Land of Thirteen Months
The only nation in the world which has thirteenth months of a year celebrate its New Year on the 11th of September. This New Year but sometimes comes on 12th of September, which occurs once in every four years. The Ethiopian New Year is locally called “Enkutatash”. It is an Amharic word; official language of the country; meaning “gift of jewels”
The story of the name “Enkutatash”, refers queen of Sheba’s visit to King Solomon 3000 years back. According to the bible King 10; Queen of Sheba of ancient Ethiopian; heard of the fame of Solomon went to Israel and she gave him hundred and twenty talents of gold, and of spices very great store, and precious stones. Up on her return to Ethiopia from Jerusalem; her principals welcomed her with gifts of “enku” or jewels as a means to replenish her treasury gave to King Solomon.
Similar to the Gregorian calendar, the Ethiopian calendar consists of 12 months of 30 days. However, the Ethiopian calendar uses one additional month (thirteenth month), which consists of 5 days or 6 (adds one leap day every four years) as a means to fill the gap between a system of months. Fortunately, the upcoming yew year will be celebrated on 12th of September due to a leap day that occurs every four years so that only 9 days are left for the next New Year. The upcoming new year in Ethiopia is year of 2012, lack 7-8 years behind the Gregorian calendar, which I will write to you in detail about the history and calculation in my next post.
New Year celebration in Ethiopia is very charming. It consists of both spiritual and cultural ceremonies. Early in the morning of the New Year people goes to church for fellowship and praising the living God and girls gather flowers and sing the song of “Enkutatash”.
Families also visit their relatives, young children and boys provide small gifts of paint pictures of flowers and receive bread or money in return from their families and relatives. I Wish all Ethiopian A Happy New Year; 2012