Enkutatash or Ethiopian New Year is celebrated on September 11th according to the Western or Gregorian calendar. Ethiopia still follows the Orthodox Julian calendar which consists of 12 months of 30 days and a 13th month, Pagume, of five or six days, depending on whether or not it is a leap year. The Ethiopian calendar is seven years and eight months behind the Gregorian calendar.
Enkutatash is an important festival in the lives of Ethiopians. After three months of heavy rains the sun comes out creating a beautiful clear fresh atmosphere.
( A personal note is that Addis is never as lovely as it is after the rains - the skies clear and the views from Entoto mountain are fantastic - the lovely yellow blooms of the Meskel flower temporarily change the look of the entire countryside.)
When the Queen of Sheba, returned to Ethiopia, after her famous visit to King Solomon, her chiefs welcomed her forward by giving her jewels. Enkutatash which means gift of jewels - has been celebrated ever since in the Spring.
On New Year's Eve, torches of dry leaves and wood bundled in the form of tall and thick sticks are also set on fire in front of houses as the young and old sing.
As part of the celebration, in the morning everybody goes to Church wearing traditional Ethiopian clothing. After attending the religious ceremony, there is a family meal of injera and doro wat.
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