The Ethiopian Calendar and New Year

The Ethiopian Calendar

Ethiopians are the only people who use their own calendar. According to Ethiopian Calendar each month has thirty days. There are also five days extra, which make one extra month that makes Ethiopia, a country of thirteen months of sunshine. Every four years there are 366 days in Ethiopia. The sun shines half of the day, out of the 24 hours. The other half of the day is dark.
Because Ethiopia is a country of thirteen months of sunshine, there is no need to worry about the heating or the cooling system. In the extra five days people do not expect increment of pay on rent or salary. This is good for the gross economic development of the country.

Ethiopian New Year

New Year in Ethiopia is a major holiday. It is celebrated every September 1st. In September Ethiopia is green everywhere. The rainfall decreases from day to day, though; farmers need it a lot. If there is enough rainfall in September people eat well throughout the year.
Regarding the Calendar, Ethiopia is less than other countries by 7 or 8 days. Each month in Ethiopia is 30 days long. One month is 5 days long. The total is 365 days. Every four years, however; it is 366 days.

According to Ethiopian calendar Jesus, was born, two millennia ago. Now it is 2007 A.D. According to European Calendar it is 2014 A.D. Though, Jesus tumbled in flesh from heaven to earth, He is Alpha & Omega-

Ethiopian Calendar is unique. 12 hours light and 12 hours night. In Ethiopia morning starts, when the sun rises. When day time starts Ethiopians say good morning. Europeans say:” Good morning in the middle of the dark.” If they depart after a few minutes:” they say good night.” Thus, whenever you have an appointment with an Ethiopian by origin, ask him whether it is according to Ethiopian or European calendar. You will miss the appointment, when the Ethiopian counts his way and you count your way. Clear understanding is awesome. Take the example of park way and drive way. So, be cautious not to drive on the park way and not to park on the drive way.

Ethiopians count each day when the sun rises to twelve until the sun sets, counting none stop, 12345etc…until it is 12. In these 12 hours people are busy. When the sun sets, night time starts. When the night starts, they count none stop 1, 23456789, 10,11, 12, until the sun rises and dark time withers away.

# Source:- Insight into Ethiopia by Molla Tikuye, published by Xulon Press.


By

Molla T.Nigatu