Ethiopian New Year
Ethiopian New Year, known as Enkutatash, is celebrated annually on September 11, except in leap years when it falls on September 12. This holiday marks the end of the rainy season in Ethiopia, a country rich in history and culture, with a population of approximately 108 million people as of 2020. The Ethiopian calendar is based on the ancient Coptic calendar, and the New Year symbolizes a time of renewal and rebirth, coinciding with the blooming of various flowers.
Traditionally, young children participate by gathering flowers and visiting neighborhoods to receive treats like roasted grain in exchange. The significance of the celebration has grown internationally, particularly among the Ethiopian diaspora in countries like the United States, who seek to raise awareness of their cultural heritage. In 2018, the celebrations gained additional importance as they marked the reopening of borders between Ethiopia and Eritrea, following a historic peace agreement. Overall, Ethiopian New Year reflects both a deep-rooted cultural tradition and a moment of hope and renewal for many.
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Ethiopian New Year
Ethiopian New Year
September 11 of every year is New Year's Day in the East African nation of Ethiopia, with the exception of leap years, when the New Year is celebrated on September 12.
Ethiopia is a large country, nearly half a million square miles in size. Formally known as the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, it had approximately 108 million inhabitants as of 2020, the vast majority of whom live off the land. The capital and largest city is Addis Ababa, with slightly more than a million residents. Ethiopia is an ancient country; its civilization goes back thousands of years and it is even mentioned in the Bible. Christianity flourished there from early times and, even though the land was later surrounded by primarily Muslim neighbors, Ethiopia continued to be a stronghold of the Christian faith for many centuries. The Ethiopian calendar follows the ancient calendar of the Coptic denomination of Christianity, although the modern Western calendar is used for business. The New Year, known as Enkutatash, falls on September 11 because that day traditionally marks the end of the rainy season, and the subsequent bloom of many varieties of flowers signifies the rebirth of the land and thus a new year. On this day small children customarily gather flowers and take them from door to door in their neighborhoods, getting treats such as roasted grain in return. In the early twenty-first century, people of Ethiopian descent in other countries, particularly the United States, celebrated the Ethiopian New Year and hoped to spread its recognition more widely. In 2018, the New Year celebration was given even greater significance when it simultaneously marked the reopening of border points between the long-feuding Eritrea and Ethiopia following a peace deal reached in July.
Bibliography
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"How to Celebrate the Ethiopian New Year." Absolute Ethiopia Tours, absoluteethiopia.com/how-to-celebrate-the-ethiopian-new-year/. Accessed 23 Apr. 2020.
Maasho, Aaron. "Ethiopia, Eritrea Reopen Border Points for First Time in 20 Years." U.S. News & World Report, 11 Sept. 2018, www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2018-09-11/ethiopian-eritrean-leaders-visit-border-together-to-celebrate-ethiopian-new-year. Accessed 23 Apr. 2020.
Tafesse, Serkalem. "How to Celebrate the Ethiopian New Year." Culture Trip, 12 Sept. 2018, theculturetrip.com/africa/ethiopia/articles/how-to-celebrate-the-ethiopian-new-year/. Accessed 23 Apr. 2020.