Ethiopia Welcomes the New Year 2017 today Amid Traditional Festivities

Ethiopia has officially marked the beginning of the year 2017, celebrating its unique New Year known as Enkutatash on September 11, 2024. This celebration follows the Ethiopian calendar, which differs from the Gregorian calendar by about seven to eight years due to different interpretations of the Annunciation of Christ. The Ethiopian calendar consists of 13 months—12 months of 30 days and an additional month of five or six days, depending on whether it is a leap year.

The Enkutatash holiday is a time of renewal, symbolizing the end of the rainy season and the arrival of brighter, sunnier days. It holds deep cultural significance as families come together to reflect on the past year and express hope for the future. Traditional food plays a major role in the festivities, with dishes such as injera (Ethiopia’s sourdough flatbread) and doro wat (a spicy chicken stew) being served during gatherings. These meals often symbolize unity and togetherness, as Ethiopians share in the joy of starting a new year.

The celebration is accompanied by various cultural performances, including music and dance that highlight Ethiopia’s rich and diverse heritage. Enkutatash is not only a moment for joy but also a time for gratitude, as many reflect on the challenges and blessings of the previous year while looking forward to new beginnings.

Ethiopia’s distinct calendar system and its culturally rich New Year celebrations make Enkutatash a special event for Ethiopians both at home and abroad, as they embrace their traditions while looking forward to a prosperous 2017