Ethiopian Consulate Invites Public to New Year Festivities

TDT| Manama

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

The Consulate General Office of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia in Bahrain has invited the public to join Enkutatash celebrations at Adhari Park on September 5th, starting from 3 PM. The cultural evening will feature traditional Ethiopian dances, the renowned coffee ceremony, and other highlights aimed at showcasing the country’s heritage.

Unlike much of the world that ushers in the New Year on January 1, Ethiopia follows its own ancient calendar. Known as Enkutatash, the Ethiopian New Year falls in September, marking the end of the rainy season and the beginning of sunshine and prosperity. This year, Ethiopia will celebrate the arrival of 2018 on September 11, while the Gregorian calendar marks 2025.

The seven-year gap is rooted in differing calculations of the birth of Jesus Christ. While the Roman Church fixed the year in AD 1, the Ethiopian Orthodox Church placed it in 8 AD, resulting in Ethiopia’s calendar running about seven years behind.

Enkutatash, which means “gift of jewels,” is also tied to seasonal blooms of the yellow “Meskel Flower,” symbolizing hope and renewal. For Ethiopians, it is a time of reflection, forgiveness, and fresh beginnings.