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📅 holiday

Ethiopian New Year

Friday, September 11, 2026

— days to go

Ethiopean New Year’s Day is the first day of the month of Meskerem, which corresponds to 11 September on the Gregorian Calendar. The holiday is named “Enkutatash”, meaning “a gift of jewels” because it is thought that the Queen of Sheba returned to Ethiopia on this day some 3,000 years ago with a gift of jewels from King Solomon of Israel. In 2026, Ethiopian New Year falls on Friday 11 September. The holiday will be on Sunday 12 September in 2027. Why was September chosen as the beginning of the year in Ethiopia? First, because it is believed that this is the time of year when God created the world in seven days. Also, around the time of Ethiopian New Year, the amount of daylight and dark in a 24-hour day is exactly balanced. Finally, this is the time when the rainy, stormy months end and spring-like weather commences in Ethiopia. One New Year tradition is for groups of girls to travel around singing and carrying yellow flowers. People often reward the singers with food or money. Boys may make paintings and other artwork and give it out door-to-door on New Year’s Day. At home, families start up large bonfires and dance around them on Ethiopian New Year’s Eve. A feast may take place with menu items such as chicken stew, injera flatbread, coffee, honey wine, tela beer, and popcorn.

History

Ethiopean New Year’s Day is the first day of the month of Meskerem, which corresponds to 11 September on the Gregorian Calendar. The holiday is named “Enkutatash”, meaning “a gift of jewels” because it is thought that the Queen of Sheba returned to Ethiopia on this day some 3,000 years ago with a gift of jewels from King Solomon of Israel. In 2026, Ethiopian New Year falls on Friday 11 September. Why was September chosen as the beginning of the year in Ethiopia. First, because it is believed tha

How It's Celebrated

The holiday is named “Enkutatash”, meaning “a gift of jewels” because it is thought that the Queen of Sheba returned to Ethiopia on this day some 3,000 years ago with a gift of jewels from King Solomon of Israel. The holiday will be on Sunday 12 September in 2027. One New Year tradition is for group

Other Years

2026 Fri
11 Sep
2027 Sun
12 Sep
2028 Mon
11 Sep
2025 Thu
11 Sep
2024 Wed
11 Sep

Countries

🇪🇹 ET

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