Summary
Ethiopia is celebrating the start of its new year, marked as 2018 in their unique calendar which is seven years behind the Western calendar. The celebration called Enkutatash involves traditional activities like selling flowers and grass for coffee ceremonies and preparing special meals. People gather for music, traditional songs, church services, and community events.
Key Facts
- Ethiopia uses a calendar that is seven years behind the Western calendar, so they are celebrating the year 2018.
- The Ethiopian New Year celebration is called Enkutatash.
- Traditional yellow flowers, called "adey ababa," are sold during the New Year celebrations.
- Coffee, a significant part of Ethiopian culture, is prepared in traditional ceremonies using flowers and grass as decorations.
- Markets in Addis Ababa are busy with people preparing for the holiday by buying goods like chickens and mutton.
- Chickens, used for a dish called "doro wat," are popular for holiday meals, while wealthier families might choose mutton or oxen.
- The Ethiopian calendar has 13 months, with the first 12 having 30 days, and the 13th month having five or six days during leap years.
- The New Year marks the end of the rainy season and is seen as a time of renewal.
