Question 1

What is the Ethiopian calendar?

Accepted Answer

The Ethiopian calendar, also called the Ge'ez calendar, is the principal calendar used in Ethiopia and Eritrea. It is based on the older Alexandrian or Coptic calendar, which in turn derives from the ancient Egyptian calendar. The Ethiopian calendar has twelve months of 30 days each, plus a thirteenth short month called Pagumē that has 5 days in a common year and 6 days in a leap year. It is approximately 7 to 8 years behind the Gregorian calendar because it follows an alternate calculation of the Annunciation date.

Question 2

How many years is the Ethiopian calendar behind the Gregorian calendar?

Accepted Answer

The Ethiopian calendar is roughly 7 to 8 years behind the Gregorian calendar. From January 1 to September 10 (or September 11 in a Gregorian leap year), the difference is 8 years. After the Ethiopian New Year (Enkutatash), which falls on September 11 or 12 in the Gregorian calendar, the gap narrows to 7 years. This offset exists because the Ethiopian Orthodox Church uses an earlier date for the Annunciation of Jesus compared to the Roman Catholic tradition that the Gregorian calendar follows.

Question 3

How many months does the Ethiopian calendar have?

Accepted Answer

The Ethiopian calendar has 13 months in total. The first twelve months — Meskerem, Tikimt, Hidar, Tahsas, Tir, Yekatit, Megabit, Miyazya, Ginbot, Sene, Hamle, and Nehase — each have exactly 30 days. The thirteenth month, Pagumē, is a short month of 5 days in a regular year and 6 days in a leap year. This structure gives the Ethiopian calendar 365 or 366 days per year, similar to the Gregorian calendar but organized differently.

Question 4

What is Pagumē in the Ethiopian calendar?

Accepted Answer

Pagumē (ጳጉሜ) is the thirteenth and shortest month of the Ethiopian calendar. It comes at the end of the year, after the month of Nehase, and lasts for only 5 days in a common year or 6 days in a leap year. The name derives from the Greek word "epagomene," meaning "additional days." Pagumē serves the same purpose as the extra day in February during a Gregorian leap year — it reconciles the calendar year with the solar year of approximately 365.25 days.

Question 5

What does Ginbot mean in the Ethiopian calendar?

Accepted Answer

Ginbot (ግንቦት) is the ninth month of the Ethiopian calendar, spanning from approximately May 9 to June 7 in the Gregorian calendar. The name Ginbot is believed to derive from an ancient Ge'ez word. During Ginbot, Ethiopia transitions from the dry season into the early rains. The month holds historical significance as several important national events have occurred during this period. Ginbot has 30 days, like all of the twelve main months of the Ethiopian calendar.

Question 6

How is Enkutatash (Ethiopian New Year) celebrated?

Accepted Answer

Enkutatash (እንቁጣጣሽ), meaning "gift of jewels," is celebrated on Meskerem 1, which falls on September 11 (or September 12 in a Gregorian leap year). Families prepare traditional feasts and wear new clothes. Children go door to door singing traditional New Year songs and offering bouquets of wildflowers called Abeba. Homes are decorated with fresh-cut grass and flowers. In churches, special services are held the night before. The holiday coincides with the end of the heavy rains, marking the return of sunshine and blooming landscapes across Ethiopia.

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Ethiopian Calendar ↔ Gregorian Converter

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