Enkutatash, the Ethiopian New Year
Addis Ababa – Wishing to feel years younger than your actual age? It may be a good idea to join Ethiopians today, as they celebrate the first day of the year 2010 with a lot of aromatic coffee. The following are some key facts about the Ethiopian New Year and what to watch on this festive day.
1. The Ethiopian New Year, or Enkutatash in Amharic language, falls on September 11 (or September 12 during a leap year). The East African nation uses a unique calendar, which counts its year seven to eight years behind the Gregorian calendar. Presently, the country is celebrating the arrival of 2010.
2. Enkutatash is literally translated as “gift of jewels,” a name that derives from the story of the Queen of Sheba. According to the Bible and other ancient texts, the ancient queen of Ethiopia traveled to Jerusalem to meet King Solomon, and there she sent him a large quantity of gold and precious stones. Upon her return to Ethiopia, local rulers welcomed her with plentiful jewels.
3. Enkutatash marks the end of the three-month rainy season, when bright autumn days return to the vastly highland nation. On the eve, each household or neighbors in group light wooden torches called “chibo” to symbolize the coming of the new season of sunshine.
4. Steeped in the Ethiopian Orthodox Church traditions, Enkutatash celebrations usually begin with church activities. New Year church programs start some time after mid-night on the eve and last into the next morning.
5. The New Year brings an extended family together to attend a series of events, including slaughtering of cattle, either a sheep, got or cow, depending on a household’s financial condition. Often, a community or a village will pool money to slaughter a cow (worth about 1,000 U.S. dollars) in group, while each household can choose to slaughter a less expensive sheep (about 110 dollars).
6. Coffee ceremony is an integral part of the celebration. The ritual of coffee serving and drinking, which can last for hours, is an important social occasion offering reunion for relatives and friends and a chance to discuss community matters while enjoying top-notch coffee. To be invited to a coffee ceremony in an Ethiopian family is a sign of great respect.
7. Enkutatash is also a special day for children. They gather in groups and go from house to house — girls play the Amharic song “Abebayehugn,” meaning “I have seen flowers,” with hand drums, while boys often present pictures painted by themselves — with expectations of praise and gifts. For children, the new attires from parents and gifts from community members are undoubtedly the most expected thing of Enkutatash.
Source: Xinhua
