Enkutatash (Ge'ez: እንቁጣጣሽ) is New Year in Ethiopia. It occurs on Meskerem 1 on the Ethiopian calendar, which is 11 September (or, during a leap year, 12 September) according to the Gregorian calendar.
According to Ethiopian tradition, on 11 September, the Queen of Sheba (Makeda in Amheric) returned to Ethiopia from her visit to King Solomon in Jerusalem. Her followers celebrated her return by giving her jewels. ‘‘Enkutatash’’ means the ‘‘gift of jewels’’.
Upon her return, at the end of the dry summer season, yellow flowers began to bloom in the foothills surrounding Addis Ababa (the name means "new flower"), signifying the end of a long drought and the start of new life within the country.
Today is a day for celebration, beginning with gathering for worship, and for enjoying traditional Ethiopian dishes like injera (made from a gluten-free millet called teff), doro wot (a spicy chicken stew), and coffee.
As nighttime approaches, families gather and begin building a bonfire, which is lit at sunset and kept burning until sunrise.
Because Ethiopia uses the Gregorian calendar (also known as the Ethiopian or Ge'ez calendar) 11 September 2011, begins the year 2017. So when I go back to Ethiopia I will be 7 years younger!
Praying for Ethiopia in this difficult time for them as a country.
Praying that peace will reign in this new year.
Enkutatash
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