Enkutatash — Ethiopian New Year (11/09)

Currently, Ethiopia is perhaps the only state in the world where the Julian calendar is still used not only in church life, but also in secular life.

On September 11 or September 12 (depending on the year), Ethiopia celebrates the New Year (Ethiopian New Year) — Enkutatash.

Translated from Ethiopian, Enkutatash means «Jewel Offering Day». According to legend, the date of the new year was approved by the Queen of Sheba. After her return from King Solomon of Jerusalem, she was greeted by enthusiastic subjects with the offering of precious stones. The return of the queen marked the beginning of a new era for Ethiopia, whose emperors led their family from King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba.

The largest New Year celebrations take place in the 14th century church — Costele Johannes (St. John) in the city of Gaint in the state of Gondar. Over the course of three days, a colorful procession prepares to celebrate the New Year, priests read psalms, sermons, prayers and hymns. Enkutatash is also widely celebrated near Addis Ababa, in the Ragual Church on Mount Entoto.

According to tradition, they begin to celebrate the holiday the night before. Ethiopians make eucalyptus or spruce fires. The largest fire of trees, about 6 meters long, is built in the main square of Addis Ababa, and the king (governor or President), to the applause and hooting of the crowd, sets this fire with a torch.

Fire — is a sign of warmth. Everyone looks at the flames with hope, rejoices and has fun. The stronghold of the fire is a powerful tree. Those gathered in the square are watching where the burnt top of the tree will fall. There is a belief that it will indicate the side where there will be a large harvest in the coming year. People consider this a sign of God.

Early in the morning, people dressed in national clothes go to church. After church, they go home to taste the ingers (white flat bread) and the uat (stew) at the family meal.

But Enkutatash is not only a religious holiday. It also marks the end of the heavy rainy season and the arrival of spring. On this day, children dress up in colorful clothes, weave wreaths from flowers and distribute them. The girls go door to door and sing in anticipation of a monetary reward, while the boys sell paintings that they themselves painted.

In the evening they go to visit friends and relatives and drink tella (traditional Ethiopian beer). While adults are busy discussing their hopes for next year, children go to spend the money they earn. Recently, it has become common for wealthy citizens to send each other greeting cards instead of the traditional bouquet of flowers.

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