About Ethiopia

Ethiopia

A land histrionic natural contrasts and variety. One of the world’s oldest countries rich in nature with vast historical phenomena, the lofty mountainous country was onerous for European to colonize along with the eminent people. As history narrates about Ethiopian legends, the sole independent African country and the only black people who defeated the armed troop of Italian in 1896, without having a proper and mechanized army (only with spear and shield). The Mussolini dream was the same as most European colonizers, peculating the country’s ancient historical and religious heritages but, the patriot people parry and send back the troops to where they came from.

The only African country with its own calendar and alphabet, The Ethiopian calendar has twelve months of thirty days plus five or six epagomenal days, which comprise a thirteenth month. The Ethiopian months begin on the same days as those of the Coptic calendar (Egyptian Orthodox church), but their names are in Ge’ez (the oldest languages of Ethiopia currently used in the Ethiopian orthodox Tewahdo church). A sixth epagomenal day is added every four years, without exception, on August 29 of the Julian calendar, six months before the corresponding Julian leap day.

The Calendar of Ethiopia

Legends say the Ethiopian calendar came from Egypt and methods and dates agree with the calendar of the Coptic Church. The year of the Ethiopian calendar contains 365 days which is added every fourth year an extra day. Each year in this 4 years period is dedicated to one of the four evangelists who come in the following orders. Mathew (Mathiwos), Mark (Marqos), Luke (Luqas), and John (Yohannes) the year of Luke is the Ethiopian leap year and is the year proceeds the western leap year.

Each year is divided into 12 months of 30 days. The extra 5 days are placed at the end of the year and known as Paguemen. In the leap year extra days is added to these five days making the Paguemen of this year a period of 6 days.

Months of Ethiopia

1. Meskerem (Sep 11-Oct 10 and every leap year Sep 12 –Oct 11)
2. Tikimt (Oct 11- Nov 09)
3. Hidar (Nov 10 – Dec 09)
4. Tahisas (Dec 10- Jan 08)
5. Tir (Jan 09- Feb 07)
6. Yekatit (Feb 08- Mar 09)
7. Megabit (Mar 10- Apr 08)
8. Miyazia (Apr 09- May 08)
9. Ginbot (May 09- June 07)
10. Sene (June 08- July 07)
11. Hamile (July 08- Aug 06)
12. Nehassie (Aug 07- Sep 06)
13. Pagumene (Aug 07- Sep 10 and Aug 07- Sep 11 every leap year)

Days of the Week

1. Ehud or Senbet –Sunday
2. Segno – Monday
3. Makisegno – Tuesday
4. Erebu- Wednesday
5. Hamus- Thursday
6. Arb- Firday
7. Kidame- Kedamit Senbet- Saturday

Ethiopians follows the Era of incarnation, that it is dates from birth of Jesus Christ. There is a difference of 7 or 8 years between the western and Ethiopian system, that is because the Ethiopian Church holds that Jesus was born 5,500 years after the creation of the world this gives 7 or 8 years difference between the Gregorian and Ethiopian calendar.

Festivals,

Enkutatash, Addis Amet, Kidus Yohannis (Ethiopian New Year)

As legend narrates Ethiopian Queen Sheba or Makeda traveled to visit Jerusalem to meet King Solomon, the queen is drawn to Jerusalem because of Solomon’s fame for being wise. Queen Sheba has had a horn on her toes nails, the guards has seen the big horn and informed the king saying “there is a beautiful lady with horn at the gate to meet you” he then let her to go inside by the time the horn has been eliminated from her toe, the king was attracted by her beauty and couldn’t be able to see the so called horn on her feet, she confessed the miracle that happened to her while she was entering to the main gate the tree which is believed descended from heaven touched her and eliminated the horn from her toes. Solomon prepared a trap for Makeda to be able to sleep with him as she was not willing to fulfill his wishes, He made a rule which will impede her to touch any of his belongings in the palace if she trespass the rules the penalty will be fulfilling his wishes and that is sleeping with him. however, the meal was salty and made her thirsty she craved for water in order to drink water she has to take the penalty and slept with him (that is when she conceived King Menilik the 1^st).

As Kind Solomon was smitten with her beauty he rewarded her with beautiful jewels, that’s where the name Enkutatash drive from for the New Year holiday the word was Enku letatish (Jewels for you)

Ethiopians have own calendar which is 7 years behind the rest of the world which they celebrate their new year every year on Sep 11 (Sep 12 every leap year). The yellow beautiful flower called Adey Abeba” will blossoms on the day of the New Year which is a sign of the 3 month rainy season come to an end.

The new year commence with the little girls song which is called Abebayehosh, they will be holding the Adey Abeba, singing and jumping to every neighborhood doors will keep signing until someone will open the door and reward them with traditional bread (Difo Dabo) or money to express gratitude for bringing the good news and the little girls will praise the landlord and exalt with consecration

Meskel (the finding of true cross)

The most important religious holiday on the Ethiopian Orthodox Church’s which falls on 27^th of September. Thousands celebrates the eve of the festival, known as Demera on the 26^th of September (based on the belief that  Queen Elena or Nigist Eleni, who was Emperor of Rome at the time had a revelation in a dream. She was told that she should make a bonfire and that the smoke would show her where the True Cross was buried. So she ordered the people of Jerusalem to bring wood and make a huge pile. After adding frankincense to it the bonfire was lit and the smoke rose high up to the sky and returned to the ground, exactly to the spot where the Cross had been buried) by gathering in Meskel Square (which was named after the holiday meaning Cross) in the heart of the capital city, Addis Ababa.

Hundreds of priests and deacons from churches around the city, who bring drums and decorative crosses used in religious ceremonies, will celebrate together with the gathered people.

The bundle branches will be gathered “Demera” to set ablaze by the Patriarch of the church and with fellow pops, priests, believers, religious and political leaders. The people lob flaming torches called “ Tuaaf” (made with the bees wax) which they are carrying at the “Demera”, The “Demera” burns until it turns entirely into ashes and the people will be waiting to see the collapses of the bundle as it the direction indicates either the year will be good or bad for the people to prepare themselves to be steady with prayers.

One of the religious and national holidays ranked in the UNESCO world heritage as intangible heritage.

Gena (Ethiopian Christmas)

Unlike other countries Ethiopia follows the Julian calendar, Genna or Ethiopian Christmas falls on 7^th of January, it was so rare to find Christmas trees or the twinkling lights since it is not there culture or tradition to follow, However it is common to see big decorated Christmas trees almost every malls in the city since Addis Ababa is the diplomat city and headquarter of African Union..

Most people will spend the night of the eve by singing and praising the Lord in the church till 3 am.

The name Genna is one of the traditional game closely linked to the Christmas season. Mainly in the rural areas of the country youngster and men pick up curved, wooden sticks and play with a wooden ball on two goals. This traditional game is now very sporadic to find even at the rural areas.

Lalibela celebrates Gena in a very remarkable and unique way as it is also the birth of king Lalibela (the founder and constructor of the rock hewen churches of Lalibela which is ranked on the UNESCO world heritages site.

Timqet (Epiphany)

Timqet celebrates Jesus baptism in the Jordan river. It is celebrated on 19 January (or 20 in every leap year)

Timqet Celebration start on the 18^th of January which is the Eve of the holiday called Ketera, all the tabtots will leave the church and head to a temporary place where the clergies and the people with the Tabot will overnight.

The Tabots, a model (replica) of the Ark of the covenant , is reverently wrapped in rich cloth and borne in procession on the head of the priest The Tabot, represents the manifestation of Jesus as the Mesiah  when he came to the Jordan for baptism. The celebration takes place at stream or pool early in the morning. Then the nearby body of water is blessed towards dawn and sprinkled on the participants, some of whom enter the water and immerse themselves (mainly in Gondar since there is a pool which is constructed in the 16^th Century still used by congregant, symbolically renewing their baptism vows.

By noon on Timqet Day a large crowd will assemble at the ritual site where they will follow the Tabot by singing the hymns. When the Holy Ark has been safely restored to its dwelling-place, everyone goes home for feasting.

Timqet has been inscribed in UNESCO inscribed as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2019.

Adwa (The battle of Adwa)

The Battle of Adwa in 1896 is the victory of the black people. In 1889 Italy signed a treaty with Emperor Menilik 2^nd (The treaty of Wichale) but a major disagreement arose, exacerbated by differences between the Italian and Amharic versions of the text. The treaty was mistranslated as the Italian treaty indicates Ethiopia would be a protectorate of Italy however Emperor Menilik had not have such copy of a treaty.

Menilik calls up a mass mobilization for this battle, In December 1895 and January 1896, the Ethiopian army annihilated Italian army at Amba Alagen in response to this defeat thousands of Italian troops were ferried to Eritrea, the combat broke out on March 1, 1896 which Italian troops and the well mechanized army of Italy has retreated and defeated.

Menilek’s victory over the Italians gave him significant credibility with the European powers,

Every year in March, Ethiopians celebrate their victory at the Battle of Adwa. The hero of that battle, Menelik II, remains a venerated figures in Ethiopian society, and indeed worldwide.

Arbegnoch Qen (Patriots victory day)

It is a public holiday in Ethiopia which lies on the 5^th of May. Ethiopian praise there patriots every year in this day, the second Italo-Ethiopian war led the country for military occupation and overtake the capital city which they ruled 5 restless years. The Ethiopian patriots were unbearable for Italian militants; on 5^th of May His Majesty HaileSilasse has returned to Ethiopia after being away for 5 consecutive years.

The main ceremony takes place in the capital of Addis Ababa; it is attended by government officials, military leaders and diplomats as well as representatives of patriot associations and city residents.

Great Ethiopian Run

The Great Ethiopian Run is an annual 10-kilometre road running event which takes place in late November in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.