While much of the world is in 2025, Ethiopia is joyfully celebrating the start of its own year 2018. This unique calendar, seven years behind the Gregorian calendar, stems from an ancient calculation of the birth of Christ that differs from the way the rest of the world calculates it. The holiday, known as Enkutatash, fills Addis Ababa with yellow adey ababa flowers, fresh grass for coffee ceremonies, and bustling markets as families prepare festive meals ranging from spicy ‘doro wat’ stew to lavish roasted ox. Celebrations carry into the night with live music, while the traditional New Year’s Day song Abebayehosh echoes through neighborhoods the following morning. For many, this year’s festivities carry added pride, coinciding with the formal launch of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam. Blending ancient tradition with modern milestones, Ethiopia’s New Year captures a spirit of unity, renewal, and cultural pride unlike anywhere else.
BBC
