Ethiopian New Year

Ethiopian New Year begins on Meskerem 1 in the country’s civil calendar, which has twelve 30-day months followed by Pagumen of five days or six in a leap year. This places Enkutatash on September 11 in most Gregorian years and September 12 in the year before a Gregorian leap year. September 11, 2026 opens Ethiopian year 2019; the calendar’s seven-to-eight-year difference from the Gregorian count reflects a distinct Christian-era computation, not a claim that Ethiopia is literally behind in time.

Enkutatash arrives near the end of the main rains in much of the highlands, when yellow adey abeba flowers are visible. Children’s flower-giving and New Year songs, family visits and exchanged wishes are well-established practices, but climate, language and regional calendars make the season different across the country. The popular association with the Queen of Sheba’s return is a cultural legend rather than securely dated history.

Ethiopian New Year is a celebrated national public holiday under Article 4 of Proclamation No. 1334/2024. Governmental and non-governmental institutions close and salaried employees’ pay may not be reduced, while utilities, health care, security, public transport, fuel services, museums and parks must remain available and other listed businesses may open. Labour Proclamation No. 1156/2019 gives covered workers twice the hourly wage for holiday work and only one holiday payment when a holiday coincides with another holiday or a legal rest day; neither law creates an automatic substitute Monday.