Ethiopian Calendar
The ancient calendar of Ethiopia — 13 months of sunshine, rooted in the Coptic tradition, 7-8 years behind the Gregorian calendar
The Ethiopian calendar is based on the Coptic calendar, with 12 months of 30 days each and a 13th month called Pagumen with 5 or 6 days (in a leap year). The Ethiopian year is currently 7-8 years behind the Gregorian calendar due to different calculations of the date of the Annunciation.
Ethiopia is famous for being "a land of 13 months of sunshine" — a reference to the unique calendar and the country's abundant sunny weather.
| Month | Ge'ez Name | Latin | Gregorian Dates | Days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | መስከረም | Meskerem | Sep 11 – Oct 10 | 30 |
| 2 | ጥቅምት | Tikimt | Oct 11 – Nov 9 | 30 |
| 3 | ኅዳር | Hidar | Nov 10 – Dec 9 | 30 |
| 4 | ታኅሣሥ | Tahsas | Dec 10 – Jan 8 | 30 |
| 5 | ጥር | Tir | Jan 9 – Feb 7 | 30 |
| 6 | የካቲት | Yekatit | Feb 8 – Mar 9 | 30 |
| 7 | መጋቢት | Megabit | Mar 10 – Apr 8 | 30 |
| 8 | ሚያዝያ | Miyazia | Apr 9 – May 8 | 30 |
| 9 | ግንቦት | Ginbot | May 9 – Jun 7 | 30 |
| 10 | ሰኔ | Sene | Jun 8 – Jul 7 | 30 |
| 11 | ሐምሌ | Hamle | Jul 8 – Aug 6 | 30 |
| 12 | ነሐሴ | Nehase | Aug 7 – Sep 5 | 30 |
| 13 | ጳጉሜን | Pagumen | Sep 6 – Sep 10 (or 11) | 5 or 6 |
Pagumen — The Forgotten Days
The 13th month, Pagumen, consists of 5 days in a regular year and 6 days in a leap year. These are often called "the forgotten days" or "the lost days" — a brief transitional period before the New Year festival of Enkutatash.
Pagumen is a time of reflection and preparation. Some Ethiopians use these days for extra prayer, fasting, and acts of charity before entering the new year.
Leap Year Cycle — The Four Evangelists
The Ethiopian calendar follows a 4-year leap year cycle, with each year named after one of the four Evangelists:
Year 1: ማቴዎስ (Matthew) — John
Year 2: ማርቆስ (Mark) — Matthew
Year 3: ሉቃስ (Luke) — Mark
Year 4: ዮሐንስ (John) — Luke (Leap Year)
In the year of John, Pagumen has 6 days instead of 5.
Enkutatash — Ethiopian New Year
The Ethiopian New Year, Enkutatash, falls on September 11 (or September 12 in leap years on the Gregorian calendar). The name means "gift of jewels," commemorating the Queen of Sheba's return from visiting King Solomon.
It is celebrated with feasting, singing, dancing, and the exchange of bouquets of flowers (especially the bright yellow Adey Abeba daisies). Children go door-to-door singing songs and receiving small gifts.
Enkutatash also marks the end of the rainy season and the beginning of spring in Ethiopia.
Days of the Week
የሳምንት ቀናት