New Year's Day in Ethiopia
Ethiopia’s New Year, Enkutatash, begins the year in the Ethiopian calendar and is observed nationwide. The holiday is a celebrated national public holiday; its customs include songs, flowers, greetings and family visits.[1][3]
Date and legal status
The Ethiopian New Year falls on Meskerem 1 in the Ethiopian calendar. It usually corresponds to September 11 in the Gregorian calendar and falls on September 12 in leap years.[3] Ethiopia’s Proclamation No. 1334/2024 lists New Year (Enkutatash) as a celebrated national holiday and says it is celebrated nationwide.[1]
The proclamation says government and nongovernment institutions close for public service on celebrated national holidays, except where workers must be available under another law. It also requires essential services, including public transport, to operate; shops, restaurants and some other businesses may open. The proclamation does not specify a substitute day when the holiday coincides with a weekly rest day.[1]
Meaning and traditions
The name Enkutatash means “gift of jewels.” An account preserved by Ethiopia’s embassy in Japan connects the name to the Ethiopian tradition that the Queen of Sheba’s chiefs welcomed her home from visiting King Solomon with jewels. The same account describes the New Year as a season of renewal as the rains end.[2]
Enkutatash is not exclusively a religious holiday. A reported custom is for girls wearing new clothes to gather daisies, give bouquets to friends and sing New Year songs. Greetings and cards are also exchanged, particularly in urban settings. The embassy’s account describes children visiting villages with garlands and small paintings, followed by evening bonfires, singing and dancing.[2][3] Traditions can vary among communities, so these examples do not describe every household’s celebration.
What to expect
The law sets out a formal national observance: a state message may be delivered on the eve, the federal government is to fire a cannon at 6 a.m., and the Ministry of Culture and Sport coordinates the celebration.[1]
Public offices are closed for service under the proclamation. Public transport and essential services are required to continue, while commercial shops and restaurants are among the businesses that may operate. The law does not establish a uniform opening schedule for banks or private businesses, so travelers should check directly with the service they plan to use.[1]
Frequently asked questions
When is Ethiopian New Year?
Enkutatash begins on Meskerem 1. It generally falls on September 11 in the Gregorian calendar and on September 12 in leap years.[3]
Is Enkutatash a public day off?
Yes. It is a celebrated national holiday, and the law closes government and nongovernment institutions for public service, subject to legally required staffing.[1]
Will public transport run?
The law lists public transport among services that must be rendered on celebrated national holidays. It does not give route-specific schedules, so check with the operator for local service details.[1]
Are shops and restaurants open?
They may open under the law, but it does not guarantee that any particular shop or restaurant will operate. Check directly with the business.[1]
Sources and references
Sources used for New Year's Day in Ethiopia:
- Proclamation to Determine Public Holidays and Celebration of Public Holidays - Proclamation No. 1334/2024- Ethiopian Federal Laws
- Culture- Embassy of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Tokyo
- Ethiopians Celebrate Enkutatash (New Year)- Ethiopian News Agency