Ethiopian Months
13 Month Ethiopian Calendar
In Ethiopia, each new year begins on Meskerem, a month that marks not just a new beginning but the start of a journey through months that weave tradition, culture, and time differently. Rooted in the ancient Ge’ez calendar, the Ethiopian calendar stands seven to eight years behind the Gregorian calendar, offering a unique glimpse into a different era and perspective on time.
The Ethiopian calendar months are uniquely defined, each shaped by distinct traditions and stories that resonate deeply with the Ethiopian people. Meskerem, Tekemet, Hidar, Tahsas, Tir, Yekatit, Megabit, Miazia, Ginbot, Sene, Hamle, Nehase, and Pagumē together paint a picture of a culture that embraces the seasons with a unique cadence.
Ethiopian Calendar Months
Meskerem (September-October)
Meskerem is a time for renewal and optimism, signaling the start of the Ethiopian New Year, also known as Enkutatash. With Ethiopia’s green landscapes revitalized by the recent rainy season, this month represents new beginnings and a fresh start. Often compared to spring, Meskerem is marked by hopeful energy as the nation enters a new year filled with opportunities and aspirations. Many Ethiopians exchange bouquets of fresh yellow flowers, symbolizing joy and the abundance of life. Schools reopen, and families come together to celebrate and look forward to the months ahead.
Tekemet (October-November)
Tekemet is the month when the air becomes cooler, and preparations for the harvest season begin. It is a time of gratitude, as communities gather to give thanks for the blessings of the land. During this month, the fields are vibrant, promising a bountiful harvest, and the Ethiopian countryside comes alive with people working together in anticipation of reaping the fruits of their labor. Tekemet carries a reflective tone as families gather to express appreciation for the land’s abundance, often marked with smaller community gatherings and the preparation of traditional meals shared by neighbors.
Hidar (November-December)
Hidar is a month filled with reverence and devotion, celebrated with significant religious observances, such as the Feast of Saint Michael (Mikael) on November 21. This period has a contemplative energy, and Ethiopians attend church services and hold gatherings in honor of saints and other religious figures. Family and community events become a focal point, creating a warm atmosphere as people come together in gratitude. Hidar symbolizes unity and faith, reinforcing the bonds that hold Ethiopian families and communities together.
Tahsas (December-January)
Tahsas is steeped in the spirit of the holidays, with families and friends eagerly preparing for Genna, or Ethiopian Christmas, celebrated on January 7. The month is filled with anticipation and joy, as homes are decorated, traditional foods are prepared, and communities join in festivities. Tahsas is a time for kindness and generosity, with loved ones coming together to honor the birth of Jesus Christ. This joyful season is marked by the aroma of roasted coffee, the sound of drums, and the sight of children dressed in traditional attire, creating a warm and festive ambiance.
Tir (January-February)
Tir is a month of vibrant celebrations, highlighted by Timkat, the Ethiopian Epiphany, celebrated on January 19. Timkat is one of the most colorful and significant festivals in Ethiopia, commemorating the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River. During this time, people participate in processions, prayers, and lively festivities. The rivers are blessed, and young people often take ceremonial dips as a renewal of faith. Tir is a month that celebrates Ethiopia’s deep religious and cultural heritage, marked by joyful gatherings and music that fill the air.
Yekatit (February-March)
Yekatit is a month of remembrance and resilience, as Ethiopians honor those who sacrificed for the country, particularly in connection to the Italo-Ethiopian War. The month is marked by somber ceremonies and moments of reflection, yet it also symbolizes courage and hope. Yekatit serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made for freedom and the enduring spirit of the Ethiopian people. It is a time when communities come together to look back with respect and forward with optimism, reinforcing a shared commitment to peace and progress.
Megabit (March-April)
Megabit ushers in a seasonal change from cooler to warmer weather, and the country witnesses commemorative ceremonies of great national significance, such as Adwa Victory Day on March 2, celebrating Ethiopia’s historic victory over Italian forces in 1896. This month represents strength and unity as Ethiopians remember the bravery of their ancestors. Megabit is marked by national pride, with parades, speeches, and gatherings that honor the resilience of the Ethiopian spirit. Communities come together in celebration, strengthening bonds and reaffirming unity.
Miazia (April-May)
Miazia is filled with warmth, joy, and the blossoming beauty of Ethiopia’s natural landscape. This month brings clear skies and vibrant blooms, creating an atmosphere of celebration and connection. Families and friends gather under the sun, and communities host events, share meals, and celebrate life. Miazia is marked by a renewed energy, with the arrival of spring-like warmth that encourages growth, reflection, and harmony. The natural beauty of Ethiopia in Miazia symbolizes hope, renewal, and a deep appreciation for life’s simple pleasures.
Ginbot (May-June)
Ginbot is a month that represents growth, strength, and the promise of abundance. It’s a time of progress and transformation, as Ethiopia’s landscapes flourish with crops and greenery. The month holds symbolic meaning for resilience and community, as Ethiopians work together and prepare for the season of growth ahead. Ginbot’s significance is rooted in its association with forward momentum, as families and communities nurture the fruits of their labor and celebrate the promise of good days to come.
Sene (June-July)
Sene marks the beginning of the dry season as the rains start to wane. It is a reflective month that allows communities to prepare for the months ahead, embracing the last touches of the rainy season. Sene holds a contemplative tone, where people take stock of their resources and prepare for the drier months to come. It’s a month of quiet endurance, with the fading rain symbolizing both a farewell to abundance and a reminder of resilience as Ethiopia looks toward sustaining itself through the dryer season.
Hamle (July-August)
Hamle stands at the peak of the dry season, bringing long, sunlit days and a time of endurance and adaptability. While the season is challenging, it is also a time to celebrate the strength and resilience of Ethiopian culture. Hamle is often marked by community events and gatherings, where people come together in mutual support. The energy of Hamle is one of perseverance, with traditions and festivities that reinforce the strength found in unity, as Ethiopians draw inspiration from their rich heritage to face each season.
Nehase (August-September)
Nehase is the closing month of the Ethiopian year, a time to complete projects, reflect on achievements, and prepare for the new cycle. This month has a sense of finality and anticipation, as people look forward to the coming New Year celebrations in Meskerem. Nehase is a time to tie up loose ends and make plans, fostering a hopeful outlook for the year ahead. Communities engage in cleaning, organizing, and preparing for Enkutatash, setting the stage for a renewed journey through the months to come.
Pagumē (September)
Pagumē is a unique and brief month with only five or six days, serving as a “leap month” that balances the Ethiopian calendar. Pagumē carries a mystical quality, symbolizing a moment of pause and reflection before the cycle begins anew. It is a time of introspection, allowing Ethiopians to prepare mentally and spiritually for the upcoming New Year in Meskerem. This short month offers a quiet interlude, inviting reflection on the past year and a thoughtful welcome to the future.
Ethiopian Months in Cultural Rhythm
Ethiopian calendar months are more than just markers of time. They tell a story of a country that moves to its own rhythm, deeply rooted in tradition and the natural flow of the seasons. This unique calendar, a source of pride for Ethiopia, reflects the country’s rich heritage and its distinct place in the world.
In Ethiopia, time is not just measured but celebrated. Each Ethiopian month offers a meaningful reflection on life, unity, and continuity, with each month adding depth to a culture that cherishes the present while honoring the past. The Ethiopia calendar 13 months invites us all to see time through a different lens—one that is beautifully, uniquely Ethiopian.