The Ethiopian Calendar: 13 Months and a 7 to 8 Year Gap

The Ethiopian calendar has 13 months: twelve months of 30 days, plus a very short thirteenth month, Pagume, of 5 or 6 days. It runs 7 to 8 years behind the Gregorian calendar, and its New Year, Enkutatash, falls on 11 September (12 September in the year before a Gregorian leap year). In Gregorian 2026, it is therefore 2018 or 2019 in Ethiopia, depending on the time of year.

How the calendar works

The Ethiopian calendar is built on a structure close to the old Coptic calendar. Its features:

• 12 months of 30 days, making 360 days.
• A thirteenth month, Pagume, of 5 days, or 6 in leap years, which completes the year.
• A leap year every four years, keeping the calendar in step with the solar cycle.
• A first month, Meskerem, starting at New Year.

The calendar is used in civil life in Ethiopia, as well as for Orthodox religious holidays.

Why 7 to 8 years behind?

The gap comes from a historical difference in calculating the date of the Annunciation, and so the starting point of the Christian era. The lag is 8 years from 1 January to 10 or 11 September on the Gregorian calendar, then 7 years from Ethiopian New Year to 31 December. For an appointment, always state which calendar you mean. In Gregorian 2007, Ethiopia celebrated its millennium, corresponding to the year 2000 in its own count.

Enkutatash, the New Year

Enkutatash falls on 11 September, at the end of the rainy season. The word is often linked with the idea of a gift of jewels. It is a moment of family celebration, good wishes and shared meals. Seasonal flowers, especially yellow ones, are traditionally associated with it. We do not detail other regional customs here, which vary.

A different way of counting the hours

The difference is not only about years. In Ethiopia, hours are often counted from sunrise: 1 o'clock corresponds to 7am on the international clock. So always check which "time" is meant when setting up a meeting with an Ethiopian.

The major holidays follow this calendar

Orthodox religious holidays are set by this calendar: Meskel on 27 September, Genna on 7 January, Timkat on 19 January. We present them in our articles on Meskel and on Genna and Timkat.

And at ge'eza?

ge'eza, an Ethiopian restaurant, gallery and events venue at 656 avenue Birago Diop in Point E, is open Tuesday to Sunday, 8am to 10pm, on the Gregorian calendar. To mark an Ethiopian holiday, you can book a table or a coffee ceremony. Information on +221 78 660 07 07.