Enkutatash 2016: A Journey through Time and Tradition — Celebrating the Ethiopian New Year🥂
From 2015 to 2016: Reflecting on Our Journey and the Unique Festivities of Ethiopia
As the clock struck midnight, with the sound of the cannon, 2015 gave way to 2016, and Ethiopia opened up in joyous celebration, Ethiopian New Year, known as “Enkutatash”, is a time-honored tradition that even nature awaits to attend to and that holds a special place in the hearts of Ethiopians. Let me take you on a little ride to our amazing countries adventures and most exciting festivities that occur at New Year that I think would make you interested to experience it.
Journey of 2015
It is nearly impossible not to reminisce about the journeys we took in 2015 as we lead up to 2016. From the streets of Addis Ababa to the serene beauty of Ethiopia’s unknown, unseen countryside, Our journey was filled with unforgettable moments, at the very least I can say mine was. Whether It was starting a new school year, connecting to people, trying out new skills, giving warm welcome on the road of self-development, Exploring historic landmarks or giving back to nature, every experience was a treasure.
Ethiopian New Year’s Unique Traditions
Now, Let me amaze you with our unique festivities and traditions, passed down from our ancestors. Ethiopian New Year is a celebration that takes you on a cultural voyage like no other.
Time and Date of New Year 📆
It is not on January 1st as the rest of the world, instead it fluctuates between September 11 and 12 and is 7 years behind other calendar. The reason behind this fluctuation, Our Calendar has a normal 12 month schedule each consisting of 30 days but with five or six extra days added to the end of the year we have 13 months, where the last month also known as “Pagume”, had five days and six days in a leap year 😮.
Feto 🌿
On the first day of the new year, we start our day with a shower as a thought of leaving our past mistakes washed away and greeting the new year clean. Then, we also have a tradition of taking herbs, specifically, An Ethiopian Herb, “Feto” with the same thought in mind.
Adey Abeba 🌻
This is more of a cycle of life, As a new year, This country is gifted with a specific type of flowering plant species that blooms at this day, as a sign that symbolizes the end of the rainy season and the start of summer and that new year has presented itself, we call this flowering plant, “Adey Abeba”. Adey Abeba can only been seen with in a 2 month time span from the beginning of the new year and will be waiting the next 10 month to shine again.
Abebayehosh 🎶
Our Traditional new year song, “Abebayehosh”, a group of young girls sings this traditional new year song from year to year by holding Adey Abeba and giving them to their parents and loved ones as a symbol of luck and blessing for the new year.
Slaughtering of the cattle 🐄
Slaughtering of the cattle, either sheep, goat, cow or chicken. Based on each households financial conditions, this event symbolizes as a thanksgiving to got for the blessing of the past year, and a way to seek divine favor for the year ahead and it ensures the well being of their household. It is also considered as a form of atonement as a believe that it purifies the community and individual from sins or wrongdoing.
Food Style 🍛
Our Foods. From new years “Dulet” and “Doro Wat” are the most popular food that is made on new years. the special spicy Ethiopian Chicken with the soft chicken meat and a very delicious taste that melts your mind, Mmm, even my mouth is getting watery describing it as it is.
Fun Part 💃🕺
The Fun Part, Buring “Chibo”, Singing, Dancing and Spreading fresh scented grass, This is where the fun excels the most. At new years eve, tips of long bundles of tied up twigs and sticks are placed into a fire, all starting in the corridor of the house and then taken outside to the front yard on a small fireplace where family and friends are surrounded and we dance in a circle around the fire and sing happy songs and we wish each other well for the new year and as the fire begins to die a little, every one jumps through it three times to mark as leaving the old year behind and passing to the new year by jumping through it. And at the morning we spread fresh scented grass all over the house and our home to symbolize welcoming vibe.
Prayers 🙏
To the best part, Cutting Bread and Praying, After we had lunch on new years. The man of the house or as we call it “Abawera” will be giving prayer to god and will be cutting a big round bread and every one will be getting a piece.
The Meskel Bonfire ✝
And you thought that was just it, Let me tell you a little story about the Meskel Bonfire. This is an age old ritual that involves lighting a massive stack of bonfire to commemorate the discovery of the True Cross by Empress Helena. Gathered around the flickering flames, we connect with generations past and we celebrate our shared history.
On this day, Their is one famous and popular and the most fitting food to eat, “KITFO”. Kitfo is an Ethiopian Traditional dish originated among the Gurage People. It consists of minced raw beef filled with “Mitmita” or a chill powder and niter kibbeh or as you all know it as button and we will also include homemade fresh cheese called “Ayib” and “Gomen” all together to make this famous Ethiopian Cuisine.
The Heartfelt Moments 💖
Laughter, Talks, Sharing stories and talking to relatives that we haven’t been in contact with for a long time. Among Enkutatash gifts, this is the most memorable and special present, as we will be telling eachother of our journeys, times, and every treasuring moments we experienced to one another and connect and make up for the times we had lost that makes our bond more great that it was.
Looking Ahead To New Beginnings 🆕
As we bid farewell to 2015 and welcome 2016 with a warm and new spirit, we open ourselves to new hope, faith and we give ourselves the opportunity to reflect on the past and set new intentions for the future. Enkutatash is also a reminder that life is a journey and each year is like chapters within a book waiting to be written and each with a different story.
As the festive speaks of Enkutatash, 2016 is all over the air and we still hold on to this traditions as it defines who we are, what Ethiopian culture means, the beauty of our existence, the celebration of life, love and the unbreakable bonds that connects us, flowing inside our veins and the very veins of the Ethiopia soils is the same bond that each of us has.
As we celebrate another Ethiopian New Year, may we continue to treasure the memories of our past adventures not forgetting our history and embracing the promise of making new ones, opening new stories, new doors and new possibilities. Enkutatash serves as a beautiful remindet that no matter where life takes us, our hears will forever be intertwined with the very blood and bones of this country, our homes, our safe place, our destiny, our birth, our death bed and out life, Ethiopia.
Melkam Addis Amet! 🇪🇹🌼🥂
