Are you a traveler planning to visit Ethiopia? Or maybe you’re just curious about the Ethiopian calendar and want to know what the date is today? Well, you’ve come to the right place!
The Ethiopian Calendar
The Ethiopian calendar, also known as the Ge’ez calendar, is a lunar-solar calendar used in Ethiopia. It has 13 months, with 12 months having 30 days each and the last month, called Pagume, having 5 or 6 days depending on whether it’s a leap year or not.
The Ethiopian calendar is 7 years and 8 months behind the Gregorian calendar, which is used in most parts of the world. For example, while the year 2023 is just starting in the Gregorian calendar, it is already 2015 in the Ethiopian calendar.
What Is the Ethiopian Date Today?
As of writing this article in 2023, the Ethiopian date today is Meskerem 23, 2015. Meskerem is the first month of the Ethiopian calendar and corresponds to September in the Gregorian calendar.
Question and Answer
Q: Why Is the Ethiopian Calendar Different?
A: The Ethiopian calendar has its roots in the ancient Egyptian calendar, which was also a lunar-solar calendar. It has been used in Ethiopia for over 2,000 years and is an important part of the country’s culture and traditions.
Q: How Do Ethiopians Celebrate New Year?
A: Ethiopians celebrate New Year, which falls on September 11 in the Gregorian calendar, with a 3-day festival called Enkutatash. It is a time for families to come together, exchange gifts, and enjoy traditional food and drink.
Q: What Are Some Other Important Dates in the Ethiopian Calendar?
A: Some other important dates in the Ethiopian calendar include Timkat, which celebrates the baptism of Jesus and falls on January 19 in the Gregorian calendar, and Meskel, which celebrates the finding of the True Cross and falls on September 27 in the Gregorian calendar.
Conclusion
Now that you know what the Ethiopian date is today and a little bit about the Ethiopian calendar, you can better appreciate the rich cultural heritage of Ethiopia. Whether you’re a traveler or just someone interested in different cultures, the Ethiopian calendar is definitely worth learning more about.