Enkutatash
Enkutatash እንቁጣጣሽ | |
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Also called | Gift of Jewel |
Observed by | |
Type | National |
Significance | First day of the Ethiopian year |
Celebrations |
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Date |
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2024 date | 11 September |
Frequency | Annual |
Related to | New Year's Day |
Enkutatash (
Origin
According to Ethiopian tradition, on 11 September Queen of Sheba (Makeda in Ethiopian) returned to Ethiopia from her visit to King Solomon in Jerusalem. Her followers celebrated her return by giving her jewels. Hence ‘‘Enkutatash’’ means the ‘‘gift of jewels’’.[1]
Observance
This holiday is based on the Ethiopian calendar. It is the Ethiopian New Year.
Large celebrations are held around the country, notably at the Raguel Church on Mount Entoto.[2]
According to InCultureParent, "after attending church in the morning, families gather to share a traditional meal of injera (flat bread) and wat (sauce). Later in the day, young girls donning new clothes, gather daisies and present friends with a bouquet, singing New Year's songs."[3] According to the Ethiopian Tourism Commission, "Enkutatash is not exclusively a religious holiday. Modern Enkutatash is also the season for exchanging formal new year greetings and cards among the urban sophisticated – in lieu of the traditional bouquet of flowers."[4]
The Ethiopian counting of years begins in the year 8 of the
See also
References
- ISBN 9781443867917.
- ^ "Time and dates in Ithiopia [sic]". Rasta Ites. Archived from the original on 1 January 2014. Retrieved 29 October 2013.
- ^ "Enkutatash (Ethiopian New Year): September 11". InCultureParent. 7 September 2012. Retrieved 29 October 2013.
- ^ Ethiopian Tourism Commission (16 November 2002). "Ethiopian Festivals". Archived from the original on 17 May 2013. Retrieved 29 October 2013.