You heard us right. Ethiopia follows its own calendar that marks the birth of Jesus as seven years later than the American (Gregorian) calendar - that means today, September 10th, marks the first day of 2012 for Ethiopians. Enkutatash is a day of celebration and renewal, most often spent with family cooking a large meal of injera (flat bread) and wat (stew), drinking coffee, and performing cultural dances.  Enkutatash also marks the end of the rainy season in Ethiopia, where nearly 80% of the population earns their livelihood from agriculture. 

Our US Operations Coordinator, Selam - who is Ethiopian - reflects on the holiday: 

At the Parker Clay factory, all of our employees receive this entire week as paid time off. Our team in Ethiopia works incredibly hard each day to handcraft the pieces that you purchase, and we are thankful to celebrate with them as they celebrate their New Year! We invite you to join the celebration as we work to push the fashion industry in a positive direction, where employees are not just allowed, but are encouraged to take time off to be with friends and family. 

Hit play below to learn more about our impact in Ethiopia.