Another successful family day in the books! The PC Ethiopian team and our families gathered over the weekend and enjoyed a spirited game of soccer, new year resolution training, and of course, a delicious spread of our favorite foods.
Most people don’t know that Ethiopia still follows the Orthodox Julian Calendar, currently seven years and eight months behind the commonly used Gregorian Calendar. The first day of the New Year in Ethiopia is called Enkutatash, and falls on September 11th of each year. This day marks the end of the rainy season and symbolizes the advent of good harvest weather.
The origins of the Enkutatash tradition date back to biblical times, when Queen of Sheba Makeda (hello, Makeda Crossbody) came back from her visit to the fabled King Solomon and the elders gifted her jewels known as "enku." Enkutatash now translates to "Gift of Jewels," and has been honored henceforth in the springtime.
Celebrations are held all over the country, most notably at a famous church called Saint Raguel on the top of Mount Entoto, the highest peak overlooking the capital city of Addis Ababa. Sound familiar? That’s because our Entoto Zip Tote is named after it!
Most locals gather together with their families on Enkutatash to share a traditional meal of injera (Ethiopian flat bread), doro wot (chicken stew), and popcorn. And of course, no Ethiopian celebration would be complete without a coffee ceremony!
From the Parker Clay family to yours, Melkem Addis Amet, or Happy New Year!