Ethiopian New Year

The clergy and Debtera lift their voices in hymn and chant just as it has been for over a 1,500 years when Ethiopia accepted Christianity.  This ancient rite culminates in the spectacular procession of the Tabot and carried on top of a priest’s head. The procession makes its way three times around the church amidst ululation and chiming church bells, dazzling umbrellas and colorful attire of the clergy and Debteras as well as a throng of Christians who follow the procession with lighted candles. 

 

Enkutatash is an Ethiopian New Year which means “gift of jewels” in the Amharic language it occurs on September 11 or (during a leap year 12 September) The story goes back almost 3,000 years to the Queen of Sheba who was returning from a trip to visit King Solomon in Jerusalem, as mentioned in the Bible in I Kings 10 and II Chronicles 9. When the Queen returned to Ethiopia her chiefs welcomed her with enku or jewels to replenish her treasury.

Enkutatash is a celebration of both religious and secular with the day beginning with church services followed families gather to share a traditional meal of injera (flat bread) and wat (stew) Later in the day, young girls donning new clothes, gather daisies and present friends with a bouquet, singing New Year’s songs.” 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.” Young children will receive small gifts of money or bread after the girls gather flowers and sing and boys paint pictures of saints. Families visit friends and elders for best wishes of the year.

Festival Photo Gallery

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[lvca_testimonials_slider slideshow_speed=”4000″ animation_speed=”600″ direction_nav=”true” control_nav=”true”][lvca_testimonial_slide author=”Ken and Marg from Canada” credentials=”The trek was fab!” author_image=”1116″] “…Footprint is doing a great job! I will highly recommend you to everyone I know traveling to Ethiopia An incredible way to truly experience the local culture and villages that have not been spoilt by tourism. And, to do it with a tour company that respects the local people, their culture and environment…”[/lvca_testimonial_slide][lvca_testimonial_slide author=”Ken and Marg from Canada” credentials=”The trek was fab!” author_image=”1116″] “…Footprint is doing a great job! I will highly recommend you to everyone I know traveling to Ethiopia An incredible way to truly experience the local culture and villages that have not been spoilt by tourism. And, to do it with a tour company that respects the local people, their culture and environment…”[/lvca_testimonial_slide][lvca_testimonial_slide author=”Ken and Marg from Canada” credentials=”The trek was fab!” author_image=”1116″] “…Footprint is doing a great job! I will highly recommend you to everyone I know traveling to Ethiopia An incredible way to truly experience the local culture and villages that have not been spoilt by tourism. And, to do it with a tour company that respects the local people, their culture and environment…”[/lvca_testimonial_slide][lvca_testimonial_slide author=”Ken and Marg from Canada” credentials=”The trek was fab!” author_image=”1116″] “…Footprint is doing a great job! I will highly recommend you to everyone I know traveling to Ethiopia An incredible way to truly experience the local culture and villages that have not been spoilt by tourism. And, to do it with a tour company that respects the local people, their culture and environment…”[/lvca_testimonial_slide][/lvca_testimonials_slider]

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