(እንቁጣጣሽ) Enkutatash which means “Gift of Jewels”‘ is a public holiday in coincidence of New Year in Ethiopia and Eritrea. It occurs on Meskerem 1st on the Ethiopian calendar, which is 11 September (or, during a leap year, 12 September) according to the Gregorian calendar.
Meskerem is seen as a month of transition from the old year to the new. It is a time to express hopes and dreams for the future. Enkutatash is an important festival in the lives of ethiopians. After three months of heavy rains the sun comes out creating a beautiful clear fresh atmosphere. The highland fields turn to gold as the Meskal daisies burst into flower.
When Makeda, the Queen of Sheba, returned to ethiopia after her famous visit to King Solomon, her chiefs welcomed her forward by giving her “enku” or jewels. Enkutatash Customs: On New Year’s Eve, torches of dry leaves and wood bundled in the form of tall and thick sticks are also set on fire in front of houses as the young and old sing. Early in the morning everybody goes to Church wearing traditional Ethiopian clothing. After Church there is a family meal of Injera (flat bread) and Wat (stew). The girls go from house to house singing New Year songs for money and the boys sell pictures that they have drawn. In the evening families go to visit their friends and drink tella the traditional Ethiopian beer. While the elders discuss their hopes for the New Year the children go and spend the money they have earned.
All employees here at Timeless Ethiopia wishes you a happy, and prosperous year to all Ethiopians, and Business Partners!!