Happy 2005 Ethiopian New Year
Ayanna Nahmias, Editor-in-Chief
This is an inspirational time of the year because of the proximity of the major holidays of the Abrahamic religions.
We have just concluded Ramadan and now we are celebrating the Ethiopian New Year. Enkutatash is the word for new year in Amharic the official language of Ethiopia.
The new year is also known as Ri’se Awde Amet (Head Anniversary) in Ge’ez, an appellation preferred by the Ethiopian Orthodox Church.
It occurs on September 11 in the Gregorian
calendar, except for leap years, when it occurs on September 12. The
Ethiopian calendar year 1998 ‘Amätä Məhrät (“Year of Mercy”) began on September 11, 2005. However, the Ethiopian years 1996 and 1992 AM began on September 12, 2003 and 1999, respectively.
This date correspondence applies from the
Gregorian years 1900 to 2099. Generally, because every fourth Ethiopian
year is a leap year without exception, while Gregorian years divisible
by 100 are not leap years, a set of corresponding dates will thus apply only for one century. However, because the Gregorian year 2000 is a leap year, then in this case the correspondences continue for two centuries. (Source: Wikipedia)
The Ethiopian New Year will be followed by
the Jewish High Holidays of Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur. We honor all
of our readers by acknowledging and celebrating their holy holidays and
we thank them and wish them happiness and joy on during these perennial
festivals.
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