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Understanding the Ethiopian Calendar
The Ethiopian calendar, also known as the Ge'ez calendar, is the principal calendar used in Ethiopia and also serves as the liturgical calendar for Christians in Eritrea and Ethiopia belonging to the Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo Church and the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church. It is a unique solar calendar that derives from the ancient Coptic calendar, which itself has roots in the even older Egyptian calendar system. Its distinct structure and dating make it a fascinating subject and a cornerstone of Ethiopian culture and identity.
The 13-Month Structure: A Year of Sunshine
One of the most defining features of the Ethiopian calendar is its division of the year into 13 months. The first twelve months each have exactly 30 days. The thirteenth month, known as Pagume (ጳጉሜ), consists of five days in a common year and six days in a leap year. This structure is the source of a popular tourism slogan, “Thirteen Months of Sunshine,” highlighting the country’s pleasant climate and distinctive timekeeping.
This method of structuring the year is highly consistent. Unlike the Gregorian calendar with its variable month lengths (28, 29, 30, or 31 days), the Ethiopian system provides a predictable rhythm of 30-day months, making it simple and elegant for both civil life and liturgical use.
The 13 Months of the Ethiopian Year (Complete)
Accuracy note: Gregorian (GC) equivalents below are typical spans. Meskerem 1 usually falls on September 11 (or September 12 in Gregorian leap years). Minor 1-day shifts can occur around leap years.
| # | Month (EN / አማርኛ) | Typical GC span | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Meskerem (መስከረም) | ~ Sep 11/12 – Oct 10/11 | New Year Enkutatash (Meskerem 1); Meskel (Finding of the True Cross) on Meskerem 17 (≈ Sep 27, or Sep 28 in GC leap years). |
| 2 | Tikimt (ጥቅምት) | ~ Oct 11 – Nov 9 | Post-rainy season harvest; clear skies return; local saint commemorations. |
| 3 | Hidar (ህዳር) | ~ Nov 10 – Dec 9 | Includes November Saint Michael observance (≈ Nov 21 GC in many traditions). |
| 4 | Tahsas (ታህሳስ) | ~ Dec 10 – Jan 8 | Genna (Ethiopian Christmas) on Tahsas 29 (≈ Jan 7 GC). |
| 5 | Tir (ጥር) | ~ Jan 9 – Feb 7 | Timket (Epiphany) on Tir 11 (≈ Jan 19 GC; Jan 20 in GC leap years). |
| 6 | Yekatit (የካቲት) | ~ Feb 8 – Mar 9 | Victory of Adwa (≈ Mar 2 GC); fasting preparations in many communities. |
| 7 | Megabit (መጋቢት) | ~ Mar 10 – Apr 8 | Lenten season continues; nationwide commemorations and processions. |
| 8 | Miyazya (ሚያዝያ) | ~ Apr 9 – May 8 | Feast of Saint George (≈ Apr 23 GC); Patriots’ Victory Day (≈ May 5 GC). |
| 9 | Ginbot (ግንቦት) | ~ May 9 – Jun 7 | Downfall of the Derg (≈ May 28 GC); civic and national commemorations. |
| 10 | Sene (ሰኔ) | ~ Jun 8 – Jul 7 | Saint Michael Feast in June (≈ Jun 19 GC); warmer weather; pre-rain activities. |
| 11 | Hamle (ሐምሌ) | ~ Jul 8 – Aug 6 | Rains begin in much of the country; agricultural cycle intensifies; local feasts. |
| 12 | Nehasse (ነሐሴ) | ~ Aug 7 – Sep 5 | Peak rainy season; fasting/feast preparations; anticipation of the New Year. |
| 13 | Pagume (ጳጉሜ) | ~ Sep 6 – Sep 10/11 | 5 days (6 in Ethiopian leap years). Includes Lideta (St. Mary’s Birth ≈ Sep 8 GC). A time of reflection and year-end completion. |
Why is it Seven to Eight Years Behind?
A common question is why the Ethiopian year is seven to eight years “behind” the Gregorian year. The discrepancy comes from different calculations of the Annunciation—the announcement to Mary that she would bear Jesus Christ. The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo tradition places this in 7 AD, whereas the Gregorian system used an earlier date. As a result, the Ethiopian year count is lower by about seven to eight years.
Leap Years and Pagume
The Ethiopian leap-year rule is straightforward: every fourth year is a leap year—years where
y % 4 = 3—and Pagume has six days instead of five. In the Gregorian calendar,
leap-year effects cause Meskerem 1 to fall on either September 11 or September 12.
Cultural and Religious Significance
The calendar is deeply interwoven with Ethiopian cultural and religious life. It guides fasts, feasts, and national commemorations. Major fixed observances include Enkutatash (New Year), Meskel (Finding of the True Cross), Genna (Christmas), Timket (Epiphany), the Victory of Adwa, Patriots’ Day, and the Downfall of the Derg. Movable feasts such as Fasika (Easter) are calculated using ancient ecclesiastical rules.
Last reviewed: . For conversion details, see our Methodology and explore observances on the Holidays page.