The nation implementing a 13-month calendar in 2016: An investigation into its peculiar calendrical system.
In the 21st century, while the rest of the world is in 2025, Ethiopia continues to follow its own unique calendar system, the Ethiopian calendar, which sets it apart from all others. How is it possible that they are living in 2016 while everyone else is in 2025? The answer lies in their history.
Ethiopia uses a different calendar based on the Alexandrian calendar, giving it a distinct characteristic: according to their dating system, the birth of Jesus occurred 7 years later than what the Western calendar establishes. As a result, there is a year difference, making the date in the country completely different from the rest of the world.
Unlike the Gregorian calendar with 12 months, the Ethiopian calendar has 13 months. Nine months consist of 30 days each, while the remaining three have 31 days. There is also an additional month called Pagumē, which has 5 days in common years and 6 days in leap years. This structure provides a symmetrical pattern, making the Ethiopian calendar one of the most precise in the world.
The Ethiopian New Year does not fall in January like the rest of the world but on September 11 (or 12 in a leap year), marking the beginning of their month Meskerem. For Ethiopians, this event holds not only chronological value but is also a moment of celebration symbolizing the new cycle of the calendar and a renewal of their culture.
The Ethiopian calendar goes beyond measuring time; it has become a symbol of the national identity of Ethiopia. Unlike many other African countries, Ethiopia was never formally colonized, which has strengthened its identity and, through its traditions, reinforces its cultural sovereignty. Maintaining their own dating system is another way to assert their independence against external influences.
