Ethiopian Calendar: Months, Years, Holidays and How It Works
Ethiopia operates on its own unique timekeeping system, distinctly separate from the Gregorian calendar used across most of the world. Known as the Ge'ez calendar, it contains 13 months, sits approximately seven to eight years behind the Western calendar, and starts its New Year in September.
This distinct calendar is not just a historical curiosity—it is actively used today across Ethiopia for civil governance, church liturgies, school schedules, and daily public life. Understanding how the calendar operates offers a fascinating window into the nation's deep history, astronomical traditions, and spiritual heritage. It forms a crucial part of the broader cultural backdrop explored in our
Traditional Ethiopian wall calendar with Ge'ez text and modern numerals.
Why Is the Ethiopian Calendar 7 to 8 Years Behind?
The most famous aspect of the Ethiopian calendar is its year count. Depending on the time of year, Ethiopia is either 7 years and 8 months or 8 years behind the Gregorian calendar. For instance, when the Gregorian calendar entered 2026, Ethiopia was celebrating the year 2018.
The Calculation of the Annunciation
This gap stems from a historical difference in calculating the birth year of Jesus Christ:
The Roman/Gregorian Calculation: In the 6th century AD, a monk named Dionysius Exiguus calculated the birth of Christ (the Incarnation). His calculations were later modified and adopted by the Roman Catholic Church, eventually forming the Gregorian calendar used globally today.
The Ethiopian/Alexandrian Calculation: The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church retained the earlier calculations established by the Church of Alexandria (specifically the scholar Annianus of Alexandria in the 5th century AD). Annianus calculated that Christ was born eight years later than Dionysius's estimate.
Because Ethiopia never adopted the Gregorian calendar reforms introduced by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582, it maintained this ancient Alexandrian calculation uninterrupted.
Structure of the Ethiopian Calendar: 13 Months
The Ethiopian calendar is solar-based and follows a strict, highly predictable structure. Unlike the Gregorian calendar, where months vary between 28, 30, and 31 days, the Ethiopian calendar divides 360 days into 12 identical months of 30 days each. The remaining five or six days are grouped into a short 13th month at the end of the year.
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| ETHIOPIAN CALENDAR STRUCTURE OVERVIEW |
+-------------------+--------------------+-------------------+----------------------+
| Ethiopian Month | Days in Month | Gregorian Equivalent Start Date* |
+-------------------+--------------------+-------------------+----------------------+
| Meskerem | 30 Days | September 11 |
| Tikimt | 30 Days | October 11 |
| Hidar | 30 Days | November 10 |
| Tahsas | 30 Days | December 10 |
| Tir | 30 Days | January 9 |
| Yakatit | 30 Days | February 8 |
| Megabit | 30 Days | March 10 |
| Miyazya | 30 Days | April 9 |
| Ginbot | 30 Days | May 9 |
| Sene | 30 Days | June 8 |
| Hamle | 30 Days | July 8 |
| Nehase | 30 Days | August 7 |
| Pagume | 5 or 6 Days | September 6 |
+-------------------+--------------------+-------------------+----------------------+
*Note: Gregorian start dates shift by +1 day during an Ethiopian leap year.
Pagume: The 13th Month
The 13th month is called Pagume (derived from the Greek word Epagomenai, meaning "intercalary days").
In a standard year, Pagume has 5 days.
In a leap year, Pagume has 6 days.
Because Pagume falls in early September right before the New Year, tourism campaigns frequently market Ethiopia as having "13 Months of Sunshine."
How Ethiopian Leap Years Work
Like the Julian calendar, the Ethiopian calendar operates on a strict four-year leap cycle without exception.
The Four Evangelists Cycle
Each year in the four-year cycle is named after one of the four Evangelists of the Christian Gospels:
Year of Matthew (Matewos)
Year of Mark (Markos)
Year of Luke (Lukas) – Leap Year
Year of John (Yohannes)
The Year of Luke is the leap year. During this year, Pagume gains its 6th day.
Impact on New Year's Day
Standard Year: Ethiopian New Year (Enkutatash) falls on September 11 in the Gregorian calendar.
Leap Year (and the year following): Ethiopian New Year falls on September 12 in the Gregorian calendar.
Because the Ethiopian system does not skip leap years at the turn of centuries (unlike the Gregorian system), its alignment with Gregorian dates remains stable for long periods.
Major Ethiopian Holidays and Festivals
Because the calendar is deeply intertwined with the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, major public holidays follow fixed calendar dates that correspond to distinct seasons.
Ethiopians in traditional white clothing gathered for the outdoor Meskel bonfire celebration.
1. Enkutatash (Ethiopian New Year)
Ethiopian Date: Meskerem 1
Gregorian Date: September 11 (September 12 in a leap year)
Cultural Meaning: Marks the end of the heavy rainy season (Kiremt) and the blossoming of yellow Adey Abeba flowers across the highlands. Families gather, exchange greetings, and share traditional meals. You can read more about these customs in our complete guide to
Enkutatash
2. Meskel (Finding of the True Cross)
Ethiopian Date: Meskerem 17
Gregorian Date: September 27 (September 28 in a leap year)
Cultural Meaning: Commemorates the discovery of the True Cross by Empress Helena. The highlight is the lighting of a massive ceremonial bonfire called a Demera in town squares across the nation. Learn about its origins and ceremonies in our guide to
Meskel in Ethiopia
3. Ganna / Genna (Ethiopian Christmas)
Ethiopian Date: Tahsas 29
Gregorian Date: January 7 (January 8 in a leap year)
Cultural Meaning: Celebrated after a 43-day period of fasting. It features overnight church services, traditional feasts including
Doro Wat
4. Timkat (Epiphany)
Ethiopian Date: Tir 11
Gregorian Date: January 19 (January 20 in a leap year)
Cultural Meaning: Celebrates the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River. Replicas of the Ark of the Covenant (Tabots) are carried to water bodies in grand, colorful processions led by priests. Discover how this UNESCO-recognized festival is celebrated in our dedicated article on
Timkat in Ethiopia
5. Irreecha (Oromo Thanksgiving Festival)
Ethiopian Date: Late Meskerem / Early Tikimt
Gregorian Date: Late September / Early October
Cultural Meaning: Celebrated by the Oromo people to give thanks to Waaqayyo (God) for the end of the rainy season and the arrival of harvest. Millions gather near water sources, such as Lake Hora in Bishoftu. Read more about its rituals in our guide to
Irreecha
Ethiopian Time vs. Ethiopian Calendar
It is impossible to discuss the calendar without mentioning how daily time is measured. In Ethiopia, the 12-hour clock cycle is aligned directly with sunrise and sunset rather than midnight and noon.
6:00 AM (Gregorian) = 1:00 Day Time (1:00 Sa'at) in Ethiopia.
6:00 PM (Gregorian) = 1:00 Night Time (1:00 Sa'at) in Ethiopia.
Because Ethiopia sits close to the Equator, daylight hours remain relatively constant year-round (roughly 6:00 AM sunrise to 6:00 PM sunset). Starting the clock at dawn makes logical sense in daily life. For a full breakdown on converting time, visit our guide on
Practical Tips for Travelers and Business
Navigating two distinct calendar systems requires a bit of practical awareness, especially when visiting or doing business in the country:
Official Documents: Government paperwork, flight tickets issued by domestic carriers, bank receipts, and school schedules inside Ethiopia use the Ethiopian calendar and year count.
International Services: Hotels, international flights, and tourist bookings stick to the Gregorian calendar to avoid confusion.
Cross-Checking Dates: When arranging tours around major cultural festivals, always check whether the year is a leap year, as festival dates shift by one Gregorian day. If you are planning a trip, consult our recommendations on the
Best Time to Visit Ethiopia
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Ethiopia have 13 months?
Ethiopia uses a solar calendar system that divides 360 days into 12 equal months of 30 days each. The remaining 5 days (or 6 days in a leap year) form a short 13th month called Pagume at the end of the year.
What year is it in Ethiopia right now?
Because the Ethiopian calendar sits roughly 7 years and 8 months behind the Gregorian calendar, when the Gregorian calendar is in 2026, Ethiopia is in its year 2018 (until Meskerem 1 / September 11, when it turns 2019).
When is the Ethiopian New Year?
Ethiopian New Year (Enkutatash) falls on Meskerem 1, which corresponds to September 11 in the Gregorian calendar (or September 12 during a leap year).
