Today, September 11 is Ethiopian New Year, otherwise known as Enkutatash in Amharic, Ethiopia’s official language. The Ethiopian calendar, also called the Ge’ez calendar, is 7 to 8 years behind the Gregorian calendar (the calendar of the Western world). So don’t be confused if you happen to attend an Ethiopian New Year celebration, and hear people chanting, “Happy 2005!” Ethiopian New Year not only marks the end of the Ethiopian calendar, but it also celebrates the end of the rainy season. It’s also considered a religious holiday that commemorates John the Baptist.

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