Popular Nigerian Afrobeat singer Davido recently headlined Ethiopia’s New Year 2017 celebration, marking a unique event in the country’s calendar.
Ethiopia celebrates its New Year according to the Ethiopian calendar, which is approximately seven to eight years behind the Gregorian calendar used by most of the world.
This distinct calendar places Ethiopia in the year 2017 as of September 10, 2024.
The celebration, which took place on Tuesday, September 10, 2024, saw Davido deliver an energetic performance, delighting fans with his hit songs.
Ubi Franklin, Davido’s associate and talent manager, took to Instagram to share highlights from the event. Posting a video of the festivities, Franklin remarked, “It’s New Year in Ethiopia; they are in 2017. They just entered 2017.”
The Ethiopian calendar, also known as the Ge’ez calendar, is rooted in ancient times and follows a system that diverges significantly from the Gregorian calendar used by much of the world.
The Ethiopian year is approximately seven to eight years behind the Gregorian year, due to differences in calculations of the date of the Annunciation and other historical factors.
This unique calendar system also divides the year into 13 months—12 months of 30 days each, plus an additional month of 5 or 6 days depending on whether it’s a leap year.
New Year’s Day in Ethiopia, known as Enkutatash, is a vibrant celebration that marks the end of the rainy season and the beginning of the harvest.
Traditionally, Enkutatash is a time for families to come together, exchange gifts, and enjoy festive meals.
The celebrations often include traditional music, dance, and cultural performances.
