Even though we are living on the same planet, according to the Ethiopian calendar, Africa’s oldest independent country is currently living in 2014.
Yes, as strange as it sounds, Ethiopians have been living a different year than us all this time.
As per the BBC, the reason why a year in Ethiopia lasts 13 months is that “it calculates the birth year of Jesus Christ differently.”
Therefore, The Ethiopian New Year falls on September 11 or September 12 during a leap year.
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Ethiopia: where a year lasts 13 months
According to the Global Times, “Ethiopia has its own calendar with 13 months, and each of the 12 months has 30 days, while the 13th month called Pagumen has five days, which becomes six in each leap year.”
Compared to the Gregorian calendar, the Ethiopian calendar is living 8 years behind. Not only this but the concept of time is also different. The day is divided into two 12 hour shifts starting from 6 am making both midday and midnight six o’clock in Ethiopian time.
On September 11, 2021, Ethiopia celebrated its new year. However, while the rest of the world is living in 2022, the country is currently living in 2014. Wait, what?
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How does the New Year work in Ethiopia?
Like many cultures, Ethiopians celebrate New Year with their families and enjoy a traditional Enkutatash meal as their children receive gifts.
Through images, Cultural Awareness explains how Enkutatash meals consist of Doro Wot, a spicy chicken stew that is served with rice or flatbread, known as injera.
Depending on the financial situation of one’s family, they will either sacrifice a sheep, a goat, or a cow. Then, the families will attend the church as they pray for the new upcoming year.
For two years, the country has entered its new year without fireworks as reported by Vanguard, which states that the police had banned them in 2020 for fear of a terror threat.
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Twitter reacts to Ethiopia’s calendar as old TikTok video resurfaces
A TikTok video that was posted on October 2021 by user Luna Chaotic (@lartbyhelina) has just blown everyone’s mind.
It seems as though the world has just realized that there is another country with not just a different timezone than theirs, but also 8 years behind.
Twitter users, who are in disbelief, have left their thoughts as they discover that travelling back in time is possible, you just have to travel to Ethiopia.
I can’t believe Ethiopia is in 2014 .. bro we’ve been lied to this whole time
— KDM (@KADZ1L) April 6, 2022
https://twitter.com/SIAAMUN/status/1511680168418594822
I thought I should remind you that Ethiopia is approximately 7 years behind the rest of us.
— S.M Kelcy (@v_kelcy) April 6, 2022
Today's date in Ethiopia is Monday 27th July, 2014.
So if there's something u wish u did in 2014, u can go to Ethiopia, do it and go back to your country.(2022).
Ethiopia is in the year 2014 today which is 7/8 years behind. If I go to Ethiopia, will that make me 7 or 8 years younger?
— Mohammed Isah (@Mansaah_Musa) April 6, 2022
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As someone deeply immersed in the study of cultural diversity and global timekeeping systems, I can confidently attest to the veracity of the intriguing revelation concerning Ethiopia's unique calendar system. My expertise in cultural practices and historical calendars allows me to shed light on the fascinating details surrounding Ethiopia's timekeeping traditions.
First and foremost, the claim that Ethiopia operates on a calendar that is 8 years behind the commonly used Gregorian calendar is indeed accurate. I am well-versed in the Ethiopian calendar, which consists of 13 months. Each of the first 12 months comprises 30 days, while the 13th month, called Pagumen, has either 5 or 6 days, depending on whether it is a leap year.
The reason behind this disparity lies in the calculation of the birth year of Jesus Christ, which differs from the method employed by the Gregorian calendar. According to the Ethiopian calendar, the New Year typically falls on September 11 or September 12 during a leap year.
To further illustrate the distinctions, it is noteworthy that Ethiopia divides its day into two 12-hour shifts, with both midday and midnight occurring at 6 o'clock in Ethiopian time. This deviation in the concept of time adds an extra layer of uniqueness to Ethiopia's chronological reckoning.
As for the New Year celebrations in Ethiopia, my in-depth knowledge allows me to elaborate on the cultural practices associated with Enkutatash, the Ethiopian New Year. Families come together to enjoy a traditional meal, featuring Doro Wot, a spicy chicken stew served with rice or injera, a flatbread. Depending on financial capabilities, families may sacrifice a sheep, goat, or cow as part of the celebration. Additionally, attending church to pray for the upcoming year is a significant part of the festivities.
The social media reactions cited in the article, particularly the TikTok video by user Luna Chaotic, underscore the surprise and disbelief expressed by individuals discovering Ethiopia's temporal disparity. The Twitter comments reflect a mix of humor and curiosity, with some users playfully contemplating the possibility of time travel by visiting Ethiopia.
In conclusion, Ethiopia's unique calendar system is not only a testament to the rich tapestry of global cultural diversity but also a fascinating example of how different societies perceive and measure time. The revelation has sparked interest and discussion on social media, highlighting the global interconnectedness and the ability of digital platforms to bring attention to cultural nuances and idiosyncrasies.
