While Kenya and much of the world are marking September 11, 2026, Ethiopia is celebrating the beginning of 2019 under its traditional calendar.

Known as Enkutatash, the Ethiopian New Year marks the first day of the Ethiopian calendar, which normally falls on September 11, although it moves to September 12 in a Gregorian leap year.

What makes Ethiopia’s New Year unique is the calendar behind it. Unlike the Gregorian calendar used in Kenya, the Ethiopian calendar has 13 months.

The calendar has 12 months, each with exactly 30 days. The remaining days are placed in a short 13th month called Pagume, which has five days in a normal year and six days in a leap year.

This calendar system is also why Ethiopia’s year number is about seven to eight years behind the Gregorian calendar. While Kenya is in 2026, Ethiopia is entering 2019.

The first month is called Meskerem and begins on September 11. It is followed by Tikimt, Hidar, Tahsas, Tir, Yakatit, Maggabit, Miyazya, Ginbot, Sene, Hamle and Nehasa, before the year ends with Pagume.

Why September 11?

Enkutatash comes at the end of Ethiopia’s main rainy season and marks the beginning of a new season.

The celebration is also associated with the blooming of Adey Abeba, bright yellow flowers that appear around this time of year. The flowers symbolise renewal, hope and new beginnings.

Ethiopia’s 13-month calendar is part of the country’s rich cultural heritage and has been preserved for generations.

The 13 Months of the Ethiopian Calendar

Meskerem: (September 11 – October 10) – The first month, marking the Ethiopian New Year (Enkutatash).

Tikimt: (October 11 – November 9)

Hidar: (November 10 – December 9)

Tahsas: (December 10 – January 8)

Tir: (January 9 – February 7)

Yakatit: (February 8 – March 9)

Maggabit: (March 10 – April 8)

Miyazya: (April 9 – May 8)

Ginbot: (May 9 – June 7)

Sene: (June 8 – July 7)

Hamle: (July 8 – August 6)

Nehasa: (August 7 – September 6)

Pagume: (September 6 – September 10/11) – The 13th month, containing 5 days (or 6 days during a leap year).

As the country welcomes 2019, Enkutatash offers a glimpse into one of the world’s distinctive calendar systems, and explains why Ethiopia is famously associated with the phrase “Land of 13 Months of Sunshine.”