Ethiopians today (September 11) usher in New Year with bright and colourful decorations in the capital, Addis Ababa and other cities and towns across the country.
Nationals enter the year 2010 according to the Ethiopian Orthodox calendar, which is nearly seven years behind the Georgian calendar commonly used worldwide.
Locally known as Enkutatash, Amharic for gift of jewels, family and friends come together to spend time with one another. Social media is also buzzing with the people sending congratulatory messages.
Happy #Ethiopian New Year 2010 to our brothers & sisters celebrating. Best wishes of good health, peace & prosperity. Melkem Addis Ahmet. pic.twitter.com/8esTETzJXR
— Jacob Enoh Eben (@EnohEben_J) September 11, 2017
Melkam Addis Amet, Happy Ethiopian New Year! pic.twitter.com/P1g2WDVPq8
— Ethiopian Mission EU (@EthiopiaEU) September 8, 2017
The government outlined a 10-day event between September 1 – 10 as part of plans to warmly welcome the New Year.
The events as announced by the Minister of information, Negeri Lencho, included: Love Day, Mothers’ and Children’s Day, Elders’ Day, Peace Day, Reading Day, Green Development Day, Respect Day, National Feelings Day, Unity Day and Ethiopia Day.