This African Country is Literally 8 Years Behind the Rest of the World
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This country in Africa follows is own calendar, which is vastly different from the Gregorian calendar the rest of the world follows. This traditional calendar puts the country eight years behind the rest of the world
The Ethiopian calendar comprises 12 months of 30 days each, plus a 13th month known as Pagume, with five or six days. (News18)
There are 195 countries in the world and each have own political and social systems and traditions. Many countries have their own calendars apart from the one commonly followed throughout the world. For example, some use the lunar calendar to chart festivals and the lunar new year. India alone is home to many such traditional calendars that dictate the new year’s day for various communities.
But did you know one country in Africa follows is own calendar, which is vastly different from the Gregorian calendar the rest of the world follows, even for official business? This traditional calendar puts Ethiopia eight years behind the rest of the world.
The remarkable country, the oldest independent nation in Africa, continues to use its ancient calendar instead of the Gregorian calendar used globally. The Ethiopian calendar system has 13 months, a structure that’s been preserved for centuries.
Why is the Ethiopian calendar eight years behind?
The Ethiopian calendar comprises 12 months of 30 days each, plus a 13th month known as Pagume, with five or six days. This structure, adding up to 13 months, makes the Ethiopian calendar fall approximately eight years behind the rest of the world. In Ethiopia, the New Year begins on September 11 (or September 12 in leap years), and currently, the Ethiopian year is 2016 (as of late 2023/early 2024).
Months in the Ethiopian calendar
- Meskerem (September-October)
- Tikimt (October-November)
- Hidar (November-December)
- Tahsas (December-January)
- Tir (January-February)
- Yekatit (February-March)
- Megabit (March-April)
- Miazia (April-May)
- Ginbot (May-June)
- Sene (June-July)
- Hamle (July-August)
- Nehase (August-September)
- Pagume (5-6 days in September)
Time Calculation
- The calendar starts from the estimated date of the Annunciation (Jesus’s conception), which they calculate as 7-8 years after the common Western calculation.
- Each day starts at dawn (6:00 AM) rather than midnight.
- They use a unique time-counting system that starts at dawn – so their 1:00 is our 7:00 AM.
Year Structure
- Each month has exactly 30 days (very different from the variable-length Gregorian months). The 13th month (Pagume) acts as a “catch-all”:
- In regular years: 5 days
- In leap years: 6 daysLeap years follow a similar pattern to the Gregorian calendar but offset:
- Occurs every 4 years
- The extra day is added to Pagume
Date Conversion
To roughly convert from Ethiopian to Gregorian:
- For dates from January 1 to September 10: Add 7 years
- For dates from September 11 to December 31: Add 8 years
However, exact conversion requires considering
- The month differences
- The different New Year date
- Leap year variations
For example
- Ethiopian date: Meskerem 1, 2016
- Converts to: September 11, 2023 (Gregorian)
This unique time system has remained remarkably stable and continues to be used for official government business, religious observances, and daily life in Ethiopia alongside the Gregorian calendar. However, it’s been quite challenging for visitors, yet many embrace this cultural experience, appreciating Ethiopia’s commitment to preserving its unique heritage.
