Ethiopia to enter the year 2016 tomorrow
The East African country of Ethiopia, which uses its own unique calendar, is preparing to enter the year 2016 tomorrow. The solar-based Ethiopian calendar is approximately 7 years and 8 months behind the Gregorian calendar.
12punto
Ethiopia, a nation of 120 million people that welcomes the new year on September 11 or 12 each year, will enter the year 2016 tomorrow. All official institutions in the country will be closed tomorrow for the New Year's holiday.
In his congratulatory message, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed stated that they had overcome many challenges last year and wished all Ethiopians happiness in the new year.
The government also timed the full filling of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, one of the country's largest economic projects, to coincide with the start of the new year.
The first day of the year, known as "Enkutatash," is considered the end of the rainy season and the beginning of the harvest period.
7 YEARS AND 8 MONTHS BEHIND
The Ethiopian calendar, which is solar-based and approximately 7 years and 8 months behind the Gregorian calendar, is used by the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia for all official business, in addition to being a religious calendar.
In Ethiopia, which also uses a different time system, the day begins at 06:00, not at 00:00. While a day consists of two separate 12-hour segments, the first time zone begins at 06:00 and the second at 18:00.
In the Ethiopian calendar, 12 months consist of 30 days, and there is a 13th month of 5 to 6 days after the 12th month. According to this calendar, the new year begins on September 11 or 12.