Only country in the entire world that is living in 2017, has 13 months in a year, does not celebrate New Year in January, it is due to…, unique place is…
2025 is set to wrap up in two months, but can you imagine a country that is still in 2017, celebrates its New Year in September, and counts its calendar months as 13 instead of 12? Seems impossible? Well, a country like that exists. Well, it is not a fictional place but a real place on the globe.
Ethiopia is the only country in the world that employs the Ancient Ge’ez or Ethiopian calendar, an ancient calendar system. While most countries follow the Gregorian calendar, Ethiopia continues to maintain its calendar system that is approximately seven to eight years behind the world calendar.
What makes this country live in 2017 while the world is in 2025?
This nation follows the Ge’er calendar, which has 13 months—12 months of 30 days each and an additional month named Pagume, which has 5 days in normal years and 6 days in leap years.
The difference originates from the way Jesus Christ was calculated. Most of the world celebrates Christ’s birth in AD (Anno Domini). However, the Ethiopian Orthodox Church believes he was born 7 years earlier, in 7BC, as reported by ABPLIVE. The Ethiopian calendar consequently runs roughly 7-8 years behind the Gregorian Calendar. In other words, when the world is in 2025, Ethiopia is still celebrating 2017.
Where is this fascinating country located in the world map?
Enkutatash is the name for Ethiopia’s New Year, meaning “gift of jewels.” It is celebrated on September 11 of every year, or on September 12 in a leap year. Likewise, Christmas is not celebrated on December 25, but on January 7, referred to as Gena in their language. Interestingly enough, while the rest of the world sees the day as starting at midnight, Ethiopians start their day at 6:00 AM, and Ethiopian clocks run about six hours behind the world clock system.
Ethiopia’s distinctiveness extends beyond its calendar alone. It is the only African country never colonized by a European power. It boasts ancient rock-hewn churches, and countless layers of cultures make Ethiopia a treasure trove of cultural and the histories that created it.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
- Enkutatash is the name for Ethiopia’s New Year, meaning “gift of jewels.”
- It is celebrated on September 11 of every year, or on September 12 in a leap year.
- Ethiopia’s distinctiveness extends beyond its calendar alone.
- It is the only African country never colonized by a European power.
Ethiopian culture operates on its calendar as well as the Ge’ez calendar. The Gregorian (standard) calendar is utilized primarily for trade, travel, and officially accepted government records, whereas the Ge’ez calendar is used in everyday life, including for festivals, work on birthdays, and agricultural activities.
News