Imagine stepping off a plane and time-traveling back nearly eight years. That’s exactly what happens when you land in Ethiopia. While the rest of the world says it's 2025, Ethiopians live in 2017. And instead of 12 months, their year has 13. Sounds surreal? Welcome to Ethiopia — where time flows a little differently.

This quirky twist in time isn’t just a fun fact. It reveals a lot about Ethiopia’s deep-rooted culture, strong independence, and how tradition beautifully blends with modern life. Let’s take a closer look at Ethiopia’s unique calendar and timekeeping system.

The Ethiopian Calendar: What Makes It Different?

The Ethiopian calendar, also called the Ge'ez calendar, is based on the ancient Coptic calendar, which itself came from the Egyptian system. It closely follows the solar cycle and has been used in Ethiopia for centuries.

13 Months in a Year: 12 months of 30 days each, plus a 13th month called Pagumē with 5 or 6 days (depending on leap years).
8-Year Gap: Ethiopia’s calendar is almost 8 years behind the Gregorian one because of a different calculation of Christ’s birth.
New Year in September: Enkutatash (Ethiopian New Year) is celebrated on September 11 or 12, marking the end of the rainy season.

A Day Starts When the Sun Rises

Ethiopia doesn’t just keep a different year — the clock also runs differently.

6 AM is 12 o'clock: The Ethiopian day begins at sunrise, so 6:00 AM (Western time) is 12:00 in Ethiopian time.
Counting from dawn: Hours reset at both sunrise and sunset.
Clarification: Locals often say “European time” or “Habesha time” to avoid confusion.

Example: If someone asks you to meet at 2 o’clock in the morning (Ethiopian time), that’s actually 8:00 AM Western time!

Why Does Ethiopia Follow Its Own Calendar?

Never colonized: Ethiopia resisted colonial rule, and its unique calendar is a symbol of independence.
Religious significance: The Ethiopian Orthodox Church follows it for festivals and rituals.
Cultural identity: It reinforces Ethiopia’s pride in maintaining traditions while embracing modern life.

Festivals on the Ethiopian Calendar

The different calendar means festivals fall on different dates compared to the Gregorian one.

Enkutatash (New Year): September — a celebration of fresh beginnings and blooming flowers.
Meskel (Finding of the True Cross): September 27, marked with massive bonfires.
Timket (Epiphany): January (Tir 11), with holy water rituals and vibrant parades.
Fasika (Easter): Follows the Ethiopian Orthodox timeline, often later than Western Easter.

How Does This Affect Travelers and Expats?

Booking & Appointments: Always confirm whether it’s Ethiopian time or Western time.
Festivals: Check local dates so you don’t arrive too early or too late.
Immersive experience: Understanding the system helps you connect better with locals.

Ethiopia’s Calendar in the Digital Age

In Addis Ababa and other cities, people switch between both calendars. Phones, computers, and apps use Gregorian dates, but the Ethiopian year still appears in conversations, shops, and ads. Many businesses even celebrate milestones according to the Ethiopian year — like the country’s millennium in 2007 (1999 EC).

A Country Living Between Worlds

Ethiopia’s calendar is more than just a different way to count time — it’s a proud cultural statement. It reminds us that progress doesn’t always mean conformity. Sometimes, keeping your own rhythm means staying true to who you are.

A Land of Timeless Culture

Ethiopia’s 13-month calendar is a treasure — blending history, tradition, and identity. It’s a lesson that time isn’t just about numbers, but about meaning, rhythm, and culture.

So the next time someone asks you what year it is, smile and say: “Well, that depends… where in the world are you?”

Did You Know Ethiopia Lives in a Different Year?