Ethiopian Calendar
The Ethiopian Calendar, also called the Julian Calendar, is identical to the Coptic Calendar, except that the names are different.
The new year begins on Meskerem 1 (September 11 or 12 Gregorian Calendar)--September 12 on Ethiopian leap years.
From September 11 to December 31, the Ethiopian Calendar is 7 years behind the Gregorian (Western) Calendar. From January 1 to September 10, it is 8 years behind.
Each month of the Ethiopian Calendar has 30 days plus a 13th month of 5 days (6 days in leap years).
30×12+5=365 (common year)
30×12+6=366 (leap year)
The months are:
Meskerem (September)
Tikimit (October)
Hidar (November)
Tahesas (December)
Tir (January)
Yekatit (February)
Megabit (March)
Miyazia (April)
Ginbot (May)
Sene (June)
Hamle (July)
Nehase (August)
Pagume (5 days, or 6 days in leap years).
Days: Days begin at sunrise; in contrast to the hours of the Gregorian Calendar. Sunrise is always considered to be 1:00 (7 AM) by the Ethiopian Calendar.
To bring the calendar to 365 days, the Ethiopian Calendar appends a month called Pagume, lasting for 5 days in common years and 6 days in leap years.
The Ethiopian Calendar adds a day to Pagume to track the leap years of the Gregorian Calendar. Leap years by the Ethiopian Calendar are those that end in a Gregorian Calendar year preceding a Gregorian Calendar leap year.
