Millenium 2000, one year to go!

Located on the high plateau in the north-east of Afrika, Ethiopia enjoy not only a special climate and widelife, but also a unique calendar that consists of 13 months. The Ethiopian New Year is on September 11th 2006, or Meskerem 1st 1999 in the Ethiopian calendar and this year is especially significant being one year before the Ethiopian Millenium 2000.

Ethiopians at home and abroad will celebrate New Year's Day ( Addis Amet) with joy, singing, dancing, exchanging gifts and the sharing of traditional food and drink...

The Ethiopian New Year comes after the rainy season when nature's beauty can be seen most clearly, mountains and valleys of the country are all green and the fresh smell of flowers ( including the symbolic Maskal daisies) in the air. This is also the harvest season and therefore a time of parties and celebrations.

The date of the New Year itself is believed to be the date that signaled the end of Noah's flood.

Origins of the new year festivities are related to the return of the Queen of Sheba from her famous visit to King Salomon in Jerusalem; the name "Enkutatash" meaning gifts of jewels, is derived from reports of the Queen of Sheba being welcome back by her chiefs and priests with praises and extravagant gifts of jewels.

Elaborate religious ceremonies usually take place at the 14th Century Kosete Yohanes church near Gondar and the Raguel church in Entoto (Addis Ababa), with each year being dedicated to one of the four New Testament evangelists- Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. 1999 is the year of "Zemena Luccas" (Luke).

The "spring Festival" reveals Ethiopian tradition and culture in its pure form, making it a wonderful opportunity to transmit our precious heritage to younger generations. Ethiopians at home and abroad should use this symbolic day to unite, put aside differences, maintain integrity and cultural identity and strive for the progress and peace of beautiful Ethiopia. We are calling on all Ethiopians to make this year before the highly significant Millenium 2000, a foundation for a prosperous and peaceful Ethiopian future.

So, once again, "Melkam Addis Amet", with a sincere message of love, peace, goodwill, good health and prosperity for the year 1999.

One perfect Ras Tafari Love.
Ras Dlo Levi.

Promoting Ethiopia/Afrika and the E.W.F.Inc.

Read more about Enkutatash in Rasta Ites Ethiopian pages