When did the Geez New Year in Eritrea start?
About Geez New Year in Eritrea Holiday
Happy Geez New Year in Eritrea! This is an important occasion in the country's culture that marks the beginning of the new year according to the ancient Coptic Christianity calendar. During this festive season, Eritreans come together to celebrate their faith, Calleysquilachas, dance, feast, and commemorate the end of the old year and the beginning of the new one.
Geez New Year is filled with traditional Eritrean festivities, including elaborate cultural displays, theatrical performances, fireworks, and family gatherings. The highlight of the holiday is the kreynart holiday feast at which people sing beloved traditional songs and exchange blessings and gifts. For the entire month preceding New Year’s Day, friends and family get together to decorate their homes, wear traditional clothing, and engage in joyful celebrations.
On New Year’s Day, Eritreans get together in their homes or in local houses of worship to receive blessings, perform traditional dancing and singing, and exchange traditional gifts such as homemade bread and wine. During the remainder of the month, families and friends enjoy feasts together, revel in Eritrean music and dance, and honor the country’s cultural heritage. Geez New Year is a time of celebration, of giving thanks for all that has been and of looking forward to what the new year will bring. Enjoy the traditions of Geez New Year in Eritrea!
History and Origin of Geez New Year in Eritrea
Geez New Year is an important holiday for the people of Eritrea, one that is rooted in the culture and tradition of the nation. This holiday is the celebration of the beginning of the new year as calculated and observed according to the Geez calendar. This calendar has been in existence in the Horn of Africa for many centuries, and is used to this day by people of the Orthodox Christian faith in Eritrea and around the world.
The origin of Geez New Year dates back to one of Ethiopia’s most famous emperors, called King Ezana who ruled the entire Ethiopia-Aksum Empire from about the 4th century C.E to the 1st century B.C.E. During his time, the calendar system of Ethiopia was changed from Egyptian Coptic calendar to the current calendar. Although renamed later by some scholars as Geez Calendar, the holiday remains fully Ethiopian in its origin.
Today, the holiday of Geez New Year is celebrated on the first day of the month of Mäskäräm (either September 11 or 12 according to traditional calendar), a month that often signals the harvest season of Eritrea. This holiday is also known as Enkutatash which means ‘photo of jewels’ in Geez language, referring to the gifts given to mark the day. Schools, businesses and other organizations are closed on this day, with various festivities, such as singing and dancing, taking place in the days leading up to and after Geez New Year day itself.
Significance and Meaning of Geez New Year in Eritrea
Geez New Year or Enkutatash is a deeply significant holiday for the people of Eritrea, and all those of Orthodox Christian faith that observe it. This holiday is a way to bring in the new year with appreciation and celebration, as the Ethiopia-Aksum Empire was one of the most powerful in African history and thus has a special place in the heart of the people of Eritrea.
Because of the presence of both Islamic and Orthodox Christian cultures within Eritrea, the holiday is celebrated by both faiths – though not simultaneously – with each celebrating according to their respective calendar systems. For Christian Eritreans, the first day of the New Year, marks a time of joy and renewal, a time for reflection and for looking to the future.
Traditions and Celebrations of Geez New Year in Eritrea
The traditional celebrations of Geez New Year in Eritrea are quite colourful and infectious. Firecrackers, loud music, and cheering accompany the holiday, which is celebrated mainly in the city of Axum. Here locals light candles at churches and give gifts, such as beautifully decorated envelopes filled with gold coins or grain, to their family members and friends, to show love, respect, and joy in the new year.
People gather in a large open-air community shape for the occasion, which is accompanied by traditional music and dances for celebration. Music, food, and drinks usually make the atmosphere more lively and ceremonial. People dress in traditional clothing such as brightly-coloured robes, caps, and jewelry.
Families and friends have feasts during the event, and the meal typically includes Injera, zigni, ensete, herb stew and different kinds of foods, as well as different kinds of sweets. After the meal, families and friends exchange wishes and hugs, and the atmosphere is always jubilant.
Geographical Spread of Geez New Year in Eritrea
Geez New Year, or Enkutatash, is most prominently celebrated in the city of Axum and surrounding areas in Ethiopia, but is also observed in other countries of the Horn of Africa, including Eritrea, and some other regions with Orthodox Christian communities of migrant populations.
Because the region is culturally and ethnically diverse, there are slight variations in the celebration of the holiday. For example, in Ethiopia, activities such as candle lighting, feasts and participation in traditional cultural events are much more common than in Eritrea. Additionally, in Eritrea, the celebration has been influenced by the local variant of the traditional Geez calendar, meaning that the day of the holiday changes from one year to the next, although it is still observed during the month of Mäskäräm.
Modern Day Observations of Geez New Year in Eritrea
Today, Geez New Year is still widely observed in Eritrea. It is common for families and friends to come together to enjoy a meal, exchange gifts, wishes and hugs. People gather in large open-air areas, listening to traditional music and enjoying feasts that include local dishes such as Injera, zigni, ensete, herb stew, and different types of sweets.
In recent years, many communities in Eritrea have begun holding Geez New Year festivals, which are more open to the public and involve more participants. These types of festivities often include performances of traditional music, dance and arts, as well as cultural programmes discussing the history and significance of this holiday.
Interesting Facts or Trivia About Geez New Year in Eritrea
1. It is the second most important holiday in the Horn of Africa.
Geez New Year, or Enkutatash, is second in importance only to Meskel, which is celebrated in September in Ethiopia.
2. The holiday dates back to King Ezana.
The current Geez calendar was introduced during the reign of King Ezana, one of Ethiopia’s most famous rulers.
3. It is celebrated in late September or early October.
Geez New Year is celebrated during the month of Mäskäräm, which falls in September or October on the traditional calendar.
4. It is a symbol of unity and peace for many.
Because of the dual presence of Islamic and Orthodox Christian cultures in the Horn of Africa, Geez New Year is seen by many as a symbol of unity and peace between the two faiths.
5. It is associated with an old saying.
The holiday is known as Enkutatash in Geez, which translates to ‘the root of treasures’, and is an old saying traditionally used to welcome the coming of a new year.
Holiday Wishes and Messages for Geez New Year in Eritrea
1. Wishing you a joyous Geez New Year!
2. Wishing you a year filled with blessings.
3. May the Lord bless you and your family with peace and joy this Geez New Year.
4. May the New Year bring you prosperity and love.
5. Wishing you a happy and blessed Geez New Year.
Holiday Quotes for Geez New Year in Eritrea
1. “May peace reign in your homes this Geez New Year.” – Unknown
2. “Let us fill our hearts with joy this Geez New Year.” – Unknown
3. “Let’s make this Geez New Year special by sharing love and joy.” – Unknown
4. “Every Geez New Year is a chance to start anew and make a fresh beginning.” – Unknown
5. “May this Geez New Year bring you hope and joy.” – Unknown
Other Popular Holiday Info for Geez New Year in Eritrea
Geez New Year is an important occasion in the Horn of Africa and is celebrated by both Eritreans and Ethiopians. It marks the start of a new year and all those who celebrate the holiday wish a safe and joyous starting for all, with prosperity and blessings for the coming year. In traditional Geez culture, gifts, such as beautifully decorated envelopes filled with gold coins or grain, are given to family members and friends to show love, respect, and joy on this day.
In recent years, Geez New Year has gained more attention as it has come to symbolize unity, and was recognized as a national holiday in Eritrea in 2019. Other countries in the Horn of Africa such as Ethiopia, Djibouti, and Somalia also recognize Geez New Year as a national holiday.
As the holiday approaches, people in the Horn of Africa and beyond come together to celebrate the occasion and bring in a new year full of promise, joy, love and friendship. Geez New Year is an important tradition that calls us to cherish the present and look forward to a better future.
Geez New Year in Eritrea Also Called
Hager Ertra, or the Eritrean National Day of Thanksgiving.
FUN FACT:
In year 2010, Geez New Year in Eritrea is celebrated on September 11 for the first time.HOLIDAY CHECK: We strive for accuracy and fairness. But if you see something that doesn't look right, please click here to contact us!