13 Months of Sunshine: Exploring Ethiopia’s Sacred Calendar

Ethiopia is frequently referred to as the "Land of 13 Months of Sunshine," a moniker that emphasizes its unique calendar system. In Ethiopia, time is tracked using a calendar system that is unlike any other globally, consisting of 13 months. This article explores how Ethiopia's calendar maintains a rich cultural heritage and explains why Ethiopians proudly claim to experience 13 months of sunshine annually.

The Ethiopian Calendar: Thirteen Months in a Year

The Ethiopian calendar features 13 months each year, in contrast to the Gregorian calendar's 12. How does this work? The calendar consists of 12 regular months with 30 days each, and an additional smaller 13th month known as Pagumē (also spelled Pagume). Pagumē occurs at the year's end and typically has 5 days, or 6 days in a leap year. The term “Pagumē” is derived from the Greek epagomene, meaning “added days,” which aptly describes this extra month.

Functionally, Ethiopia’s 12 main months each contain exactly 30 days, summing up to 360 days. Pagumē then contributes the remaining 5 (or 6) days to align with the solar cycle. This sophisticated system, inherited from the ancient Egyptian and Coptic calendars, ensures the Ethiopian calendar remains in sync with the seasons.

The Ethiopian new year (Meskerem 1) generally occurs around September 11 on the Gregorian calendar (or September 12 in the year following a leap year). Each of the 12 months has its own name:

• Meskerem: Sept – Oct

• Teqemt: Oct – Nov

• Hedar: Nov – Dec

• Tahsas: Dec – Jan

• Ter: Jan – Feb

• Yekatit: Feb – Mar

• Megabit: Mar – Apr

• Miyazia: Apr – May

• Ginbot: May – Jun

• Sene: Jun – Jul

• Hamle: Jul – Aug

• Nehase: Aug – Sept

• Pagume: The "extra" month of 5 or 6 days that falls in early September

  
  

Although the Ethiopian calendar has a different year number, it still follows the same 365-day (or 366-day) cycle as the Gregorian calendar, providing Ethiopians with an additional month to enjoy "sunshine."

Leap Years and the Four Evangelists Cycle

Similar to other solar calendars, the Ethiopian calendar introduces a leap year every 4 years. During leap years, an extra day is added to Pagumē, extending it to 6 days.

What’s unique is that Ethiopia names each year after one of the Four Evangelists:

1. John

2. Matthew

3. Mark

4. Luke (the leap year)

   
   

This 4-year cycle is both religious and practical, allowing people to easily predict the next leap year. For example, a John year is followed by Matthew, then Mark, and finally Luke (leap year).

This naming tradition, rooted in the Church, imparts spiritual significance to the passage of time. The Ethiopian leap year often occurs just before the Western (Gregorian) leap year, demonstrating a remarkable synchronization between the two calendars.

Saints and Holy Days: The 30 Days of an Ethiopian Month

Saints and Holy Days: The 30 Days of an Ethiopian Month

The Ethiopian calendar is closely linked to the Orthodox Church, with every day of the month dedicated to a saint or holy event. This practice originates from the Synaxarium (Amharic: Senkessar), a Church text that daily celebrates saints.

Each month repeats the same list of daily saints. For instance, the 12th of every month is dedicated to Saint Michael the Archangel. Below is a simplified list of the major commemorations for each day:

Saint Commemorations by Day

1st: Lideta (Birth of the Virgin Mary) and Saint Elijah (Elias the Prophet).

2nd: Saint Thaddaeus (often identified as St. Jude Thaddaeus, one of the Apostles).

3rd: Ba'eta Maryam, the Presentation of the Virgin Mary in the Temple.

4th: Saint Yohannis Wolde Negedguad, meaning “John, Son of Thunder” (the Apostle John, who with his brother James was nicknamed “son of thunder”).

5th: Saint Peter and Saint Paul, the Apostles, and Abune Gebre Menfes Kidus (an Ethiopian saint known as “Servant of the Holy Spirit”).

6th: Our Lady of Qusquam (commemoration of the Holy Family’s stay in Qusquam, Egypt during the Flight to Egypt).

7th: Holy Trinity Day, honoring the Holy Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit).

8th: Saint Kiros and Abba Banuda (Kiros is often identified with St. Cyriacus, and Abba Banuda is a local saint).

9th: Saint Thomas (not the Apostle Thomas, but a different saint named Thomas in Ethiopian tradition).

10th: Kidus Meskel, the Feast of the Holy Cross, commemorating St. Helena’s discovery of the True Cross.

11th: Saint Hanna and Saint Iyachim, known biblically as St. Anne and St. Joachim, the parents of the Virgin Mary, and Saint Fasiledes (Fasilides, an Ethiopian saint or emperor).

12th: Saint Michael the Archangel, Saint Samuel (prophet of the Old Testament, or an Ethiopian saint), and Saint Yared (a 6th-century Ethiopian saint credited with inventing church music).

13th: Feast of Igziabher Ab, celebrating God the Father, and Saint Raphael the Archangel.

14th: Abba (Saint) Aregawi (one of the Nine Saints who spread Christianity in Ethiopia) and Gebre Kristos (“Servant of Christ,” a title of a saint).

15th: Saint Kirkos and Saint Iyalota, who are recognized as St. Cyricus and St. Julitta – a child martyr and his mother honored together.

16th: Kidane Meheret, the Feast of the Covenant of Mercy, a special Marian commemoration of Our Lady’s intercession.

17th: Saint Estifanos (St. Stephen the first Christian martyr) and Abba Gerima (one of the Nine Saints of early Ethiopian Christianity).

18th: Saint Ewostatewos (St. Ewostathius), a 14th-century Ethiopian monk famous for defending the Sabbath – a revered national saint.

19th: Saint Gabriel the Archangel, messenger of God (monthly remembrance of Archangel Gabriel).

20th: Hinstata (Hənţsäta), commemorating the Dedication of the Church in the name of the Virgin Mary (celebrating the founding/building of a church for St. Mary).

21st: Holy Virgin Mary, Mother of God (monthly feast of St. Mary on the 21st).

22nd: Saint Deqsius (Dexios) and Archangel Uriel. Saint Deqsius, known in Ethiopian tradition as Abba Dexios or St. Ildefonso, is revered for translating the Miracles of Mary text into Ge’ez, and Archangel Uriel (called Urael in Ethiopia) is honored as one of the seven Archangels. This date also coincides with a monthly commemoration of the Annunciation – the angel Gabriel’s announcement to Mary.

23rd: Saint Georgis, i.e. St. George, the famed dragon-slaying martyr who is Ethiopia’s patron saint. The 23rd of each month is “St. George’s day,” with the major St. George holiday falling in April (Miyazia 23).

24th: Abune Tekle Haimanot (St. Tekle Haimanot), a prominent 13th-century Ethiopian saint, and the 24 Heavenly Priests (the “24 Heavenly Priests” refer to the twenty-four elders seen in the Book of Revelation – symbolically honored on the 24th).

25th: Saint Marqorios (St. Mercurius), a martyr and miracle-worker, often called Abune Merkorios in Ethiopia.

26th: Saint Thomas the Apostle, one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus (famous for encountering the resurrected Christ). Ethiopian tradition also commemorates other figures on this day – such as Abba Salama (St. Frumentius, who brought Christianity to Ethiopia), and Abune Habte Mariam – but the Apostle Thomas is the primary saint honored on the 26th.

27th: Kidus Medhane Alem, meaning “Holy Savior of the World,” a feast dedicated to Jesus Christ as Savior. Many churches in Ethiopia are named Medhane Alem for this devotion.

28th: Kidus Emmanuel, honoring Emmanuel (Immanuel) – “God with us,” another name for Christ reflecting the mystery of His Incarnation.

29th: Ba’ale Wold, the Feast of God the Son (celebrating Jesus Christ as the Son of God). Some traditions also remember Saint Lalibela, the medieval king who built the rock-hewn churches, on this day, but the primary feast is the celebration of Christ the Son.

30th: Saint Markos, St. Mark the Evangelist, author of the Gospel of Mark.

Pagumē: The Forgotten Days and New Year Transition

What about Pagumē, the brief month? Despite having only 5 or 6 days, Pagumē carries significant meaning. Ethiopians view it as a transition between years – a time for reflection, repentance, and renewal. The Church often refers to it as a "gift of extra time" to reconcile with others and prepare spiritually for the new year.

Daily services, charitable acts, and family visits are customary. The final day of Pagumē (particularly in a leap year) is regarded as a day of purification and anticipation. Many Ethiopians bathe in rivers, reminiscent of the biblical Job who was healed after five days of bathing.

In Ethiopian tradition, Pagumē is sacred time – not merely a leftover month, but a reminder that every additional moment is a divine gift.

Conclusion

The Ethiopian calendar is not just a method for recording dates; it embodies a lifestyle. Its 13 months, leap-year patterns, and daily saints guide people to live with intention, faith, and happiness. Each day is a sacred chance.

This is why Ethiopia genuinely experiences 13 months of sunshine—not merely in terms of weather, but also in spirit.