Chapter Six
SECRETS OF THE ETHIOPIAN CALENDAR
Agree that looking eight years younger is not so bad, even if you are only in your fourth decade...
- What year were you born? - I once asked a journalist I knew from the local newspaper Addis Zemen (New Time). Unlike most of his colleagues, he dressed “old-fashioned”: he wore white trousers, similar to breeches, and a white shamma cape made of thin cotton fabric.
- In one thousand nine hundred and thirty-four.
- So we are the same age. You, too, have crossed the age of Christ...And your outfit, by the way, makes you look very young.
- That's probably why I prefer to wear National Costume, - he smiled. - And you were wrong about my age. I'm still only twenty-seven.
- It’s strange... Apparently, in your “New Time” they count time in a new way...
However, this pun did not go over: my “one-year-old” spoke quite seriously. He's really twenty-seven. And in all this confusion, as it turned out, the “culprit” turned out to be... the Ethiopian calendar, which currently lags behind the European calendar by 7 years, 8 months and 11 days. How did this happen?..
Quite a few luminaries of the church have worked to calculate the time that has passed since the “creation of the world.” But despite the fact that in their “research” they used the same source - the Bible, the theologians did not come to a common opinion. After them, at least two hundred versions remained.
According to the Byzantine clergy, the “creation of the world” refers, if we use modern chronology, to 5508 BC. The Alexandrian (Coptic) Church, which dominated Ethiopia until I959, believes that Byzantium, and after it all of Europe, apparently was always in a hurry to live, since “in reality” the world was created eight years later!.. This difference remained even after Ethiopia, following all Christian countries, began to calculate time from the “Nativity of Christ.” Therefore, our year 1969 (from January 1 to September 10) is part of the Ethiopian year 1961. But... On September 11, or the first day of the month of Meskerem, Ethiopia celebrated the beginning of its new year, 1962.
And again the mystery: why September 11? The chronology provides a comprehensive explanation in this regard as well. But for now, in order not to “break away from reality” and not lose connections with today, let’s ask the science of time to wait a little.
As the black night shrouded the city and the streets running through the hills lit up with the lights of electric lamps, the sky of Addis Ababa lit up with flashes of fireworks. Almost until the morning, here and there they exploded the darkness, causing delight not only among pyrotechnics lovers... Mohammed, our “zebennya,” that is, the watchman, at the sound of each shot, he smacked his lips, then shook his head, then raised his hands up, extending them, apparently, to the throne of the Most High.
Ababul's janitor appeared with a bunch of long eucalyptus branches. To everyone’s delight, since our entire supply of sparklers had already been depleted, he set fire to his “broom” and, like a torch, began to draw the darkness. The humid air was immediately filled with a pleasant smell.
“On New Year’s Eve we burn chibo to make the holiday brighter,” he explained.
Until dawn, the popping of firecrackers, barking dogs and monotonous rhythmic singing did not cease, coming from, perhaps, every yard. This was on the night of September 11th. Addis Ababa greeted its New Year, exactly at six in the morning (it is at this hour that a new day and a new date in the calendar begin in Ethiopia).
The city probably never went to sleep: crowds of people dressed in all white were already moving along the streets, which had not yet dried out from the predawn rain. (Ethiopians love this color). The ringing of church bells called for a solemn service.
At the entrance to the temples there are lines of cars and bicycles. Mules and horses stand at a distance. Residents of village tukuls arrived in the capital on them. I say rural, because even in the capital itself, on the outskirts, these twig huts with a cone-shaped thatch roof are still often found.
It is especially crowded near the Church of St. Raguel, which is located in the “Markata” area. The dirty entrances to this unremarkable church after the rain are guarded by police and soldiers. Here, according to tradition, the emperor himself is present with his entire retinue.
As soon as the service ended - it took place in the courtyard - the emperor's chair was raised up and carried around the temple to the enthusiastic cheers of the crowd, similar to our hooting. Everyone who could join the motorcade hurried after. The procession completes the circle. The Emperor, having said goodbye to the clergy, gets into the car and drives out of the gate to the fireworks of the soldiers standing along the church fence. A crowd of people in white, and along with everyone else - beggars distorted by leprosy, immediately rush to the church.
There is a priest standing on the porch. Crowding each other, the believers frantically rush to kiss the wooden cross in his hands. Then - the most unexpected thing. A group of clergy appears under the church vaults. One of them has a big drum. They stand in a circle and begin to sing and dance to the rhythmic thuds. And all this at the foot of a huge crucifix...
Addis Ababa rejoiced all day. Improvised markets with the obligatory cage-baskets for poultry and small flocks of sheep gathered on the streets.
The buyer, having chosen a ram, grabs it by the front legs and drags it somewhere. Probably straight for barbecue... Freshly flayed skins and fresh carcasses are also sold here.
Groups of teenagers (some of them always have a small tom-tom) go from house to house, sing a monotonous song at the gate “Ababaye hoyi, Meskerem tabaye!..” - and wait for the kind owner to bring them a gift. “Be happy, Meskerem has come!..”
They say that everything on earth is afraid of time, and time is afraid of... no, not the Egyptian pyramids. I would say - the “Sacred Nile”, on the banks of which these stone guardians of history were erected. The Nile gave birth not only to one of the most ancient civilizations, but also itself... Time.
The fact is that the flood of this river, which coincided with the first rising of the star Sothis (Sirius) and the solstice, anticipated the beginning of the cycle of agricultural work of the Egyptians. The period from one Nile flood to another became their unit of time. For thousands of years, the Egyptian year was divided into 12 months of 30 days each. The twelfth month was followed by another, consisting of... 5 days dedicated to the memory of the dead and repentance of sins.
In 25 AD Alexandria calendar ancient egypt was reformed. Once every four years, one more day was added to these 5 additional days, or the “thirteenth month”. The year began on August 29, or - according to the Gregorian style - September 11.
Coptic Christians use the Alexandrian calendar modern Egypt. He is also the official celebrant of the Ethiopian Church and State. This, by the way, is why Ethiopia is often called the “land of thirteen months.” The last, thirteenth month - “pagumen” in a leap year consists of 6 days, so the next Ethiopian year begins not on the 11th, but on the 12th of September; in both cases it is always the 1st day of the month called Meskerem, a kind of Ethiopian January.
With the start of meskerem, the inhabitants of the Abyssinian Highlands associate the approaching end of the “big rains” that feed the waters of the Nile, and, as in Egypt, the beginning of their agricultural year. Can we not then say that the Nile is the progenitor of Time, which still connects modern Ethiopia with the “Land of the Pyramids” in such an original way?
The New Year's edition of the Ethiopian Herald newspaper came out with a peculiar drawing on the front page: in the light of the rays of the setting sun, Saint Mark, bald, but with long beard, old man. Around his head, as expected, is a halo. IN right hand- feather. The “divinely inspired book” is open on his knees. Smiling, he looks into the “heaven”, where the ray of the “holy gospel” breaks through the cloud...
It turns out that the new Ethiopian year of 1962 is considered the Year of St. Mark, in honor of one of the four authors of the Gospels included in the body of Christian “sacred writings” - New Testament. The past I96I was the year of St. Matthew. And 1963rd will be named in honor of St. Luke (St. Luke's years are always leap years). Then it will be the turn of St. John. And then - “everything will repeat itself again from the beginning.”
The Ethiopian New Year is a complex holiday also because at its end, on the last day of the pagumen - September 10th (11th - in the Ethiopian leap year), Christians celebrate the day of Kydus Yohannes, that is, John the Baptist, who here seems to the role of the local “Santa Claus” is assigned. As for the Snow Maiden, the Ethiopian calendar did not provide for it. Ethiopians do not have Christmas tree. Instead, there are long-leaved branches of zembeba, similar to palm trees. They are given to each other on First Meskerem.
On their New Year, Ethiopians say “Welcome, Enkutatash!” What does this word mean?
The legend says that when the Queen of Sheba returned from Jerusalem after her “state” visit to King Solomon, whom, as the Bible testifies, she generously endowed, the subjects of the country of Sheba greeted the queen with gifts and exclamations of “Enkutatash!”, which means “Yes.” your wealth will increase!”
The main wealth of the Queen of Sheba was her son Menelik, born from King Solomon and who laid the foundation for the now thriving imperial dynasty. And the greeting word “Enkutatash!” Ethiopians are happy to exchange, especially on their New Year, when we also want to wish: may your wealth increase, Ethiopia! - from year to year, “from Kydus Johannes to Kydus Johannes,” as the inhabitants of this biblical country say.
(Continuation - “Mescal - the Feast of the Cross and Spring.” Chapter 7)
Abyssinia is a term that has been widely used for centuries since the 150s BC as a geographical expression of Aksumite culture. Initially the name sounded like Habesha, but language features foreign traders gradually Latinized the word, simplifying it for themselves.
Geography
Abyssinia is one of the borders of which is characterized by the lack of direct access to the sea. Almost 100 million people live in a small area about the size of France.
Some of the lowest life expectancy rates in the world are recorded here. According to reports, women can live about 50 years, and men about 48 years.
The location of the lowest point on Earth is 116 meters below sea level, in the Danakil Depression. Dalol is one of the only lava lakes in the world, and it is the hottest place on the planet.
Abyssinia is the birthplace of the Blue Nile, which together with the White Nile makes up the world's longest river, the Nile.
Religion
The country of Abyssinia is one of the oldest civilizations of the era Ancient world. The power of the Orthodox state extended far beyond the city of Axum. He formed the basis Christian culture Northern Ethiopia and Eritrea.
The Tewahedo, or Ethiopian Orthodox Church, is one of the oldest forms of Christianity in the world, a religion originating from Egypt. Around 330 AD e. Frumentius, the Apostle of Ethiopia, appealed to the Aksumite king Ezana, who made Christianity the official religion of the empire. Today, 35% of Ethiopians profess Christianity.
The main languages of Ethiopia also indicate the presence of Judaism in the country. The presence of a number of words associated with religion - devil, idol, Easter, cleansing, alms - is clearly not Jewish origin. These words had to flow directly from a Jewish church source. In total, there are more than 200 languages in the country.
Around the 9th century, Christian Abyssinia began to decline and break up into separate principalities. The reason for this was the blossoming religion of Islam, penetrating the territory of the African Highlands. During the first pilgrimage of the companions of the Prophet Muhammad, the king provided them with land to settle in the Kingdom of Aksumite. They were concentrated in the central part of modern Ethiopia. Abyssinia was the first country to adopt Islam as a religion in the past, and sheltered the Prophet Muhammad, his family and followers when they were persecuted and killed by pagan Arabs. Today 45% of the population is Muslim.
Policy
Over the centuries, the country's politics have undergone many changes. Abyssinia is now called Ethiopia. After the revolution, since 1987 it has been the People's Democratic Republic. It is the only country in Africa that was never officially colonized, but had to defeat the Italians twice to remain independent.
The emperors ruled the country of Abyssinia until 1974, local residents claim that they were descendants of King Solomon of the Bible and Makeda (Queen of Sheba). became the last Ethiopian emperor.
The first internationally recognized African female head of state was Queen Zewditu of Ethiopia. The Empress reigned from 1916 to 1930.
Traditions
Abyssinia is the birthplace of a special “coffee ceremony”. The beans are roasted on site, ground and brewed. It is served in several ceramic cups without handles, in which the coffee is for one good sip, but according to tradition, it is drunk slowly, enjoying intimate conversations. When the beans are roasted until smoked, they are passed around, the smoke from them becoming a blessing to visitors. They offer puffed corn with coffee.
Coffee was first discovered by an Ethiopian shepherd named Kaldi while tending goats in the Koffa region. Today, every third person drinks coffee at least once a day.
Injera is a pancake-like flatbread made from Teff grains and an integral part of traditional meat and vegetable dishes. Raw meat is considered a delicacy. A variety of hot sauces saturate its taste, and spices act as an excellent marinade.
Traditionally, Ethiopian parents and children do not have common surname. Most children take their father's name as their surname.
Architecture and Agriculture
Rural houses built primarily from stone and mud, the most readily available resources in the area. They blend easily with the surrounding nature.
Architectural remains include carved steles, vast palaces and ancient temples that are still used and preserved by the people of Ethiopia. In the temples built on the hills, main events are still held today. holiday events, where people from villages gather and sing all around, making a religious procession.
The earliest example of tool use by human ancestors has been traced to Ethiopia.
The fertile soils of the northern part of the African continent and temperate climate are suitable for growing grain crops such as teff, wheat, maize and durro.
Agriculture is developed in Habesha; the land is plowed the old fashioned way, using oxen. The Ethiopians were the first to domesticate wild camels, donkeys and sheep. Orthodox Church is an integral part of culture.
A few more facts
The Ethiopian calendar has 13 months and is 7 or 8 years behind the Western calendar. The 13th month has only five days, or six in a leap year.
Ethiopian distance runner Abebe Bikila was the first black African to win the gold medal in the Olympic Marathon in 1960, and he ran the race barefoot. He won the race again in Tokyo four years later and became the first man to win the race twice, setting a world record.
The ancient skeleton, named Lucy, is a major archaeological find. This fossil of a human, believed to have lived more than 3 million years ago, was found in 1974 in the Great Rift Valley in Ethiopia. She was named after the song The Beatles Lucy In The Sky with Diamonds, which was playing on the radio at the time she was found. Even older remains were found in Hadar in 2001. Dating back more than 5 million years, they are the earliest known ancestors of modern humans.
One local resident came up with a dangerous entertainment for tourists right in the backyard of his house. Almost every night he feeds raw meat wild hyenas. The entertainment has become very popular and extreme. Anyone can treat a flock of predatory animals directly from their hands.
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brief information
Ethiopia is home to approximately 80 different nationalities, as well as many religious and language groups people, which speaks of the very colorful character of this country. Ethiopia is a combination of poverty and wealth, urbanization and nature. In this country you can see rock temples, the largest African market, unique nature and no less unique wildlife.
Geography
Ethiopia is located in East Africa. It borders on Eritrea to the north, Djibouti and Somalia to the east, Sudan and South Sudan to the west, and Kenya to the south. There is no access to the sea. total area of this state – 1,104,300 sq. km., and the total length of the state border is 5,328 km.
Most of Ethiopia is located in the Horn of Africa, which is the easternmost part of the African continent. The territory of this African country is very diverse - there are not only lowlands, steppes, deserts and semi-deserts, but also mountains and tropical forests. In general, about 70% of the country's territory is occupied by the Ethiopian Highlands. The highest local peak is Mount Ras Dashen, whose height reaches 4,620 meters.
Capital of Ethiopia
Addis Ababa is the capital of Ethiopia. The population of this city is now more than 3 million people. Addis Ababa was founded in 1886 by Ethiopian Emperor Menelik II.
Official language of Ethiopia
The official language is Amharic, which belongs to the Ethiopian group of the South Semitic branch of the Semitic language family.
Religion
About 62 inhabitants are Christians (Ethiopian Eastern Christian church and Protestants), about 32% are Muslim, and about 2.6% consider themselves adherents of traditional African religious cults.
State structure
According to the 1995 Constitution, Ethiopia is a federal democratic republic led by a President elected for a 6-year term.
The bicameral Ethiopian parliament is called the Federal Parliamentary Assembly, it consists of the Federation Council (110 people) and the People's Representative Council (547 deputies).
The main political parties are the Ethiopian Peoples' Revolutionary Democratic Front, the Somali Democratic Party and the Benishangul-Gumuz Peoples' Democratic Party.
Administratively, the country is divided into 9 states and two self-governing cities (Addis Ababa and Dire Dawa).
Climate and weather
Ethiopia has three climate zones, depending on altitude. The highlands are cooler, and the lowlands are hot. Kolla (tropical zone) - average annual air temperature is +27C, and average annual precipitation is 510 mm. Woina dega (subtropical zone) - average annual air temperature is +22C, and average annual precipitation is from 510 to 1,530 mm. Dega (cold zone) – average annual air temperature is +16C, and average annual precipitation is 1,270 mm.
The rainy season begins in June and ends in September. The dry season is from October to May (this is best time to visit Ethiopia).
Rivers and lakes
The deepest Ethiopian rivers flow in the west of the country. This is, first of all, the Blue Nile River, whose length reaches 1,600 kilometers. To the north is Lake Tana, which is the source of the Blue Nile.
Culture
More than 80 people live in Ethiopia ethnic groups people, each of whom has their own own language, culture and traditions. In this country, men and women have clearly defined roles in society. Traditionally, men are responsible for representing the family outside the home, while women are responsible for the entire homework and for the children.
Ethiopian parents are often stricter with their daughters than with their sons. In general, men have more freedom than women. However, over time, the roles of men and women, even in such traditional society how Ethiopian is gradually changing.
In Ethiopia you can still find tribes who do not wear any clothes at all. People in these tribes simply decorate their bodies with tattoos.
Kitchen
Ethiopian cuisine is unique even in Africa; it developed in isolation from the culinary traditions of other African countries. It should be noted that Ethiopians do not eat pork for religious reasons.
A traditional Ethiopian dish is "wat", which is a hot, spicy stew with a lot of thin pancake(flatbread) “injera”. There are many varieties of wat (with chicken, lamb, beef, vegetables, lentils, peas). This dish is often served with hot spices called "berbere".
Berbere is made from dried hot red peppers, herbs, spices, dried onions, garlic and salt. Usually "wat" is placed on "berbere". This dish, like many others, is eaten by Ethiopians with their hands.
We also recommend trying “Asa wat” (fish stew), “Doro wat” (chicken stew), “Enkulal” (omelet with peppers and tomatoes), “Kai wat” (very spicy beef, or goat or lamb), “Messer” "(lentil curry), "Shiro" (chickpea puree), "Tere sega" (raw meat, considered a delicacy), "Tibs" (fried lamb with garlic and vegetables).
Traditional without alcoholic drink– “bunna” (coffee) The preparation of “bunna” in Ethiopia is very unique, and therefore this process is called “coffee ceremony”.
Traditional alcoholic drinks are tella (Ethiopian barley beer), tej (an alcoholic drink based on honey fermentation) and kaitaka (a strong alcoholic grain drink).
Sights of Ethiopia
Ethiopia has many interesting attractions. You can even say that a journey to a particular attraction is even more interesting than it itself.
In Addis Ababa we recommend visiting National Museum, where presented huge collection objects telling about the centuries-old history of Ethiopia. Also, do not forget to see in the Ethiopian capital the largest African market “Merkato”, the palace of Emperor Menelik II, the Archaeological Museum and the Coptic Temple of St. George, built in 1896 in honor of the victory over the Italian colonialists.
Of great interest to tourists medieval city Lalibela, in which 11 rock temples have survived to this day.
In the north of the country there is a huge granite Aksum obelisk, built in the 3rd century AD. Its weight is 160 tons. At the end of the 1930s, the Italians took this historical monument from Ethiopia, and returned it only at the beginning of the 20th century.
Cities and resorts
The largest cities are Addis Ababa (more than 3 million people), Dire Dawa (more than 355 thousand people), Nazaret (more than 300 thousand people), Gondar (250 thousand people) and Mekele (220 thousand people) .
Most tourists come to Ethiopia to see the sights of this country, look at its cities, and get acquainted with the customs local residents and with the unique local nature.
Souvenirs/shopping
As souvenirs from Ethiopia they bring handicrafts, embroidered soft toys (most often rhinoceroses and camels), traditional Ethiopian knives with leather sheaths, Jewelry, Ethiopian coffee beans.
Office hours
Banks:
Mon-Thu: 08:00-15:00
Fri: 08:00-11:00 and 13:30-15:00
Sat: 08:30-11:00
The shops:
Mon-Fri: 08:00-13:00 and 14:00-20:00
Sat: 09:00-13:00, 15:00-19:00
Visa
Countries where the coming year is not 2018
What is the year now? The question is not as simple as it might seem. Everything is relative. People created calendars to measure the passage of time. But time is ephemeral, it cannot be caught, and the starting point cannot be marked. This is where the difficulty begins. How to find the beginning? What can you count on? And with what steps?
2018 in Russia.
Most countries in the world live according to the Gregorian calendar. Including Russia. It was introduced by Pope Gregory XIII to replace the Julian calendar. The difference between these two calendars today is 13 days, and it increases by 3 days every 400 years. That is why there is such a holiday as the Old New Year: it is the New Year according to Julian calendar, and some countries still celebrate it.
The Gregorian calendar was introduced in 1582 in Catholic countries, and it was gradually spread to other countries.
2561 in Thailand.
In Thailand, 2018 will be the year 2561. Thailand officially lives according to Buddhist lunar calendar, in which the chronology begins from the moment when the Buddha achieved nirvana.
However, they also use the Gregorian calendar.
2011 in Ethiopia.
The Ethiopian calendar is 8 years younger than the regular calendar. Moreover, it has 13 months in a year. 12 months have 30 days and the last one is very short, only 5 or 6 days depending on whether it is leap year or not. In addition, their new day begins not at midnight, but at dawn. The Ethiopian calendar is based on ancient calendar Alexandria.
5778 in Israel.
The Hebrew calendar is officially used in Israel along with the Gregorian calendar. All Jewish holidays, memorial days and birthdays of relatives are celebrated in accordance with the first. Months start with new moon, and the first day of the year (Rosh Hashanah) can only be Monday, Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday. Therefore, to make this all work, the previous year is extended by one day.
The Jewish calendar takes its chronology from the very first new moon, which took place on October 7, 3761 BC.
1439 in Pakistan.
The Islamic calendar is used to determine dates religious holidays and as the official calendar in some Muslim countries. The chronology begins with the Hijra, the first emigration of Muslims to Medina (622 AD).
The day here begins at sunset, not at midnight. The beginning of the month is the day when the crescent moon first appears after the new moon. The length of the year in the Islamic calendar is 10-11 days less than the solar year.
1396 in Iran.
The Persian calendar, or solar Hijri calendar, is the official calendar in Iran and Afghanistan. This astronomical solar calendar was created by a group of astronomers including famous poet Omar Khayyam.
The chronology begins with the Hijri just like the Islamic calendar, but it is also based on the solar year, so the months remain in the same seasons. The week starts on Saturday and ends on Friday.
1939 in India.
The unified national calendar of India was created not so long ago and was introduced in 1957. It is based on calculations from the Saka era, an ancient chronology widely used in India and Cambodia.
There are other calendars used in India different peoples and tribes. Some begin the chronology from the date of Krishna's death (3102 BC); others date from Vikram's rise to power in 57; the third group, according to the Buddhist calendar, begins the chronology from the date of death of Gautama Buddha (543 AD).
30 years in Japan.
In Japan, there are 2 existing chronologies: one that begins with the birth of Christ and the traditional one. The latter is based on the reign of the Japanese emperors. Each emperor gives a name to his period: the motto of his reign.
Since 1989, there has been an "era of peace and tranquility" and the throne belongs to Emperor Akihito. The previous era - the Enlightened World - lasted 64 years. Most official documents use 2 dates: one according to the Gregorian calendar and one according to the current era in Japan.
4716 in China.
The Chinese calendar is used in Cambodia, Mongolia, Vietnam and others Asian countries. The chronology begins with the date when Emperor Huangdi began his reign in 2637 BC.
The calendar is cyclical and is based on the astronomical cycles of Jupiter. Over the course of 60 years, Jupiter circles the Sun 5 times, and these are 5 elements Chinese calendar. One circle of Jupiter around the Sun takes 12 years, and these years get their names from animals. 2018 (Gregorian) will be the Year of the Dog.
107 in North Korea.
The Juche calendar has been used in North Korea since July 8, 1997, along with the chronology of the birth of Christ. Countdown - 1912, the year of birth of Kim Il Sung, the founder North Korea and the eternal president of the country. His year of birth is year 1; There is no year 0 in this calendar.
Both calendars are used when writing dates. The Gregorian calendar year is written in parentheses next to the year according to the Juche calendar.
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