Ethiopian New Year (Enkutatash)

The Ethiopian New Year falls in September at the big rains. The sun comes out to shine all day long creating an atmosphere of dazzling clarity and fresh clean air. The highlands turns to gold as the Meskal daisies burst out in their entire splendor. Ethiopia children –clad in brand new clothes dance through the villages giving bouquets of flowers and painted pictures to each household.
Enkutatash is not exclusively a religious holiday and the little girls singing and dancing in pretty new dresses among the flowers in fields convey the message of spring –time and renewed life. Enkutatash is also the reason for exchanging New Year greetings and cards among the urban sophisticated –in lieu of the traditional bouquet of flower.