The Sunday Mail
ETHIOPIANS must consider themselves very special and extraordinary in comparison and contrast to everyone else.
Ibo Foroma
Relatively everything theirs is just unique.
Throughout history they were never colonised, their civilisation and lifestyle is original, pure and orthodox.
The Ethiopian calendar is the principal calendar used as the liturgical calendar for Christians in Eritrea, Egypt and Ethiopia belonging to the Orthodox Tewahedo churches, Eastern Catholic Church and Coptic Orthodox Church.
It is a solar calendar which in turn derives from the Egyptian calendar, but like the Julian calendar, it adds a leap day every four years without exception, and begins the year on August 29 or August 30 in the Julian calendar.
A seven to eight year gap between the Ethiopian and Gregorian calendars results from an alternate calculation in determining the date of the Annunciation of Jesus.
Like the Coptic calendar, the Ethiopian calendar has twelve months of 30 days plus five or six epagomenal days, which comprise a thirteenth month.
The Ethiopian months begin on the same days as those of the Coptic calendar, but their names are in Ge’ez. The sixth epagomenal day is added every four years without exception on August 29 of the Julian calendar, six months before the Julian leap day.
Thus the first day of the Ethiopian year, 1 Maskaram, for years between 1900 and 2099 (inclusive), is usually September 11 (Gregorian). It however falls on September 12 in years before the Gregorian leap year.
The Ethiopian calendar is based on the Coptic calendar, which was fixed to the Julian calendar in 25 BC by Emperor Augustus of Rome with a start date of August 29, thus establishing the New Year on this day.
The date marks the approximate end of the rainy season in the Northern Hemisphere or the end of winter and the beginning of spring in the Southern Hemisphere.
In contrast to the dubious western New Year, the “Enkutatash” coincides with the actual beginning of feasible natural annual events. The Western year, like the days, begins mid night.
In Ethiopia, the day begins after sunset, soon after the other day has come to an end. A day does not begin or end mid-night. Why, are we wizards and witches?
Neither does the year begin mid-season and actually mid-year. On the first of January, the rainy season (Southern Hemisphere) is already midway.
The Enkutatash is traditionally regarded as the exact time when the Queen of Sheba, Kantake Makeda, returned to Ethiopia from her visit to the King of Israel, Solomon, in Jerusalem 980 BC.
Enkutatash means “gift of jewels” in the Amharic Language. The name originates from nearly 3000 years ago when the Queen of Sheba, ancient Ethiopia including Yemen and a host of other territories, was returning from a trip to visit King Solomon of Israel in Jerusalem as mentioned in the Bible in 1 Kings 10 and II Chronicles 9.
She had gifted Solomon with 120 talents of gold (4.5 tons in modern terms) as well as a large amount of unique spices and jewels. If she had managed to give the Wise King 4.5 tons of gold, let us just imagine how much more spices and plain jewels in tons had she surrendered to the wisest King ever.
When the Queen returned to Ethiopia her Rases (Chiefs) welcomed her with enku or jewels to replenish her treasury.
In Ethiopia, September 11 is both New Year’s Day and the feast of any one of the four saints namely Matthew, Mark, Luke and John in the same order with John occupying leap years.
Rastafari children all over the globe with special reference to the Nyabinghi Theocratic Government chant praises unto King Alpha and Queen Omega. The drums of Nyabinghi tear from beatings.
Judgements upon Rahab and Babylon are poured ceaselessly. The mark of the beast is endlessly condemned from manifesting and touching the anointed chosen few of Jah flock.
Everyone knows the famous September 11 of 2002 or 9/11. Such is what we refer to as Babylon System and it falls every time we chant fire upon it.
From one Sabbath to the next, covering all seven days and seven nights internationally brothers and sister; Kings and Queens, chant endless praises to the Almighty Jah Rastafari, King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Conquering Lion of the tribe of Judah.
Empress Wayzaro Menen is not to be forgotten. Queen of Queens and Lady of Ladies, she is once again Conquering Lioness of Judah. Both God and Goddess receive endless praises for blessing creation and life forever more.
In light of which we call upon all females from all over the territory. The Movement of Jah people and the Ras Tafari Empire is in severe short supply of females; Princesses, Queens and Empresses.
In order to balance the equation; ladies and girls, we invite you to attend and experience this once in a life time opportunity.
Happy New Year!
(references-www.nairaland.com,www.repository.unica.org,www.thedrinkbrooklyn.com).
