Melkam Adis Amet!

By Mark C. Hale





Happy New Year!

The Ethiopian calendar divides the year into 13 months, with the last month of the year lasting 5-6 days, depending on whether or not it's leap year. This allows each of the 12 months to have 30 days. So, the last month is a 5 day catch up month for the year. New Year's day for Ethiopia (Enkutatash) falls on last day of the month of Pagume, which is September 11 on the Gregorian calendar. It is celebrated similarly to the way we celebrate in the U.S., only with more of a family and stay at home feel. 
Here are two faculty children, Merherbert and Ebabe wearing traditional clothing, which is dominated by the color white. They bring a New Year's welcoming to your door on New Year's day and you're expected to give them a gift of money, which they can keep or donate to a favorite charity.



On campus. We celebrated New Year's Eve at the home of one of our Ethiopian teacher's and her family. We drank Tej, which is a local drink, and ate tibs, a cooked beef stew, along with the traditional eating of raw meat dipped in different sauces. Injura, of course, is always served. 










On New Year's Day, there is more feasting!


The international team enjoying a late lunch with our Ethiopian co-teachers on New Year's Day.


There is always a coffee ceremony at the end of the meal.
















Melkam Adis Amet to all of our friends and family's spread across the world from all of us at HMA!

(Picture taken at Melenik's Window)

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