The Ethiopian calendar, rooted in the Coptic Orthodox Church, differs significantly from the globally prevalent Gregorian calendar. It is based on the Alexandrian calendar, maintaining a calculation of the Annunciation of Jesus Christ placing it on March 25, 7 BC (Gregorian), a date differing from the Gregorian calendar’s March 25, 9 AD. This results in a difference of approximately seven to eight years between the two systems. The Ethiopian calendar comprises 13 months, 12 of 30 days each, and a final, short month of five or six days, depending on the leap year. Leap years occur every four years, without exception, unlike the Gregorian system’s more complex rules.
This difference has practical implications for international interactions, trade, and date synchronization. Maintaining both systems presents a challenge for Ethiopians engaging with the global community and requires careful conversion for accurate record-keeping. Historically, the distinct calendar has served as a symbol of cultural identity and independence for Ethiopia, marking its unique historical trajectory. The separate system also plays a role in religious observance and traditional practices.
