Part 2 || Complete History of the Ethiopian Calendar --- Why does it Have 13 Months?

Why is the Ethiopian calendar 7 years behind? Why does it have 13 months instead of 12? We have all the answers! In this episode of Living Traditions on Timbuktu Tales, we delve into the story of the Ethiopian Calendar, going on an epic journey to uncover its mysteries. We trace the calendar’s surprising ancient origins and how certain old traditions have translated into modern practices. Furthermore, we highlight how the Ethiopian calendar compares to two other traditional calendar systems in Africa: The lunar calendar of the Igbo people from West Africa and the solar-lunar calendars of the Gabra people from Eastern Africa. If this is a topic that fascinates you, and you are curious about its utility, then watch on to discover the amazing story of how the Ethiopian calendar works. ---------- CHAPTERS: 0:00 – Why is Ethiopia 7 years behind? 🗓️🤯 Think you know what year it is? In Ethiopia, it’s 2018 right now. We reveal the shocking reason why… and no, it’s not a mistake. 2:45 – The Igbo 13-month lunar calendar 🌙🇳🇬 4-day weeks? Market days as timekeepers? Meet the calendar that runs on trade, spirits, and masked festivals. 5:30 – Gabra timekeepers: sun, moon & sacred days 🐫✨ Fathers bless sons with incense. Women protect camels with creeping plants. See how the Gabra blend solar, lunar, and spiritual time. 8:15 – The 7-year gap explained (same Jesus, different dates) ⛪📜 Both calendars start with Christ’s birth… so why a 7-year, 8-month difference? The Vatican vs. Alexandria debate revealed. 11:00 – Enkutatash: New Year in bright yellow 🌼🎉 September 11th (Ethiopian Meskerem 1) = blooming Adey Abeba flowers, yellow robes, and nationwide dancing. This is how you celebrate. 14:20 – 13 months? Here’s why the last month has only 5 days 🤔 Ancient Egypt. The Nile. Three seasons of 120 each. Then 5 bonus days of pure party. The real origin of Ethiopia’s “extra month.” 17:10 – From pharaohs to churches: Thoth becomes Meskerem 🏛️➡️⛪ The Coptic Church took an Egyptian solar calendar, adapted it, and missionaries carried it up the Nile to Axum. Tradition preserved for millennia. 19:30 – The Tale of Two Brothers shipwrecked in Axum ⛵👑 Frumentius & Aedesius survive a disaster, befriend a young prince, and change a kingdom’s entire time system. One of history’s wildest calendar origin stories. 21:45 – King Ezana converts & creates the Ge’ez calendar 👑✝️ From “Father of Peace” to “Revealer of Light” – how Ethiopia’s first Christian king made the 13-month calendar official for church AND state. 23:00 – Modern Ethiopia: two calendars at once 🌍🇪🇹 Flights use Gregorian. Festivals, taxes, and daily life use Ge’ez. One country, two timelines – and both work perfectly. --- 🔔 Like, share & subscribe to Timbuktu Tales for more amazing stories from Africa! #EthiopianCalendar #GeEzCalendar #13Months #Enkutatash #igbo #ethiopiannewyear #AfricanCalendars #TimbuktuTales #LivingTraditions #7YearsBehind #CalendarMystery #AfricanHistory #DidYouKnow #EducationalVideo #SubscribeNow