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It is that time of year again! Yes, it is back to school for most, but Ethiopian families know that September means New Years! September 11th to be exact. Yes, that is a strange day to be celebrating in the U.S. I am aware, but it falls where it falls. When the rest of the country doesn’t follow the same holiday calendar you do, you have to be flexible!
Enkutatash, meaning gift of jewels, is Ethiopian New Years Day. A great way to celebrate your families connection to Ethiopia and to share with friends and extended family.
Last year I ordered Ethiopian food and had a nice dinner with all the tradition dress that I had. This year it falls on a weekend when my Hubby has a work thing and will be gone sun up to sun down. We are having to be a bit flexible as the following weekend there is a day long celebration with dancing, food, crafts, etc. just about an hour away. Hubby and I are going to let Mita and Enu each invite a friend to spend the day with us at this celebration. We would take more, but our car stops at eight seats and I won’t do the 15-passenger van thing!
This is one of the things I love about being a Ethiopian family. We get twice the holidays and who doesn’t want to celebrate as much as they can?! Last year I made up bookmarks and laminated them for the kids to take to school to share with their classes. This year I think I may send popcorn in traditional Ethiopian baskets and a book for the classroom library. Fire on the Mountain, a book I reviewed last month, is top on the list of books to share.
In the spring I happened to search Ethiopia on Ebay (insomnia) and bought a Saba Doll. This is a doll about the fictional book Saba: Under the Hyena’s Foot written by Jane Kurtz, a book based in Ethiopia that is a great read for older kids and adults. The doll came with the book (we have checked it out of our library a lot, but never owned it) and is in perfect condition. This will be a nice family gift to mark the day.
So, as usual, we will celebrate with fun, food and books. What are your plans for Enkutatash?
I’m celebrating with 600 of my closest friends!
http://www.ethiotss.org/Enkutatash_Celebration.html
This is my second year on the planning committee–I can’t wait for the big day!
Dear paigecl,
Thats where we are going! See you there. I’ll be the one with glazed over eyes and a stressed out appearance!
Mandy
Hey Mandy
Come find me–I have short red hair, and will be extremely frazzled that day–I can’t wait to meet you!