Ethiopian New Year, known as Enkutatash is one of the most joyful and colorful celebrations of the year. Observed every September, it marks the start of the Ethiopian calendar and the end of the rainy season. As the sun shines brighter, flowers bloom, and families gather, it’s a season of new beginnings, hope, and celebration.
A Dress That Tells a Story
The Habesha Kemis is more than fashion; it is history woven into fabric. Every stitch carries centuries of Ethiopian heritage, while every design reflects pride and identity. From elegant tilet patterns embroidered along the neckline and hem, to the soft white cotton that flows effortlessly, the kemis is a garment that unites generations.
Ethiopian New Year Green & Yellow Color Scheme
Yellow is tied with Adey Abeba flowers (Bidens macroptera) that bloom across the landscape at the end of the rainy season. It represents new beginnings, joy, and light. Green Symbolizes renewal & growth. Reflects Ethiopia’s lush landscapes after the rainy season.
Ethiopian New Year Festivities
At the heart of the Ethiopian New Year, Enkutatash, lies a profound celebration that beautifully intertwines food, family, fashion, and florals. As the long rainy season concludes, the landscape is transformed by a vibrant carpet of yellow Adey Abeba flowers, symbolizing a new beginning and a renewed hope for the year ahead.
Families come together to share a traditional feast, with the communal sharing of food like injera and wat serving as a powerful expression of unity and love. This is a time for generations to reconnect, with elders sharing stories and blessings for the young. The air is filled with a sense of joy and gratitude, as everyone dresses in new, brightly embroidered traditional garments (Habesha kemis), embodying the fresh start of a new calendar cycle and honoring a culture rich in heritage and vibrant traditions.
About our Shop
Modern Habesha is an Ethiopian shop in Maryland that offers custom-made traditional Ethiopian clothing, specializing in Habesha Kemis and Habesha Wedding Kabas, as well as Habesha jewelry and studio photography services.
Contact: Text 703-940-6704 to make an appointment.
Location: 4061 Powder Mill Rd Suite 400-15, Beltsville, Maryland, 20705.