Why the Ethiopian Calendar Remains Behind- Unraveling the Time Difference and Its Historical Implications
Why is the Ethiopian calendar behind? This question has intrigued many people, especially those who are interested in history, culture, and timekeeping systems. The Ethiopian calendar, also known as the Ge’ez calendar, is one of the oldest calendars still in use today. It is 7 to 8 years behind the Gregorian calendar, which is the most widely used calendar in the world. In this article, we will explore the reasons behind this discrepancy and delve into the unique aspects of the Ethiopian calendar.
The Ethiopian calendar is based on the Julian calendar, which was introduced by Julius Caesar in 45 BCE. However, unlike the Gregorian calendar, which was reformulated in 1582 to correct the error in the Julian calendar, the Ethiopian calendar has not been adjusted to account for the accumulated discrepancy. This is primarily due to the fact that the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, which is the main religious institution in Ethiopia, has been reluctant to adopt the Gregorian calendar.
One of the main reasons why the Ethiopian calendar is behind is its calculation of the year. The Ethiopian calendar is a solar calendar, meaning it is based on the length of the solar year. However, it has a different definition of a year than the Gregorian calendar. While the Gregorian calendar defines a year as 365 days with an additional day every four years (a leap year), the Ethiopian calendar defines a year as 365 days with an additional day every four years as well. However, it does not have a leap year every 100 years, nor does it skip a leap year every 400 years, which the Gregorian calendar does. This discrepancy leads to the 7 to 8-year difference between the two calendars.
Another reason for the Ethiopian calendar’s lag is its calculation of the date of Easter. The Ethiopian Orthodox Church follows the Julian calendar for calculating the date of Easter, which is the most important Christian holiday. However, the Gregorian calendar uses the Revised Julian calendar for this purpose. As a result, the Ethiopian Orthodox Church’s calculation of Easter is 13 days behind the Gregorian calendar.
The Ethiopian calendar also has a unique approach to the beginning of the year. While the Gregorian calendar starts the year on January 1st, the Ethiopian calendar begins on September 11th according to the Gregorian calendar. This difference in the starting point of the year further contributes to the discrepancy between the two calendars.
In conclusion, the Ethiopian calendar is behind the Gregorian calendar due to a combination of its calculation methods, adherence to the Julian calendar, and the religious and cultural significance of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. Despite its lag, the Ethiopian calendar remains an important part of Ethiopia’s cultural heritage and continues to be used in various aspects of Ethiopian life. Understanding the reasons behind this discrepancy provides insight into the complexities of timekeeping systems and the influence of religion and culture on these systems.
