How many months are in the Ethiopian calendar?

The Ethiopian calendar has 13 months: 12 months of 30 days and a short 13th month called Pagume.

Pagume is the short thirteenth Ethiopian month. It has five days in a regular year and six days in an Ethiopian leap year.

When does Ethiopian New Year start?

Ethiopian New Year begins on Meskerem 1, usually September 11 Gregorian, or September 12 before a Gregorian leap year.

Why do Ethiopian month start dates show ranges in Gregorian calendar?

The Ethiopian and Gregorian leap-year cycles do not line up exactly, so the Gregorian equivalent of an Ethiopian date can shift by one day depending on the year.

Ethiopian calendar months

The 13 Ethiopian months.

The Ethiopian calendar has twelve 30-day months and Pagume, a short thirteenth month with five days in a regular year and six days in a leap year. Use this reference with EtCal’s calendar, converter, holidays, and mobile apps.

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Month reference

Ethiopian months and Gregorian start ranges.

Gregorian dates can shift by one day because Ethiopian and Gregorian leap years do not always align. Use EtCal for the exact date in any year.

Meskeremመስከረም

Starts Sep 11/12

The first month of the Ethiopian year, associated with Enkutatash, Meskel season, renewal, and Adey Abeba flowers.

Tikimtጥቅምት

Starts Oct 11/12

A steady early-year month after the New Year and Meskel season, useful for planning school, work, and fall observances.

Hidarኅዳር

Starts Nov 10/11

A month with important Orthodox observances, including Hidar Tsion, and seasonal preparation for the winter calendar period.

Tahsasታኅሣሥ

Starts Dec 10/11

A month that leads into Genna season and contains key fixed-date Orthodox and cultural planning dates.

Tirጥር

Starts Jan 9/10

The month of Timket, one of the most visible Ethiopian Orthodox celebrations, with Gregorian equivalents in January.

Yekatitየካቲት

Starts Feb 8/9

A late-winter Ethiopian month connected with national history, Orthodox calendar movement, and preparation for spring dates.

Megabitመጋቢት

Starts Mar 10

A spring month that often carries movable Orthodox calendar context around fasting seasons and Fasika-related dates.

Miyaziaሚያዝያ

Starts Apr 9

A spring Ethiopian month where movable holidays may appear depending on Bahire Hasab calculations.

Ginbotግንቦት

Starts May 9

A late-spring month used often in Ethiopian civic and family planning, with dates matching May and early June Gregorian.

Seneሰኔ

Starts Jun 8/9

An early-summer month that can include Apostles’ Fast context and school-year planning dates.

Hamleሓምሌ

Starts Jul 8

A rainy-season month in Ethiopia, commonly used for summer travel, family events, and mid-year reminders.

Nehaseነሓሴ

Starts Aug 7

A month near the end of the Ethiopian year, often connected with Filseta season and preparation for Pagume and New Year.

Pagumeጳጉሜን

Starts Sep 6

The short thirteenth month: five days in regular years and six days in Ethiopian leap years before Meskerem 1.

Use the dates

From month names to daily planning.

EtCal connects the month reference to exact date lookup, holiday browsing, fasting seasons, and mobile reminders.

Exact date lookup

Use the interactive calendar or converter when you need the exact Gregorian equivalent for any Ethiopian date.

Holidays and fasts

Browse national, Orthodox, Muslim, monthly, and regional observances across the Ethiopian calendar year.

Mobile reminders

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