Go to Ethiopia and become younger than your age, the ambassador surprised the Pakistani guests
Ambassador Jemal Beker organized his country’s New Year 2015 celebration, Ethiopia’s year is longer than usual.
Ethiopia can provide tea, coffee, honey, and sunflower, Jemal Beker
Pakistan is ready to strengthen cooperation, Dr. Arshad Abbasi
Tazeen Akhtar
Ambassador of Ethiopia, H.E Jemal Beker celebrated New Ethiopian Year 2015 with Pakistani friends and colleagues from African countries. Mr. Jemal Beker is the first ambassador who took charge just two months ago when the brotherly country opened a full-fledged embassy in Islamabad.
The ambassador surprised the participants, telling them that Ethiopia’s year is longer than normal. This means that if you go to Ethiopia, you become younger than your age. The participants clapped and enjoyed his remarks a lot.
Ethiopian new year is called “Enkutatash” in the official language. It occurs on 11 September in the Gregorian Calendar; except for the year preceding a leap year, when it occurs on 13 September. The Ethiopian calendar has 12 months of 30 days plus 5 or 6 epagomenal days, which comprise the 13th month. For this reason, on Enkutatash in the year 2022 of the Gregorian calendar, it is 2015 in the Ethiopian calendar.
The Ethiopian months begin on the same days as those of the Coptic calendar, but their names are in Ge’ez. A 6th epagomenal day is added every four years, without exception, on 29 August of the Julian calendar, 6 months before the corresponding Julian leap day. Thus the first day of the Ethiopian calendar year, 1 Mäskäräm, for years between 1900 and 2099 (inclusive), is usually 11 September (Gregorian). It falls on 12 September in years before the Gregorian leap year, however.
According to InCultureParent, “Families gather to share a traditional meal of injera (flat bread) and wat (sauce). Later in the day, young girls donning new clothes, gather daisies and present friends with a bouquet, singing New Year’s songs.”
According to the Ethiopian Tourism Commission, “Enkutatash is not exclusively a religious holiday. Modern Enkutatash is also the season for exchanging formal new year greetings and cards among the urban sophisticated – in lieu of the traditional bouquet of flowers.”
The ambassador highlighted the historical, cultural, and tourist places of his country.
He said, “there are cordial relations between Ethiopia and Pakistan and we are keen to increase bilateral cooperation in all fields.”
Mr. Jemal Beker spoke highly about Pakistan and bilateral relations. He said, ” At the time of catastrophe created by the floods, the Ethiopian government and people are with Pakistan. We have great love and affection for Pakistan and same we feel from Pakistani side as I have observed and enjoyed the hospitality of Pakistani brothers.”
“Both countries have common history and bonds that are centuries old. We invite Pakistani brothers and sisters to visit our country and see how many shared things we have like traditions, culture, landscape as half of the mountains of Africa are in Ethiopia, sports, business, food, etc.”
It is worth mentioning here that Ethiopia is the land of sunflowers. The new Ethiopian year begins with the blooming of sunflowers across the country. The sunflower is a symbol of the new year.
Editor Tazeen Akhtar asked the ambassador that you have a large production of sunflowers and that means your country can produce cooking oil on a large scale.
The ambassador replied, ” Ethiopia is producing cooking oil, coffee, tea, and honey which is very delicious than any other type of honey in the world.”
“We know that there is a big market for the above-mentioned items in Pakistan. We will try our best to make connections with potential importers” the ambassador said.
The new embassy was decorated with sunflowers and other cultural and traditional pieces displayed properly. Special Ethiopian coffee and many delicious dishes were served to the guests.
Ambassador of Yemen, High Commissioner of South Africa, and Deputy Head of Missions of Kenya, Tunisia were also present. They were also invited to the dice to express their views on the new year. Yemen is a neighboring country across the Red Sea.
Dr. Arshad Abbasi, Director, Africa Desk, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Pakistan, also participated in the event. He congratulated the government and people of Ethiopia on the New Year and expressed warm feelings from the Pakistani side.
He congratulated the government and people of Ethiopia on the New Year and expressed his solidarity from the Pakistani side. He said that Pakistan attaches great importance to its relations with Ethiopia. We look forward to further strengthening bilateral cooperation with Ethiopia.
