Ethiopian Monthsየኢትዮጵያ ወራት
Ethiopia's calendar has 13 months: twelve of 30 days and a short 13th month, Pagume. Here they are in order, with their names in Amharic and English and the Gregorian dates each one covers.
A year in Ethiopia.
Thirteen months, a rhythm of their own. Turn the wheel to find the celebrations along the way.
Meskerem
30 days · 2019
Meskerem01
September 11, 2026 — October 10, 2026
| # | Amharic | English | Days | Gregorian dates (2019 E.C.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | መስከረም | Meskerem also Meskarem, Mäskäräm | 30 | Sep 11 – Oct 10, 2026This month |
| 2 | ጥቅምት | Tikimt also Tekemt, Teqemt, Tiqimt | 30 | Oct 11 – Nov 9, 2026 |
| 3 | ሕዳር | Hidar also Hedar, Khidar | 30 | Nov 10 – Dec 9, 2026 |
| 4 | ታህሳስ | Tahsas also Tahesas, Tahisas | 30 | Dec 10, 2026 – Jan 8, 2027 |
| 5 | ጥር | Tir also Ter, Tirr | 30 | Jan 9 – Feb 7, 2027 |
| 6 | የካቲት | Yekatit also Yakatit, Yekkatit | 30 | Feb 8 – Mar 9, 2027 |
| 7 | መጋቢት | Megabit also Magabit, Maggabit | 30 | Mar 10 – Apr 8, 2027 |
| 8 | ሚያዝያ | Miyazia also Miyazya, Miazia | 30 | Apr 9 – May 8, 2027 |
| 9 | ግንቦት | Ginbot also Genbot, Guenbot | 30 | May 9 – Jun 7, 2027 |
| 10 | ሰኔ | Sene also Sane, Senie | 30 | Jun 8 – Jul 7, 2027 |
| 11 | ሐምሌ | Hamle also Hamley | 30 | Jul 8 – Aug 6, 2027 |
| 12 | ነሐሴ | Nehase also Nehasse, Nahase | 30 | Aug 7 – Sep 5, 2027 |
| 13 | ጳጉሜ | Pagume also Pagumen, Paguemen | 6 | Sep 6 – Sep 11, 2027 |
The months in order
The year starts with Meskerem in September and continues through Tikimt, Hidar, Tahsas, Tir, Yekatit, Megabit, Miyazia, Ginbot, Sene, Hamle and Nehase, each 30 days long. Pagume, the 13th month, closes the year with 5 days, or 6 in a leap year.
Because every month has 30 days, an Ethiopian month always starts on the same Gregorian date from year to year, give or take a day: Meskerem 1 is September 11, or September 12 in the year before a Gregorian leap year.
Spelling the month names in English
The names come from Ge'ez and are written in the Ethiopic script, so there is no single English spelling. Tikimt is also written Tekemt or Teqemt, and Miyazia as Miyazya. The table lists the common versions so you can match the name you have.
Frequently asked questions
What are the 13 months of Ethiopia?
Meskerem (መስከረም), Tikimt (ጥቅምት), Hidar (ሕዳር), Tahsas (ታህሳስ), Tir (ጥር), Yekatit (የካቲት), Megabit (መጋቢት), Miyazia (ሚያዝያ), Ginbot (ግንቦት), Sene (ሰኔ), Hamle (ሐምሌ), Nehase (ነሐሴ) and Pagume (ጳጉሜ).
What is the first month of the Ethiopian year?
Meskerem. Meskerem 1 is Ethiopian New Year (Enkutatash), which falls on September 11, or September 12 in the year before a Gregorian leap year.
Why does Ethiopia have 13 months?
Twelve months of 30 days make 360 days, so a short 13th month, Pagume, adds the remaining 5 days (6 in a leap year) to complete the solar year.
Which Ethiopian month is it now?
The current month is highlighted in the table above. You can also see today's full Ethiopian date on the Today's Ethiopian Date page.