The Ethiopian New Year falls in September (Meskerem) at the big rains. The sun comes out to shine all day long creating an atmosphere stunning clarity and fresh clean air. The highlands turns to gold as the Meskel daisies explode out in their entire magnificence. Ethiopian children dressed in brand new clothes, dance through the villages giving bouquets of flowers and painted pictures to each family. In September is both New Year’s Day and the feast of St. John the Baptist.

The day called Enkutatash of Sheba returned from her expensive trip to visit king Solomon in Jerusalem, her chief welcomed her treasury with Enku or jewels. The spring festival has been celebrated since these early times and as the rains come to their sudden end, dancing and singing can be heard at every village in green countryside. After dark on New Year eve people light fires outside their houses.