“Ethiopia is still in 2017. They’ll meet COVID in 2020” – Nigerian lady mocks Ethiopia’s 13-month calendar

A Nigerian lady, Chika Janny, has taken to social media to mock Ethiopia’s 13-month calendar which means that the country is still in 2017 while most other countries are in 2024.

The video is captioned: “Ethiopia is in 2017, 7 years behind.”

In the video, the lady’s voice can be heard saying: “Hey guys, this is Ethiopia, and they are 7 years behind every other country in the world.”

Another caption in the video reads: “They’ll encounter COVID in 2020.”

Chika appeared to be at the airport waiting for her flight to Nigeria. She soon announced that the boarding announcement for her flight had been made.

“See you guys soon in Nigeria,” she said as she stopped the video.

Shortly after the video was posted, it attracted the attention of several social media users who flooded the comment section to share their thoughts.

Instead of the Western Gregorian calendar with 12 months, Ethiopia follows a 13-month calendar, placing it seven years behind the rest of the world.

For instance, the Ethiopians welcomed the new millennium on September 11, 2007, that is approximately seven years after the rest of the world had done the same and moved on.

Ethiopia adheres to a calendar dating back to 525 AD, preceding the Roman church’s amendment.

This unique calendar is deeply intertwined with Ethiopia’s rich cultural and religious heritage.

It is believed that the 13-month system originated from the ancient Coptic calendar, which emphasises the significance of religious observances.

The Ethiopian calendar incorporates a 13th month, Pagume, which consists of five days (six in a leap year). This additional month is associated with religious festivals, harvest celebrations, and cultural events, creating a distinctive rhythm to the Ethiopian way of life. The calendar also aligns with the country’s agricultural seasons.

Educated and modern Ethiopians are familiar with the Gregorian calendar and may use both interchangeably, showcasing the harmonious coexistence of tradition and modernity in the interesting country.

See some reactions to the Ethiopian lady’s post below:

Laura: “I need to go there so that I can be 21 yrs old again.”

JEniFA: “2017 that was the year I made the mistake hunting me now so I can go there and start afresh.”

Dreal_ms_yaya: “Wow you are coming back to your future 🙆‍♀️how I fit go back 2017? I’m ready.”

S_.beauty: “Egbami oo🥺I need to correct the mistake I don do for 2022.”

Glory Augustine: “i thought she was joking until i googled it…omo. 7 whole years behind.”

Harmonyhush: “You traveled to your past now going back to the future.”

Stancy🦋💙: “Make una Dey there, world wan end next month o, how una go do now?🤣🤣🤣 Make we leave una Dey go heaven ???”

phinenji: “they are behind but its very beautiful, cold and calm.I like the ctry.”

sammysnare: “Let me just come to ethiopia i wanna retrace some of my steps.”

See the video here