The Abyssinian New Year by Anol Grundset

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 9, 1913

The Abyssinian New Year

By Anol Grundset

ANOL GRUNDSET

THE Abyssinian new year began September 11, according to our calendar. When there is a leap-year, the year begins September 12. The Abyssinians count thirty days to the month, making three hundred sixty days in twelve months, so that they have an extra month. This thirteenth month is called Pagumien, and has five days, except in a leap-year, when it has six. There is also a difference of several years between their reckoning and ours. Sept. 11, 1912, according to their calendar, is New-year's, Jan. 1, 1905. But the majority of the people know very little about what year or time it is. They hold that all such knowledge belongs to the priests, from whom they are willing to receive instruction and orders. Few of the common people know even their own ages. All knowledge is supposed to be centered in the priests and teachers of the church.

The new year is opened with the feasts of St. Bartholomew and John the Baptist. For nearly a month previous the boys of the villages have been gathering dried shrubbery and sticks, which they tie together in long, oblong form, and on the evening in question they light these bundles and march through the villages carrying them and shouting, "Hoi! Hoi!" When they have finished their marching, they throw down the remains of their burning brush and begin jumping over the fire. It is a weird spectacle to see these half-naked people in their excitement jumping through the flames. It reminds one that they are not wholly separated from the jungle and the wilds, though it is all done in the name of Christianity.

The next morning everybody rises very early, and all are supposed to go through a sort of purification. All who can do so go to some body of water, where they bathe from head to foot. Those who can not go, perform this rite of purification in their homes. Later they gather at the village church, and the priest announces the feast-days for the coming year. These are too numerous to mention. The Abyssinians fast about half the year, and feast the other half.

Another very interesting thing is to see in the early morning all the people bringing their live stock—oxen, sheep, goats, donkeys, etc.—to the churchyard, to march around the church a certain number of times.

Thousands of the native people can not read. Dear reader, thank God for the open Book, the Bible, and pray that the truth-laden Word, earth's greatest and most effective disseminator of truth and remover of darkness, may find its way to Abyssinia's millions. Every year more are learning to read. Already three camel-loads of Bibles and Protestant literature have crossed the borders into Abyssinia, and two mules loaded with Galla literature have left Asmara for the land of Galla. Thus a beginning has been made, which we hope will spread mightily, that the inhabitants of this benighted land may also be included among those who "shall see the salvation of our God."