Ethiopian diaspora and friends of Ethiopia in Lebanon celebrate the “Unity Day”

Ethiopian diaspora and friends of Ethiopia in Lebanon celebrated the “Unity Day” on Sunday, September 6/2026, which is the 1st day of the 13th month of the Ethiopian Ge’ez calendar to nurture the unity of the country’s diversity.

Ethiopia is home to more than 130 million people and over 85 distinct ethnic groups, making it one of the most culturally and linguistically diverse nations in Africa. Moreover, rooted in the ancient Ge’ez, the Ethiopian calendar stands seven to eight years behind the Gregorian calendar and lasts for 13 months (12 months each with 30 days and the 13th - the last month of the year - with five or six days depending on whether it's a leap year), offering a unique glimpse into a different era and perspective on time.

In Ethiopia, each New Year begins on Meskerem (September) and ends in Pagumē, the last, unique and brief month with only five or six days. Each month is shaped by distinct traditions and stories that resonate deeply with the Ethiopian society. For instance, Meskerem is a month for a new beginning, a fresh start, a renewal and optimism with green landscapes at the end of the country’s rainy season. The second month, Tekemet, is a month with cooler air and a time for the harvest and gratitude as communities gather to give thanks for the blessings of the land. The year ends in Pagumē, a transitional month, which symbolizes a moment of pause and reflection before the cycle begins anew. It is a time of introspection, allowing Ethiopians to prepare mentally and spiritually for the upcoming New Year in Meskerem. It offers a quiet interlude, inviting reflection on the past year and a thoughtful welcome to the future.

The federal government uses this transition period to mobilize the public, review year-end achievements, and carry out massive nation-building initiatives with daily designations focusing on public services, performance showcases, and green development

Accordingly, the 4th day of Pagumē of the current Ethiopian fiscal year (2018), which falls on 9 September 2026, has been nationally designated as the “Unity Day” to nurture the unity of Ethiopians in diversity.

The Consulate General, due to convenience, organized a colorful event celebrating the “Unity Day” on the 6th of September 2026 in its premises in Beirut that brought Ethiopians, peoples of Ethiopian origin and friends of Ethiopia with the distinct interplay of events nurturing the diversity and unity of Ethiopians.