Which Country Follows a Calendar With 13 Months?
Which country follows a calendar with 13 months? Know why Ethiopia uses a 13-month calendar, the name of its extra month, the number of days and how its calendar differs from the Gregorian calendar.
Ethiopia is known for following a calendar with 13 months. The Ethiopian calendar has 12 months of 30 days each and a short 13th month called Pagume. Keep reading to know in detail.
How many months does Ethiopia calendar has?
The first 12 months have 30 days each. The 13th month has five days in a regular year and six days in a leap year. The Ethiopian calendar is about seven to eight years behind the Gregorian calendar. The Ethiopian New Year usually begins on 11 September, or 12 September in certain years.
Which Country Has 13 Months in a Year?
Ethiopia is the answer. The country follows the Ethiopian calendar also known as the Ge’ez calendar. The first 12 months contain 30 days each. The final month is called Pagume. Pagume has five days in a regular year and six days in a leap year.
What Is the Name of the 13th Month in Ethiopia?
The 13th month of the Ethiopian calendar is called Pagume. It comes after the 12th month, Nehase. It has five days in a regular year. It has six days in a leap year.
What Are the 13 Months of the Ethiopian Calendar?
The Ethiopian calendar has 13 months, with the last month being much shorter than the others.
| No. | Month Name | Number of Days |
| 1 | Meskerem | 30 |
| 2 | Tikimt | 30 |
| 3 | Hidar | 30 |
| 4 | Tahsas | 30 |
| 5 | Tir | 30 |
| 6 | Yekatit | 30 |
| 7 | Megabit | 30 |
| 8 | Miazia | 30 |
| 9 | Ginbot | 30 |
| 10 | Sene | 30 |
| 11 | Hamle | 30 |
| 12 | Nehasé | 30 |
| 13 | Pagume | 5 or 6 (in leap years) |
Why Does Ethiopia Have 13 Months?
The Ethiopian calendar follows a different system for dividing the year into months. It divides the first 360 days into 12 equal months. Each of these months has exactly 30 days. The remaining five days are placed in Pagume.
How Is the Ethiopian Calendar Different From the Gregorian Calendar?
The Gregorian calendar is used in most countries for everyday dates and international activities. Ethiopia uses its own calendar system for official civil purposes.
| Feature | Ethiopian Calendar | Gregorian Calendar |
| Number of months | 13 | 12 |
| Regular month length | 30 days for the first 12 months | Usually 30 or 31 days |
| Final month | Pagume | December is the 12th month |
| Days in a regular year | 365 | 365 |
| Days in a leap year | 366 | 366 |
| New Year | Usually 11 September | 1 January |
When Is Ethiopian New Year Celebrated?
Ethiopian New Year is called Enkutatash. It usually falls on 11 September in the Gregorian calendar. In certain years, it falls on 12 September. It marks the beginning of a new year in Ethiopia.
Jasreet Kaur is a journalist with over 3 years of experience in digital media and news content creation. She specializes in covering Trending News, including major National and International developments, with a focus on delivering accurate, engaging, and reader-friendly stories. Prior to this, she worked with Zee News as a Content Writer, where she gained extensive experience in news reporting and content strategy. Driven by curiosity, credibility, and a passion for impactful journalism, Jasreet aims to contribute to informed public discourse while supporting positive growth in organizations, society, and the world.