Ethiopia is celebrating the start of its new year - 2018. The country has its own unique calendar, meaning it is seven years behind the Western calendar.
The yellow adey ababa blooms are associated with the celebration and are abundantly available around the capital, Addis Ababa, at this time of year. Small bunches have been selling for around 50 Ethiopian birr ($0.35; £0.25).
The seven-year gap in the calendar is due to the different calculations made by the Ethiopian Orthodox Church regarding the birth year of Jesus Christ.
The celebrations - known as Enkutatash - are a time for communities to rejoice beyond their church ties, with vendors from the countryside flocking to sell flowers and grass, which play a key role in traditional coffee ceremonies.
Markets were bustling with shoppers preparing for the festivities, displaying an assortment of chickens and sheep for celebratory meals. Chickens are the more budget-friendly choice for cooking a popular spicy dish known as doro wat. Meanwhile, sheep, decorated with colored ribbons, are available for those looking to make a grander meal, costing between 15,000 birr and 22,000 birr.
Families gather for Enkutatash meals and the week has brought a palpable sense of unity and optimism, further boosted by the recent launch of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam.
On New Year’s Eve, many attended live concerts, eagerly welcoming the new year at midnight with music and sparklers. The following day, young girls can be heard singing the traditional song Abebayehosh throughout the streets.
Church services will continue throughout the day, renewing the spirit of the New Year as communities unite in joyous celebration.
