PhotoEssay: Ethiopians Mark Up Millennium Celebrations
By Dylan Quinnell
At midnight on September 12 Ethiopians the world over celebrated their new millennium. The Ethiopian calendar, the Ge’ez, is based upon the older
Alexandrian or Coptic calendar. It has 12 months of 30 days, plus 5 extra days -and every 4 years a 6th.
The Ethiopian government used the uniqueness of the event to try and raise international awareness of Ethiopia, which
had suffered through years of conflict and poverty. Projects to help the country such as the opening of reserves were
run and an attempt was made to discuss health and environmental issues.
Throughout New Zealand most of the 1032 Ethiopians living here celebrated including a party attended by over 200 people
in Auckland on Saturday 15th September. With most people dressed in the traditional white there was plenty of Ethiopian
food, music and dance as they celebrated their identity.
ENDS