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Information supplied by the Bradt Guide To Ethiopia third edition

Ethiopia is never more individual than in its keeping of time and dates. It uses the Julian calendar, which means that it is seven years and eight months 'behind' the majority of the world. The country celebrated its new millennium on 12th September 2007, their new years day.

There are thirteen months in a calendar year, 12 of 30 days each, starting on September 11, and one month of 5 or 6 days.

Time-keeping is fascinating and designed expressly to make sure the traveller misses his next bus! The Ethiopian 'clock' starts counting at sunrise, our 6am, and continues until sundown, our 6pm. Thus there are twelve day hours and twelve night hours.

If the traveller adjusts his watch in the normal way to account for his journey to Ethiopia (GMT + three hours), then, when he reads his watch as 10am, the Ethiopian will say that it is 4 o'clock. Teatime (4pm in England) is about 10 o'clock. So whatever hour you read from your watch, you either add or subtract 6 hours, whichever is easier!

However, Ethiopian Airlines will always talk in terms of world time, as will modern businesses. You just can't win!

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