The First Month
The First Month of the Ethiopian Liturgical Year is known as “Mesekerem.” The Amharic word “Mesekerem,” is derived from two Geeze words “Meseyae,” and “Kereme.” When we define these words separately, they give the following meanings. The first word “Meseyae” is defined as “becoming dark, evening.” And the second one is “Kereme,” meaning rain. Then, the compound word is termed as “the ending of winter.” The meaning of this month’s name is also defined as “the beginning, primary, the beginning for the whole world, the head of the winter seasons, the first month and the arrival of autumn.” (Aleka Kidan Wolde Kiflea Page 612)