Malaysian Embassy in Addis Ababa Hosts Ethiopian Delegation Ahead of Ethiopian New Year

ETHIOPIA, Sept 10 – The Embassy of Malaysia in Addis Ababa welcomed a high-level Ethiopian delegation on Tuesday for a courtesy visit, highlighting positive bilateral engagement ahead of Enkutatash, the Ethiopian New Year. According to an official statement provided to Bernama, the delegation comprised representatives from various Ethiopian government entities, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Tourism, the Ministry of Culture and Sport, and the Ethiopian News Agency.

Representing the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Amha Hailegeorgis conveyed official New Year greetings to the Malaysian diplomatic mission, noting that “the visit reflects the mutual respect that continues to underpin relations between the two countries.” Malaysia’s Chargé d’Affaires Mohd Afandi Abu Bakar thanked the delegation for the visit while extending his best wishes to Ethiopians at home and abroad for a peaceful and prosperous Ethiopian New Year 2019, describing the occasion as a reflection of the warm friendship established between the two nations over the past year.

The courtesy call was highlighted by a vibrant exchange of cultural traditions. The Ethiopian delegation showcased traditional Abebayehosh singing, kebero drum performances, and presented yellow Adey Abeba flowers, with performers dressed in traditional Habesha kemis attire. The Malaysian embassy reciprocated by hosting a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony alongside freshly prepared anababero, alongside Malaysian culinary favorites such as kuih kasturi and pulut kuning serunding. The signature yellow hue of the pulut kuning was intentionally selected to mirror the Adey Abeba flower, honoring the holiday’s central themes of renewal and new beginnings.

The visit comes almost exactly a year after Malaysia’s first diplomatic team arrived in Addis Ababa to reopen the embassy, capping twelve months of steadily expanding diplomatic ties between both nations. Enkutatash falls on September 11 under the Ethiopian calendar, which comprises 13 months and runs approximately seven to eight years behind the Gregorian calendar, with this year’s celebrations marking the official arrival of the Ethiopian year 2019.

–NMT