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.
This new year, known as Emkutatash, is a time for joy and gathering, with vibrant markets bustling with activity as vendors sell traditional items, including yellow 'adey ababa' flowers, which symbolize the arrival of spring.
'Adey ababa' blooms are integral to celebrations, selling for about 50 Ethiopian birr ($0.35; £0.25) and are often used in traditional coffee ceremonies, where the beans are roasted and brewed with care.
The celebrations also feature delicious dishes prepared in homes, with chickens selling in markets for between 2,000 birr ($14) to 3,000 birr, preferred by families hosting a feast of spicy doro wat served with injera.
New Year's Eve prompts a rush to complete shopping amid the rain, preparing for music and festivities that continue into the new year. The sound of traditional songs, like 'Abebayehosh', can be heard as girls sing for passers-by, expressing joy and renewal.
Orthodox Christians participate in church services later in the day, with prayers and celebrations accompanying the rich tapestry of Ethiopian culture and tradition surrounding this pivotal period.
A greater sense of unity and pride fills the air this year, coinciding with significant national events, such as the launch of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam.
As Ethiopia embraces its unique calendar and cultural richness, the community collectively celebrates not just a new year, but a period of renewal and hope.
