Enkutatash is often said to mean “gift of jewels.” The story people retell links it to the Queen of Sheba coming home from King Solomon, and being welcomed with jewels.
Whether you take that as history or legend, the name stuck. New Year in Ethiopia is flowers, family, new clothes, and Melkam Addis Amet. Tomorrow (Sep 11 Gregorian) is Meskerem 1.
So when someone says Enkutatash, they are not only saying happy new year. They are nodding at that old welcome-home gift story too.
