Ethiopian Community & Cultural Center

Bay Area African/African-American Folklife/Other 2013

Ethiopian Community & Cultural Center of the Bay Area was established in 2001 as a nonprofit community-based organization to empower Ethiopians and Ethiopian-Americans through education, advocacy, services, and development of community-based resources.  ECCC coordinates educational programs and social services that empower and support Ethiopian immigrants/refugees to become self-sufficient.  Their programs and services strengthen language, social, and cultural competency in their new environment, primarily accomplished through volunteers contributing time and energy to making the transition to the Bay Area successful.

In 2013, ECCC received funds from ACTA’s Living Cultures Grants Program to support their annual Ethiopian New Year celebration. Ethiopian New Year, or Enkutash, literally means gift of jewels and is a time of exchanging gifts and feasting. In the diaspora, this outdoor event provides an opportunity to share with the wider public performing artists, artisans, food, and information about the larger Ethiopian American community. The one day event will be held in September, following the Ethiopian calendar.

The following video features scenes from ECCC’s 2005 Enkutash celebration.