September

September (also spelled Septembre) is the ninth month of the Gregorian calendar, the dating system most widely used in the world. It has 30 days. It follows August and precedes October.

The name derives from the Latin word 'septem', meaning seven. This is because in the earlier Roman calendar, this month was the seventh, since the year began in March. When January and February were added to the front of the calendar, the name remained even though its position changed.

Climate and seasons

In the Northern Hemisphere, September marks the beginning of autumn, while in the Southern Hemisphere it marks the beginning of spring. In equatorial regions, including Somalia, the division of seasons is based on rainfall and monsoon winds rather than temperature.

Around the middle of the month, on approximately 22 or 23 September, the equinox occurs, a time when night and day are roughly equal in length everywhere on Earth.

Somalia and September

In Somalia, September typically falls between the end of the Xagaa (summer) season and the beginning of Dayr (autumn), one of two rainy seasons in the year. Farmers prepare the planting of Dayr crops during this month.

Names in other languages

In different languages the month is called: English 'September', French 'Septembre', Italian 'Settembre', Arabic 'سبتمبر', and Turkish 'Eylül'. Most European languages derive the name from the same Latin root.