Ethiopia, where the ancient and modern dwell

Addis is regarded as the political capital of Africa as it is home to the African Unity organisation and to the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, (UNECA). No less than 95 foreign missions are represented here from all over the world. This rates Addis as one of the cities with the most concentration of […]

Addis is regarded as the political capital of Africa as it is home to the African Unity organisation and to the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, (UNECA). No less than 95 foreign missions are represented here from all over the world. This rates Addis as one of the cities with the most concentration of embassies in the world after Washington DC, New York and London.

According to information provided by the tourism bureau, “with a population of more than three million people, Addis Ababa is not only the political capital but also the economic and social nerve-centre of Ethiopia. Founded by Emperor Menelik in 1887, the city still bears the stamp of his exuberant personality. More than 21,000 hectares in area, Addis Ababa is situated in the foothills of the 3,000 metres Entoto Mountains and rambles pleasantly across many wooded hillsides and gullies cut through with fast-flowing streams.

Sites

Ethiopia is regarded as the oldest independent country in Africa with her heritage dating as far back as the first century AD. With the capital them Axum, Ethiopia was greatly influenced by Rome, Greece, Egypt and Persia amongst others and in no time became famous for her religiosity and is considered till date to be one of the first Christian lands in Africa.

In the late Late in the 10th Century, Axum declined and a new Zagwe dynasty, centred in what is the century a new dynasty Zagwe was formed after the decline of Axum which is the Lalibela of today.

According to historians, Axum, Lalibela and Gonder now provide the greatest historical legacy. It was in the 16th Century that the son of the great explorer Vasco Da Gama came to Ethiopia. He found a land of many kingdoms and provinces beset by feuds and war.

People and Culture

Ethiopia is one of the world’s great crossroads, where the people’s and cultures of Africa, the Middle East, and the Mediterranean have been interacting for thousands of Years. The resulting ethnic and cultural diversity has given rise to many unique and dynamic visual traditions.

The strong religious setting, celebrations, and festivals play an important part in every ones daily life. Church ceremonies are a major feature of Ethiopian life. The events are impressive and unique. The Ethiopian Orthodox Church has its own head, follows its own customs, and is extremely proud of its fourth century origins.

Ethiopia’s Islamic tradition is also strong and offers colorful contrast, particularly in the eastern and south-eastern parts of the country. In fact, there were Ethiopian Muslims during the lifetime of Prophet Mohammed. This rich religious history is brought to life in the romantic walled city of Harar, considered by many Muslims to be the fourth “Holy City” following Mecca, Medina, and Jerusalem.

Truly a land of discovery Ethiopia is brilliant and beautiful, secretive mysterious and extraordinary. Above all, it is a country of great antiquities, cultures, and traditions stretching back to 3000 years. The country has thus been called a cultural mosaic, due to its 80 different languages and dialects and as many, if not more, cultural varieties.

Unlike dances in West Africa which involve mostly the lower trunk of the body Ethiopia dances are basically a head and shoulder affair.

In the course of conversation one word that is recurrent is ‘ishi’ which is like the Hausa equivalent for ‘tor’.

As regards their art, Ethiopians are very artistic and their art is reflective of their religion and pastoral lifestyle.

Food

Like all Africans, Ethiopians love to have a hearty meal in a communal manner as they eat with their bare hands.

Information provided by the tourism bureau spells out that, the Coptic Church, the dominant religious sect in Ethiopia since the fourth century, dictates many food customs. There are fast days when meat is prohibited and pulses-lentils, peas, field peas, chick peas, and peanuts-are used in making the Wat and Alechi. No one is permitted to eat pork. The hand washing ceremony before and after meals is a religious ritual. Even the manner in which meats are prepared is dictated. The hottest, most peppery food in all of Africa is found in Ethiopia.

The foreigner, not accustomed to the hot spice Ber-beri or Awaze, specially prepared with red pepper and containing as many as fifteen spices, cannot take it. But if you cut down on the pepper, you will find the food to be as interesting and exciting as anything you have ever eaten.

Injera is a staple food which is somewhat like bread but sour. Injera, is a large sourdough flatbread, which is about 50 centimeters (20 inches) in diameter and made out of fermented teff flour. Ethiopians eat with their right hands, using pieces of injera to pick up bites of entrées (appetiser) and side dishes.

The cuisine characteristically consists of spicy vegetable and meat dishes, usually in the form of wat (or wot), a thick stew, served atop injera.

Religion and festivals

Ethiopia is basically a Christian community and particularly an orthodox one. There is over 80 ethnic groups, the cultures of many different communities pattern Ethiopian lifestyle.

With traditions going back to the days of Axum, and the strong religious setting, celebrations and festivals play an important part in daily life. The Orthodox Tewahedo Church ceremonies are unique and impressive; especially Timket, Genna and, Meskel festivals which provide colorful ceremonies and celebrations. People dress in traditional costume and celebrate festivals across the country with colorful unique ceremonies such as Enkutatash (New Year September 1), Meskel (September 17 Ethiopian calendar (September 27 Gregorian calendar), 6 months after the discovery of the True Cross), Ledet (Christmas alls on December 29 Ethiopian calendar; January 7 Gregorian calendar)., Timket (Epiphany, January 11 Ethiopian calendar, January 19 Gregorian calendar) and Fasika (Easter is celebrated after 55 days severe Lent fasting known as Hudade or Abye Tsome). Islamic tradition also celebrates religious festivals in the Ethiopian calendar, notably, Muharram, Milad-an-Nabi and Eid-ul-Fitr. With additional reports from Grand Holiday Tours.

Culled from the net