 ith 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.
Ethiopian Festivals
With religion playing such an important part in many people's lifestyles, Ethiopia is a land where festivals and ceremonies provide many high points in the calendar.
At such times, in towns and villages the people are dressed in their finest clothes. |
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The following are among the most famous festivals:
Enkutatash - Ethiopian New Year's day.
Maskal - The festival of the finding of the true cross.
Gena - Ethiopian Christmas (Jan. 7)
Timket - Ethiopian Epiphany
Faseka - Ethiopian Easter
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Kulubi Gabriel
Gishen Mariam
Sheik Hussein
Sof Omar
Axum Tsion
Id Al Adha
Id Al Fetir
Maulid |
Festivals
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Ethiopia still retains the Julian calendar, in which the year is divided into 12 months of 30 days each, and a 13th month of five days, or six days during the leap year.
The Ethiopian calendar is almost eight years behind the Gregorian calendar now used in the west. Ethiopian Christmas Day is on January 7th of the Gregorian calendar.
Archeological Attractions
The remains of "Lucy" which date back 3.5 million years and the recent discovery of amidas, a 4.4 million year old hominid fossil, mark Ethiopia as the cradle of mankind. Both were discovered in Haddar, along the Awash river, in the east of the country. They completed the missing link between apes and men.
Melka Konturie is also an important archeological site. Here 1.5 million year old stone tools were found. Several cave paintings and stone monuments are located
in different parts of the country, namely Dilla, in the South and Dire Dawa, in the east.
Night Life
In the large cities there is a wide range of entertainment in the evenings. In Addis Ababa, there is a Casino in the Ghion Hotel, as well as several international night clubs. In Addis Ababa, and in many other towns, the cinema is a popular form of entertainment, with films in both English and other languages. Theatrical performances are confined to the main centres, but in every town you will find local bars, called 'buna bet' (meaning coffee house), where the local people will be pleased to make you welcome. Traditional folklore dances will often be held in the main hotels and tourist sites.
Crafts of Ethiopia
Ethiopia is rich in traditional crafts and its artisans work with local raw materials, creating artifacts that are useful, as well as being items of great beauty. Shopping in Ethiopia can be an exciting experience.
The bustling markets are the places to try out your bargaining skills, and even in some small work-shops you can achieve a more reasonable price after a little bit
of haggling.
In Addis Ababa, the Mercato is the place to head for, but in all town markets and road side stalls will display the crafts made in the locality.
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In Harar, visitors will find colourful basketwork or Silver filigree, while the crosses of Gonder are famous. Hand-woven carpets come from Debre Brhan, while Jumma is well-known for its three legged stools. All over the country you will find historical artifacts.
In all regions, modern skills are being combined with traditional methods to produce modern handicrafts that make splendid souvenirs. Pottery, wood-carving
and modern jewellery make wonderful keepsakes. Other treasures include hand-carved furniture, wall-hangings, beautiful embroidery and costume dolls. |
Cultural Ethiopia
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Ethiopia's modern designers have created a range of fashionable clothes that will enchant you. Ladies should explore some of the smaller boutiques in Addis Ababa, while both men and women will delight in the excellent leather goods for which Ethiopia is famous.
Language
Ethiopia is a multi-ethnic state with a great variety of languages spoken in the country, of which there are eighty three, with some 200 dialects. The main three languages are Amharic, Tigrigna and Oramigna. English is also widely spoken. Amharic is the most prominent of the local languages. The name originates from the Amhara people, who live in the highlands of Ethiopia.
Ethiopian languages belong to one of four main language groups: Semitic (Such as Amharic and Tigrigna), Cushitic (such as Afan Oromo), Omotic and Nilo-Saharan.
A useful phrase book will provide phonetic guides to aid pronunciation.
Food and Drinks
With people from so many different ethnic groups, the food and drinks of Ethiopia are varied.
A typical dish is Wot, a hot spicy stew of meat or vegetables, seasoned with a blend of Berbere. It is often made with Doro (Chicken), and normally served with injera, the traditional spongy pancake made from a fermented teff flour batter.
In most good restaurants, or in the local coffee house, you will find delicious dishes that reflect the customs and the ingredients of the region.
In Addis Ababa, as in most of the larger cities, visitors will also find a wide range of restaurants that reflect the influences of other cuisines. All large hotels have international restaurants, but elsewhere in the city you can sample Chinese, Indian, Middle Eastern, Italian, French, Greek and other cuisines.
Ethiopia produces its own wines. Dukam and Gouder are fine reds, Axumite is sweeter and Crystals is a dry white wine. Ethiopia?s famous honey wine, or Tej, is found all over the country as is Tela, a local beer and Katikala, a distilled liquor.
Sporting Activities
Ethiopia is a country for people who appreciate the great outdoors. The chance to enjoy the attractions of Ethiopia while participating in a favourite pastime, make a holiday in Ethiopia even more fun.
Some activities may simply provide a relaxing interlude to an Ethiopian tour, while others may be an important factor in choosing to go to Ethiopia. In remote areas,
or when undertaking any form of hazardous activity, we strongly recommend that you take a local guide. In national parks, ranger guides accompany trekking parties.
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