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The gifted land, Ethiopia, is situated between 30 and 150 North
latitude, and 330 and 480 East longitude. It has a total area of 1.1
Million km. Square and 5,311km. Circumference. It shares border in the
north with Eritrea, in the South with Kenya, in the east with Djibouti
and Somali and in the West with the Sudan. Out of the total area 65 % is
arable.The largest part of the country has elevation of more than 2000m.
asl for which reason it is called the roof of Africa. Ras Dashen
(4620m.) is the highest peak in the country and the contrasting Cobar
Sink (116m. below sea level), is also found here in Ethiopia.
In general Ethiopia has diversified features like, majestic mountains,
imposing peaks, alluring and glamorous gorges, ravishing tablelands,
luxurious tropical regions and the magnificent rift valley, the only
mark on the earth visible from the moon.
The splendid landscapes, the tremendous and unusual physical relief and
the infrequent wilderness, the numerous lakes characterized by their
aquatic life, interweaving rivers, the enticing and magnificent
waterfalls, extensive national parks and game reserves that Shelter
innumerable wild lives are some of the captivating, and astonishing
natural attractions that Ethiopia offers.
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History |
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Archaeological findings witness that Ethiopia is the origin of human
species. Ten of the fourteen known early hominid fossils that gave
substantial information about the origin, biological evolution and
cultural development of human, are found in Ethiopia. For example, the
4.4million years old fossil of Australopeticus ramides, 3.2 million
years old skeleton of Lucy or as to the Ethiopian context “Dinknesh”
(wonderful), 2 million years old remains of Homo habilis, Homo sapiens,
2.5Million years old tools and the recent fossil of “Selam” in the
national language Amharic meaning peace, older than Lucy by 0.15 million
years, etc
Ethiopia, the cradle of humankind and emblem of liberty is a country of
long history that dates back to the beginning of the first millennium
B.C, the time of the legendary Queen of Sheba. As to the Legend the
Queen heard about the wisdom of King Solomon of Jerusalem. Being
intrigued by what she heard, she went to Jerusalem and during that time
She conceived from the king. She gave birth to a child, the later king
Menelik I, on her arrival in Ethiopia. From that legend the name of
Ethiopian “Solomonic Dynasty” was developed and continued until the
225th and the last Emperor of the line, Haile Selasie I deposed in 1974
by the Derg regime.
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People and
Culture |
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Ethiopia the land of young people has 75 million inhabitants, of
which50% are below 20 years. These people belong to the Semetic, Cushtic,
Omotic and Nilotic groups. The country has more than 80 ethnic groups
with their own language and subculture for which reason Ethiopia is
called mosaic of ethnic groups. The Ethiopian people have their own
historical, cultural and language identity. Ethiopian is rich in both
tangible and intangible cultural heritages. To mention only few, the
rock-hewn churches of Lalibela carved out of a solid volcanic tuff, the
Like of which the world has never seen, yet elsewhere, Aksum’s numerous
monolithic stele the largest ever erected in the world, the alluring
immense castles of Gonder, lower Awash archaeological site where the
famous ‘Lucy” and others were uncovered, the walled city of Harar.
Ethiopians claim to have the original ark of the covenant and the true
cross on which Jesus Christ was crucified .The oral literature,
spiritual songs, religious ceremonies, pun, legends, cultural sports,
etc of the nations and nationalities coupled by the hospitality of the
gracious people are irreplaceable intangible cultural heritages of the
country.
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Language |
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More than 80 languages with more 200 dialects are spoken in Ethiopia.
Ethiopia is the only country that has its own scripts with 253
alphabetical letters. Amharic is the national language. English is
widely spoken in the capital and in other towns; French as well is
spoken in the Capital.
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Religion |
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Ethiopia has experienced four major religions. Namely,
Nature/traditional, Judaism, Christianity and Islam. It is among the
first countries that accepted Christianity in the 4th century. Islam
also was introduced in the time of Muhammad the prophet (7thcentury A.D).
At present the major religions are Christianity and Islam.
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Dressing |
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Ethiopians have their own dressing style. Men in the north and central
part of the country wear white cotton or khaki trousers which are tight
fitting at the knee to ankle with a long white “Shema” ‘ Gabi’, the
lighter ‘Kuta’, still a lighter ‘Netela’ thrown over the shoulders.
Women wear long dresses with full skirts made of white cotton with
colored hems. This style of clothing is worn nowadays by many women
especially during festivals. The pastoralist people also have their own
way of dressing, mainly, traditional leather cloths. Whether Christians
or Muslims, most Ethiopians tend to dress modestly. Very short, tight
clothes and skimpy tops should be avoided for either sex, unless at the
swimming pools and lake areas.
People have their own way of ornamentation with the use of gold, sliver,
copper and other materials.
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Food
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There are several dishes of nations and nationalities. The national dish
is ‘Injera’ a flat, sour dough pancake made of mostly an herbaceous
small seed grain called ‘Teff’. Injera can also be prepared from other
grains like; millet, wheat, barley etc. Injera is served with sauce meat
or vegetable). ‘Doro wate’, chicken stew is the most delicious national
sauce to eat Injera with for most Ethiopians.
During the fasting periods the Orthodox Christians consume vegetable and
pulses dishes. Ethiopians mostly din together round a large plate,
mostly in Rural areas a woven basket that serves as a dining
table. Morsels of the chicken and meat are served at the end after one
filled up his/ her stomach with Injera and sauce.
Local dinks ‘Tela’ home made beer and ‘Tej’ mead made of honey and
others. Coffee, indigenous to the country is the most often consumed hot
drink.
For visitors who find the Ethiopian dishes spicy can get Italian,
Arabic, Chinese, American, Indian, French, Greek other dishes in Addis
Ababa and European dishes, outside Addis Ababa.
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Government |
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Ethiopia has a Federal Democratic Republic government system with nine
National Regional States and two city administration councils with their
administration autonomy. It has a bicameral parliamentary system, i.e.
the house of the peoples’ representatives and the house of Federation.
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Economy |
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Ethiopia is a developing country mainly depending on agriculture,
industry and service activities are also developing. More than 80% of
its population engages in agriculture as a main stay.
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Photography |
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Visitors should ask people for their permission before taking their
photographs. Generally, there is no objection but to get their consent,
specially the pastoralist people like; the Afar, the Borena and the Omo
Valley people often ask for money. Photography in churches is allowed
but not with flush lights in particular the paintings and manuscripts.
Churches ask payment for video graph. There are laws and regulation
about photography at sensitive areas like Palaces, Military camps etc.
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Filming |
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Foreigners or filming companies who wish to shoot feature or documentary
films in the country shall get permission from ministry of Information.
And this filming permit can be facilitated through Pathfinder Tour
Operator. The General Manager, Mr.Mulugeta Dubale has worked with
different filming companies such as BBC, Green Umbrella of London, MTV
of Spain and National Geography at different times and different areas
and has developed enough work experience in the filming industry and
recently have acted in the Ethiopian film directed and produced by an
Ethiopian called GOBEDERA.
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Souvenir |
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Most of the souvenir shops in the historic route and in Addis Ababa are
stocked with artifacts like; crosses, icons, paintings on skin reflect
the Ethiopian orthodox religious tradition. There are also other shops
stocked with woodcarvings of the southern and western part of the
country and woven basket works of the Harare and other people. Gold and
some sliver crosses and other antique artifacts are not allowed to be
exported. If one has doubt whether the item she/ he bought is exportable
or not can take it to the national museum for checking it.
Visitors shall have a stamped receipt for the item they bought.
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Clothing |
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Warm clothes with water repellent bags are essential throughout the year
in the highland regions and light cotton clothes in the lowland regions.
Easily removable shoes are preferable while visiting churches.
Sunglasses and hats as well are necessary.
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Health and
Precautions |
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Ethiopia requires visitors to have up to date Yellow Fever vaccination
certificate. Generally for their own safety, visitors should be
immunized against hepatitis type A and B, Tetanus, Typhoid, Polio and
Cholera.
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Malaria |
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Visitors need to bring insect repellent cream & spray for mosquitoes,
for tour to the historic route (high altitude areas) no worry of malaria
there, and chloroquine and paludrine for the tours to the low altitude
like Awash and Omo Valley .Ask your doctor for the prescription.
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Visas |
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Visitors require an entry visa can obtain it from Ethiopian Missions
abroad .For visitors from those countries where there is no Ethiopian
embassy; arrangements can be made in advance for the visa to be
available at the airport.
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Currency
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The Ethiopian currency is Birr of 100 cents and has; 1, 5, 10, 50 and
100 denomination. The coins are also in 1, 5,10,25,50 cents.
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Electricity |
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Voltage 380/220 and plugs are in two pins Varity.
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Climate |
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Ethiopia has moderate highland climate. There are two main seasons: the
dry season, which prevails from October through May, and the Wet season
which runs from June to September.
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Time |
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Ethiopia is in GMT +3 hour’s time zone
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Calendar |
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Ethiopia follows the Julian calendar which consists of 12 months of 30
days each and a 13th month of 5 days and once in four years/ in the leap
year 6 days.
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Newspapers |
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There are several foreign- language newspapers published in Ethiopia to
name a few, the daily Ethiopian herald printed in English, the Arabic
weekly news paper Al Alem.
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Security |
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Violent crime in Ethiopia is rare. However, Visitors should of course
take the usual precautions; carry not, much money while moving in the
towns but the amount required for the time, and leave the rest in the
security Box or reception of your hotel, keep your wallets and/
Handbags close to your body in crowded areas. |
