Ethiopia is the oldest independent nation in Africa with a heritage dating back to the first century AD. It has a rich history of more than 3000 years with over 80 Ethnic groups with their language, culture, and traditions.
Ethiopia became one of the first Christian lands in Africa. The religious ceremonies and rituals are part of its everyday life.
Present-day Africa was once in control of the vast East African territory. It was referred to as a world-famous influential powerhouse with control over the Indian ocean, red sea, and Southern Arabian Countries.
The country covers a total of 1, 112,000 sq meters of landmass and it shares boundaries with Sudan, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Eritrea, and Djibouti. It is also referred to as the 2nd populous country in Africa with a population of about 91 million. There are about 80 tribes with different languages and cultural codes in Ethiopia.
It became the only sub-Saharan African Country with 10 UNESCO heritage sites namely; Rock Churches of Lalibela, Gondar Castles, the Islamic city of Harar, Konso people village, Seimen Mountains National park, the historical city of Axum, Lower Awash Valley, Tiya Stele site, Lower Omo Valley and Meskel Festival.
Ethiopia, the wonderland is a land filled with varieties, uniqueness, freedom, colorful culture, natural beauty, and much more things.
Ethiopa has plenty in store for you as a curious traveler. It has a unique old alphabet, numerical, and calendar system that set it apart from other African Nations.
Here are some of the things you will experience when you visit. The people are incredibly friendly and hospitable.
UNESCO HERITAGE
- Rock Churches of Lalibela
- Gondar Castles
- Islamic city of Harar
Konso people village
- Seimen Mountains National park
- The historical city of Axum
- Lower Awash Valley
- Tiya Stele site
- Lower Omo Valley
- Meskel Festival
Christian national holiday celebrated by the orthodox churches in Ethiopia. This festival marks the discovery of the True Cross that Jesus was crucified on.
CUISINE
In Ethiopia, its cuisine centers around bread known as Injera used as a vessel for spicy meats and vegetables. It offers you a tasty meal from its raw meat delicacy to an extensive vegetable dish from the raw meat delicacy using Injera, Tibs, Kitfo, Shiro wat, Doro wat, Beyainatu, Fir fir, Gomen, Nisir wat and Camel burgers. For coffee lovers, Ethiopian coffee will deepen your bond with beverages.
it’s a social event where people have conversations and catch up. They dedicate an entire ceremony to its preparation and consumption.
FESTIVALS
Ethiopa is also home to several festivals ranging from Adwa Celebration, timket, and meskel festivals.
Adwa Festival
It is a day used to celebrate and remember Emperor Menelik who invaded Italian Army on 2nd March 1896. A treaty was signed between Ethiopia and Italy in 1889 which granted a part of Ethiopia to Italy wherein arms, and financial aids were to be given to Ethiopia in return. Rather than doing so, Italy made them their protectorate, which Ethiopia rejected causing a fight that made Ethiopian forces led by Emperor Menelik defend Ethiopian territory finally crushing the equipped Italian Army completely.
BIRDING TOUR IN ETHIOPIA
This is a birdwatching feast of wildlife experience that is hard to rival in Africa. It has more than 800 bird specie 29 of which are endemic.
This birding tour is the ultimate tour when you visit.
Birds you will see include Ethiopian/Eritrean endemic, Yellow-fronted Parrot, Thick-billed Raven, and Stresmann’s Bush Cow amongst others.
Every year, an exciting discovery is made.
Yellow-fronted parrot
Thick-billed Raven
Finally, another interesting activity you can carry out when you visit is Hiking in the Simien Mountains.
Simien Mountain is the highest in Ethiopia at 6,500 feet. It has a breathtaking view of a landscape framed by nature.
A visit to Ethiopia will have you experience joyful festivals, natural scenery with beautiful landscapes, and much more. You will surely have your camera filled with loads of beautiful pictures.
This will be a worthwhile experience you will tick off your bucket list.