COFFEE originated from Ethiopia and is it’s biggest export product, and whilst most people know that, here are 5 interesting facts about Ethiopia.
1) Ethiopia celebrates their New Year in (our) September! They have thirteen months in their calendar year. Yes, when you travel to Ethiopia it not only feels like you are going back in time, but you actually are! The traditional Ethiopian calendar is 7 or 8 years behind the international calendar. They say it’s the only place with thirteen months of sunshine! They also have a different time structure which is really quite logical…but so unique! So when communicating about time it’s a good idea to make sure you are talking about the same time zone. It’s easy to pick up when you are there, but can be confusing if you travel to Ethiopia without knowing!
Coffee is not just a drink in Ethiopia, but a way of life, a way to welcome and a way to connect. It is also its biggest product export.
2) UNESCO have listed a total of 9 world heritage sites in Ethiopia. There are 8 UNESCO cultural world heritage sites and 1 UNESCO natural world heritage site. Ethiopia is full of history, culture and traditions. The most well known UNESCO world heritage site in Ethiopia is Lalibela, which is famous for its rock-hewn churches and a significant religious site. However one of the small but still significant UNESCO world heritage sites in Ethiopia is Tiya. It is south of Addis Ababa and can be added to your itinerary if you are travelling to the Omo Valley from Addis Ababa.
Tiya is a significant archaeological site with 36 standing stones or stelae. It is one of the lesser known UNESCO World Heritage sites of Ethiopia.
There are 54 known remains that are 700-800 years old. The Tiya Stellas are engraved with symbols that provide an insight into this burial site.
A guide at the site gives an insight into the symbols engraved on the stellae. There are other sites that have been found in the surrounding areas, but not with so many known remains in one place. The positions that the remains were found in here also provided context and historic significance.
3) “LUCY” a 3.2 million year old skeleton that was discovered in southern Ethiopia is ancient evidence of mankind and has many believe Ethiopia was the first place of mankind. Whilst there are also ancient remains found just south in northern Kenya it is truly evident that this area has significant human history.
“Lucy” is a major attraction at the National Museum of Ethiopia in Addis Ababa.
4) Ethiopia is one of only two African countries to not be colonised (even although attempts were made). This has helped keep it’s long-standing traditions, beliefs and cultures and kept this country so surprisingly unique. They have been able to sustain their traditions, languages, beliefs, food, values and way of life.
5) There are over 80 different languages in Ethiopia with up to 200 different dialects spoken. The Federal law of Ethiopia considers the official language as Amharic even although that is not the most widely spoken language. “Ameseginalew’ is thank you in the Amharic language which is an Ethiopian semitic language. The writing system of Amharic is the Ge’ez.
‘Yursmach’ is Thank you in the Bench tribe language. (I have spelt it phonetically!)
I often get a surprised look from people in Australia when I say that I travel to Ethiopia and love it there… but there is so much to love about this remarkable country and it’s people!
The Ethiopian Flag flying above a coffee plantation.
There are many languages, tribes and traditions throughout this historic country. Due to the terrain many areas are hard to access or quite separate so when travelling in Ethiopia you can experience many differences from within the one amazing country of Ethiopia.
