Cultural Diversity with
Ethiopia, like many other African countries, is a multi-ethnic
state and rich culturally. Ethiopia is a truly extraordinary place to visit with
colorful culture. Over 80 languages are spoken by the many different
ethnic groups. The Amhara and Tigrayan, making up nearly a quarter of the population,
are Orthodox Christian, while the largest ethnic group, the Oromo, reflects the
country's spiritual diversity, with some communities Christian, others Muslim,
and many following at least a partial form of traditional animism. Northern inhabitants
tend to be settled agriculturalists, while many of the southern border people
are nomadic pastoralists. Ethiopia's Christian communities are known for their
vigorous celebration of religious festivals throughout the year. Many of the Southern
tribal communities are recognizable by their body decoration: ritual scarification,
extending of lips and body painting are followed by many groups, with each having
their own unique styles and traditional patterns.
All the languages spoken by the Ethiopian people
fall into four main language groups: Semitic, Cushitic, Omotic and Nilo-Saharan.
The Tigrigna and Amharic speaking people of the north are mainly agriculturalists,
tilling the soil with ox-drawn plows and growing teff (a local millet). The most
southerly of the Semitic speakers, the Gurage, are also formers and herders, but
many are also crafts men.
Hamer, Mursi, Karo, Geleb, Bume, Bena, Dasenech
and others are nomadic pastoralists.
More on ...Ethiopian
The different tribes in the country have a weekly market
to buy and sell their produces. In every market are colorful events.
The Hamer, Tsemay, Banna and Besada people share traditions
and rituals. One of the most important one from these traditions is the so-called
'jumping over the bull'.
DONGA - stick fighting of the Surma people</
Dongaa is a stick fighting festival of the Surma young man.
At a fight,
each contestant is armed with a hardwood pole about six feet long with a weight
of just under two pounds
More on ... Events
is the national dish for most Ethiopians is ingera, a flat, sour dough pancake
made from a cereal grain that is unique known as Teff.
The story of coffee has its beginnings in Ethiopia, the
original home of the coffee plant, coffee arabica, which still grows wild in the
forest of the highlands.
More on ... Food and
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