Long Live Ethiopia

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Long Live Ethiopia

(Deepti Kataria)

Ethiopia is located at the Horn of Africa in the East, and this country is considered by many as a region, from which modern Humans first set out to inhabit. New Analysis Based on Ash From Volcanic Cataclysm Dates an Early Human Found at Omo, Ethiopia, to 233000 Years, ,supporting the ‘Early’ evolution theory for Homo Sapians. Anthropologists have also discovered the remains of the earliest known human ancestor in Ethiopia, dating to between 5.2 and 5.8 million years ago.

The name Ethiopia came from the King "ETHIEL" and the most expensive mineral, "YOP" that is believed to be only found in Ethiopia, and not discovered yet. By the time King ETHIEL was on the throne, has begun to find this mineral and the land was called the "Eth's land of yop" or Ethiopia. It is Africa’s oldest independent country, rather this is the only country in Africa which had never been colonised. Isn’t it Amazing !!

Beyond this there is so much to see and explore in this beautiful country

Let’s find out more about this Wonderful country.

Ethiopia follows its own calendar ,
A year in the Ethiopian calendar is 13 months long, with 12 months of 30 days each. The last month has 5 days in a common year and 6 days during leap year.While we are in 2023, they are in 2015, 7 years behind the Gregorian Calendar.

Being close to the Equator, Ethiopia’s daylight is pretty consistent throughout the year. So many Ethiopians use a 12-hour clock, with one cycle of 1 to 12 — from dawn to dusk — and the other cycle from dusk to dawn. They believe it’s less confusing if the clock starts when the day does. Thus, sunrise is 1 o’clock and sunset 12. Then the 12-hour night clock sets in. So when buying bus tickets etc., make sure you ask whether departure time is in Ethiopian or Western time.

Its deep-rooted history and traditions
Because of its long-standing independence, Ethiopia differs from other African countries in customs and ways of living. Having a different calendar, different way of interpreting the 24-hours clock and its own ancient alphabet, shows just a few of the ways through which Ethiopia has maintained its authenticity and traditions over the years.

Its cuisine
Ethiopia’s cuisine is also knows as being “a vegetarian’s haven”. Due to their strong religion beliefs that prohibits them from eating animal products on Wednesdays and Fridays, Ethiopian cuisine is very vegan and vegetarian friendly, and that is really cool.

Origin of coffee
Ethiopia is widely considered the birthplace of coffee. Many experts say that Ethiopia is the only place that coffee grew natively . Perhaps one of the clearest reflections of coffee's role in Ethiopian culture is in its language. Coffee plays such a heavily ingrained role in Ethiopian culture that it appears in many expressions dealing with life, food, and interpersonal relationships. One common Ethiopian coffee saying is "Buna dabo naw". This literally translates to "Coffee is our bread". It demonstrates the central role that coffee plays in terms of diet and illustrates the level of importance placed on it as a source of sustenance.

United people
A patriotism, is another distinctive feature of Ethiopian culture. All its people are proud of their country and their origins, their pride comes from the fact that they are one of the few countries untouched by Western influences and the long-standing reign of the Ethiopian Empire throughout history.

Yilungta
‘Yilungta’ is what Ethiopians consider the concept of generosity and selflessness. Without a direct translation, ‘Yilungta’ is the concern towards others regardless of your own situation and it is a value that the Ethiopian community lives by. Thus, making their people more inclusive and hospitable due to the community values that they all share. World should aim to have ‘Yilungta’ as part of our lives and communities.

Addis Ababa ,the capital city of Ethiopia and the African Union and is often called the “African Capital” due to its historical, diplomatic, and political significance for the continent. This city’s name is sometimes spelled “Addis Abeba,” which means “new flower” in the Amharic language. Empress Taitu named the city, which is also known by the Oromo language name “Finfinnee.” Other parts of the city were called hora Finfinnee, meaning “hot springs.”

Addis Ababa is Located in the foothills of the Entoto Mountains and standing 7,726 feet (2,355 meters) above sea level, it is the third highest capital in the world. It is located in the geographic centre of the country. When the city was at risk due to a shortage of firewood in the early 1900s, an ambitious campaign to plant Eucalyptus trees imported from Australia in and around the city essentially secured its lasting location. Today, a greenbelt of forests and semi-subsistence cultivated land surrounds the city. Addis Ababa is an important administrative centre not only for Ethiopia but also for the whole of Africa. The headquarters of the African Union and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa can both be found in the city. The United States and the European Union both have two delegations in Addis Ababa, one for bilateral relations with Ethiopia and one for the African Union.

All these would be enough to make Ethiopia a fascinating place to visit and travel through, but Ethiopia has so much more to offer. Here one can find virtually all the faces of African culture and its landscapes and much of its wildlife. Trek across higher moorlands – in the Simien and Bale mountains – and see unique forms of Afro-Alpine plants, which here grow to an astonishing size, explore great rivers and lakes including Lake Tana, the source of the majestic Blue Nile whose valley is one of the world’s greatest, longest and deepest gorges.

Seven of Ethiopia’s magnificent historical sites are included in the world cultural heritage list: The Simien National Park, the Rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, the Castles of Gondar and other monuments of Gondar Style, the lower Valley of the Awash paleontological and prehistorical sites, Tiya proto- historical and archeological sites, Axum historical and archeologic, valley of the Omo paleontological and prehistoric sites. Come, Let us explore, visit this wonderful country with family and friends and experience the most Ecstatic moments!

Deepti Kataria