Ethiopia Tourist Attractions

Attractions Addis Ababa

The name of the capital city of Ethiopia means in Amharic “New Flower”.

Founded in 1886 by Menelik II, it is located at an average altitude of 2,500 m above sea level with one of the highest parts being the Entoto mountain chain (3,000m above sea level).

Addis Ababa offers a pleasant climate all year round, with an average temperature of 16°C. The population is around 5 Million people, living in an area of almost 550 km². The metropolis is not only geographically the heart of the country, but also the center for commerce, trade, traffic and politics. The African Union has established its headquarters here. Most countries are represented by their embassies in Addis Ababa.

The capital city is a melting pot of cultures and languages. The inhabitants consist of all the Ethiopian tribes as well as many foreigners from Africa, Europe, Asia and America.

Addis Ababa is a pleasant city with wide avenues of jacaranda trees, interesting museums, parks and a variety of cultural and culinary offers. It hosts one of the largest open air markets in Africa, known as the “Merkato”.

Main places of interest are (among others): The National Museum of Ethiopia- The national museum contains some wonderful artifacts dating to the south Arabian period of the so-called preAxumite civilization of Tigrai. These include a number of large stone statues of seated female figures, thought to have been fertility symbols of a pre-Judaic religion. It is interesting that the figures have plaited hair identical to the style worn by modern Ethiopians (it has been suggested that the mythological Medusa of Ancient Greece was simply a dreadlocked Ethiopian woman). One almost perfectly preserved statue, thought to be about 2,600 years old and unearthed at a site near Yeha, is seated in a 2m-high stone cask adorned with engravings of ibex. Many of the other statues are headless-probably decapitated by early Christians, who converted many pagan temples to churches. Other items include a sphinx from Yeha, once again emphasizing Axumite links with the classical

world, a huge range of artifacts from Axum itself and a cast of one of the Gragn stones from Tiya. , The Ethnological Museum -The first floor of the building is dedicated to a wide array of artifacts and daily objects relating to most ethnic groups in Ethiopia, not only the monotheistic highlanders, but also the fascinating animist cultural groups of South Omo and Afar people of the eastern desserts. On the second floor is a new exhibition on Ethiopian musical instruments and visual art through the ages, an impressive selection of Ethiopian crosses, and a unique collection of icons dating back to the middle Ages. Outside the museum building, look out for the displaced ‘head’ of the largest of the Tiya stele in the gardens. On the ground floor of the building, the IES Library maintains one of the world’s most comprehensive collections of books and photocopied articles about Ethiopia; despite the archaic and occasionally frustrating card indexing system, it is an invaluable resource for anybody undertaking research on any aspect of Ethiopian culture and history.

St. George Cathedral- locates in Paisa near to the Menelik II monument. The original church was a round building of traditional style with thatched roof, built in 1897. The ‘tabot’ of St. George was marched to the Battle of Adowa. It is perhaps for its commemoration that the church was built. The current church is an octagonal building, set in pleasant wooded gardens and elegant doomed and was built in 1906. It is decorated with several interesting paintings and Afework Tekle (Ethiopia’s leading modern artist) did some of them. It has a small but interesting museum, which has several valuable treasures. Emperor Haile Selassie was crowned in 1930 here in S. George cathedral.

Selassie (Holy Trinity) Cathedral- Emperor Haile Selassie I built it in 1941 after the restoration of independence from the Fascist Italian occupation. Many beautiful paintings, morals and stained-glass windows decorated the interior. Its exterior is very impressive with elaborate pillars and carved decorations. There are many statues of angels and disciples on the rooftop, culminating in an impressive way. The tombs of Queen Mennen (wife of Emperor Haile Selassie I) is found inside the church. In the church yare, there are tombs and monuments of very important persons including the patriots who lost their lives during the five years Italian occupations of Ethiopian, members of the royal family, commemorations of Ethiopian soldiers who died in the Korean War (1950 -1953 and monument of Sylvia Pankhrust.

Mt. Entoto with the Entoto Mariyam church-It is located at the top of the hill of Entoto. It was built in 1880s by the request of Queen Taitu for her husband Menelik II. It is an Octagonal form with the three distinct concentric chambers.

The interior walls of the church are covered with beautiful paintings. Abune Mathewos, the bishop, crowned Emperor Menelik II there. The palace and the museum are also found within the church compound.

Merkato- It is the largest open-air market in Africa, trying to convey the feeling of Merkato with a description is like attempting to portray an ocean with a cupful of water. It is a concentration of all that is Ethiopian with everything from around the world thrown in to add to its cacophony of colors and endless stalls of objects.

Merkato is not only Addis Ababa’s commercial centers; it is the dynamo of the country’s development in tread and industry, fascinating glimpse of the very vast range of goods and artifacts available from all parts of the country and one can enjoy the Ethiopian trade exchange tradition in the open-air and can purchase anything you need.

Excursions around Addis Ababa

WONCHI CRATER LAKE Wonchi is a highland area located 155km west of the capital, Addis Ababa. The most prominent feature of the area is the Wonchi Creater Lake. Other major touristic appeals include the beautiful mountainous landscape, which is partly covered with forest, the islands on the lake and the hot mineral springs, waterfalls and dramatic valley around the lake. The area is the best site for trekking and boating. There are different routes for riding or walking and boating depending on the preference of visitors.

MELKA-QUNTTURE, ADADI MARIAM AND TIYA STELA Melka Quntture, 52kms south west of Addis Ababa, is situated on the banks of the Awash River. It is an Archeological site (dating back to over 1.5 million years old) and is believed to be the home of Neolithic man. Adadi Maryam- about 90km south of Addis Ababa is the Adadi Maryam cave church, dating back to the Lalibella era in the 13th c. It is one of the holiest places in the region. Meanwhile, Tiya stale which dates back to 12-15th C (UNESCO world heritage) site is also worth to a visit.

DEBREZEIT, NAZARETH, SODORE The small resort town Debrezeit (or Bishoftu) is only one hour’s drive south east of Addis Ababa, at an altitude of 1900m. It enjoys a warm climate. It is surrounded by a series of lovely crater lakes, full of birdlife, and is excellent for walking. Meanwhile, Sodore is situated 126kms south East of Addis. It is a very popular resort with new hotel complex, Olympic size swimming pools, spas and an enlivening climate. Sodore takes advantage of the volcanic mineral springs which bubble in several spots. The nearby Awash River lends its riverine forest in the form of giant shade trees.

MENAGESHA SUBA & ADDIS ALEM The Menagesh Suba Park is known as the oldest park in Africa. The 14th c emperor Zera Yacob planted its first trees, and the forest’s rich biodiversityleopard, giant African forest hog, yellow fronted parrot and giant juniper trees-is a living testimony to the foresight of Ethiopia’s “first conservationist.” It is situated some 35kms away from west of Addis Ababa and it is densely wooded with some 400 years old trees. It is also a sanctuary for several endemic birds and animals such as the Abyssinian Catbird and the Menelik Bush Buck. Addis Alem founded

by Menelik II as it was his capital before he moved back to Addis Ababa, is famous town for the church of Debre Zion on the top of a small hill.

DEBRE LIBANOS MONASTERY AND THE PORTUGESE BRIDGE Drive some 100kms across the eucalyptus wooded Entoto Mountain range to visit the 13th c monastery of Debre Libanos. The new church is perched on the rim of dizzying gorge of one of the Blue Nile tributaries. The endemic Gelada Baboons can also be seen. The nearby 17th c Portuguese bridge is quite a scene where one can have a quite picnic lunch.

DEBRE BERHAN & ANKOBER Drive 140kms north east of Addis Ababa to visit Debre Berhan, the city founded

by King Zera Yacob (1434-1468). It was important in the earlier days because of its proximity to Ankober and the trade route through the rift valley to the coast.

There is a large wool factory and the teacher training institute in the town.

Ankober, located a short distance of 43kms from Debre Berhan, is built on the edge of the great escarpment of the rift valley. It is also founded by King Zera Yacob in the 15th C. Ruins of the palace of King Sahle Selassie and his predecessors are worth visiting in the area.

Historical Sights

AXUM-The origins of this ancient city are lost in legend. About one thousand years before Christ it is known that some tribes originally from southern Arabia settled on this side of the Red Sea; one of these tribes was known as the Habasciat (the possible origin of the name Abyssinia).

This particular area is however linked to the legend of the enchanting queen of Sheba, who, after having met King Solomon in Jerusalem, on her return gave birth to Menelik I, who was the founding father of the family known as the Kings of Kings. Local legend recounts how in the first century A.D., Axum was founded by the brothers Abreha and Atseha; it is not until midway through the fourth century that we have records of the first historical king, Ezana. The latter converted to Christianity after the arrival of Ferremnatos (Frumezio), who was sent by the patriarch of Alexandria and who later became the national saint, Abba Salame, Father of Peace.

Axum was the capital city of the longstanding Axumite kingdom, one of the most ancient African kingdoms, and represented a vital crossroads between Africa and Asia for almost a thousand years.

The ruins still visible in Axum stand as testimony to an exceptionally high level of civilization, notably the stone monoliths which are dotted throughout the city and are among the most mysterious monuments in the world. Axum is also the site of the church of Enda Mariam Zion, in front of which kings were crowned even as late as the last century. Inside, there are displays of golden crowns and crosses, the latter of which are still used during the major festivals of the Coptic Church.

Legend has it that the original Ark of the Covenant is housed in a chapel near the church. The Ark is believed to have been brought back by the Queen of Sheba on her return from Jerusalem.

YEHA Yeha’s Temple of the Moon” which also believes were the da’amat civilizations was initially flourished in 500 BC, the journey through Ethiopia’s historic rout takes you on rough tracks, through dramatic highland scenery and eventually ends in a beautiful and serene agricultural hamlet. It is here that you may see the towering ruins of Yeha’s Temple of the Moon; an imposing rectangular edifice built more than 2,500 years ago. The temple speaks eloquently of the works of

early high civilization, although little is actually known about the people who built this great edifice.

MONASTREY OF DEBRE DAMO Debre Damo situated on a cliff top in one of the wildest parts of Tigray. Debre Damo is unique and unforgettable. The bluff on which Damo stands is a real-life Shangri-la. Remote and beautiful, far from the hustle and bustle of the 21st century, the cool celestial island of rock offers panoramic views over the surrounding countryside and complete seclusion and peace for the 100 or so monks and deacons who live there. The monastery’s treasures include an extensive collection of illuminated manuscripts and the intricate carvings on the beams and ceiling of the ancient church around which the monastery is built.

LALIBELLA- Located in the north-east of Ethiopia, Lalibela is another renowned historical destination. Placed third in historic sequence, its site hosts the “eighth wonder of the world”, the Lalibela rock-hewn churches. UNESCO has recorded this site as one of the world wonders. It is also holy land for Ethiopia's Orthodox Christians.

Today the town of Lalibela hosts eleven rock-hewn churches and all, apart from their historic significance, are renowned for their excellent and unique rockcarvings. The art displayed on the rocks dates from the twelfth century yet is still intact and in great shape. An active pilgrim site, the town is extensively visited and a source of admiration for architects and tourists alike.

Founded at the center of the Lasta mountain chain, Lalibela was originally called Roha and was a site of the Zagwe dynasty, of the Agew people. The decline of the Axumite dynasty gave rise to the Zagwe dynasty and, as a result, power shifted southward from Axum. After an interruption of the Solomonic line for almost 12 years, King Lalibela III, from the last of the Zagwe dynasty, managed to have these rock-hewn churches carved.

It took King Lalibela his entire reign and more than 60,000 men to finish the work.

According to local accounts, the work was assisted by angels. Other erected and cave churches built during this period are found at a short distance from the town.

GONDAR- Gondar is the 17th-century capital of Ethiopia. Bordering Sudan and located on the northern shore of Lake Tana, it is one of the prominent historical areas in Ethiopia.

Officially founded by King Fasiladas in 1632, the Gondarine period is considered to be the third major dynasty after the Axumite and Zagwe dynasties. The

dynasty is historically important for the renaissance king's mobile camp and the introduction of a permanent capital. The attempt by King Fasiladas to end the Zagwe dynasty was successful and set Gondar as Ethiopia's capital from 1632 to 1868.

Gondar's 17th century castles reflect the strong dynasty and the power of progressive rulers. The biggest and most magnificent castle of all, King Fasiladas' castle, which is still intact, was the first to be built. Seven of the dynasty's kings had their own castles built to show their power and independent, efficient ruling styles. What is special about the castles is that they demonstrate the progress in Ethiopian building styles and follow on from the rock-building traditions of the Axumite and Zagwe kings.

Additionally, Gondar was and is still noted as an active religious center. Among the churches in town, Debre Berhan Selassie is famous for its typically Gondarine style and its ceiling.

BAHIRDAR- is the pleasant city, its avenues lined with palm trees and plants. It sets on the south eastern shore of lake Tana (Ethiopia’s largest lake), where local fishermen still use papyrus boats, and just 30km from the spectacular Tiss Isat Falls. Here the blue Nile creates” Smoking Water” an awe-inspiring sight as it plunges in to the gorge below. From Bahirdar you must explore some of the ancient monasteries that were built around Lake Tana, or on the many islands.

These includes Deke Estifanos with its priceless collection of icons, as well as the remains of several medieval emperors, Kebran Gabriel (closed to women), and Ura-kidane Mehret with its famous frescoes. The colorful local market at Bahir Dar is renowned for its weaver’s baskets and wood workers.

HARAR- (The Holiest Muslim City)- Harar is one of the most impressive Ethiopia’s historic destinations pulls remoteness and ancient history as part of the long and colorful existence of the country, Ethiopia.

Located strictly East of Ethiopia it has survived since the late first millennium BC being a strong hold of Islam. Happen to be a strong Muslim sultanate, Harar has been ruled by seventy two successive Imams since its formation i.e. 1900s till Mid 1500s through which time quite unique, strong and authentic Muslim tradition was created. As it has a vast territory, friendly tribes namely Adare, Somali, Oromo and Argoba are the main settlers with all Muslim background.

It for long time had long trade relation with the Mediterranean and Arab world and religious interaction with the Middle East over Indian ocean and red sea which pays a great deal of contribution for its Economic and especially religious growth.

Indeed the Sultanate has a lose but continuing contacts with the mid and North Christian Kingdom of the country through trade till it defuses and administration falls under the central governing Kingdom in mid 1500s. From here onwards Harar has opened the second phase in history being an ideal example of religious integrity with brotherly Christians and survived a new mix of tradition

sustained to this day. Surrounding the old town, Harar today is a big capital city in the Eastern part of Ethiopia.

Today, Harar, next to Mecca, Medina and Jerusalem is one of the main Muslim pilgrim sites in the world. Harar’s most determined attraction, the old and walled town of Harar, was particularly established in 1540’s following the downfall of the Imams’ rule with the defeat of the strongest Imam who ruled Harar. The Long and destructive war launched by this Imam, locally named Ahmed the left hander, to the Christian Kingdom and its gradual failure forced the town residents to built a great wall around the town to protect themselves from any possible attack from surrounding tribes. In this walled and old town, more than 90 mosques are built and are still service active. And with all its uniqueness, the town is known by locals as “Jegol”, a name everybody notices.

It also worth a visit to the unique attraction of Harar, also could be mentioned a special tradition of just a selected family members in Harar, to feed the wild Hyenas in a daring close to mouth close manner. It gives the glimpse that Harar’s people friendly enough to domesticate wilds.

It’s an amazing fact that driving off the main town Harar South wards, one will face a real fact of unique 1000 years old tradition and way of life which makes Harar to be a cultural destination as well. It will take full day excursion to visit the stone and mud built houses in a round and rectangular shaped manner all identically designed and Muslim tradition tuned interior decorations. Scattered through the most beautiful highlands of Harar, and owned by the most welcoming peoples of Harar is an ideal exploring through the first Millennia history and culture indeed gives an ideal trekking option through its splendid scenery.

House styles and interior decorations are unique to Harar. The house of the 19thcentury French poet, Arthur Rimbaud, is one of the most preserved in this town.

Every house in Harar has almost the same inside partitions and all are colorfully decorated with traditional utensils. With its more than 40 mosques, Harar is home to the friendliest people in Ethiopia.

Tigray Rock churches and Gheralta The Tigray region has plenty more, older ones, with more paintings, special architecture; remote locations….Over 125 rock hewn churches are recorded with Tigray-alone. These churches date from 4th-15th century. Most of them are visited around the Gheralta chained mountains. Others are found in eastern and southern Tigray.

Gheralta, northwest of Mekelle, the capital of Tigray, is the home of a quarter of the rock churches, some famous for their stone workmanship, ancient paintings and old manuscripts, and others known for their magnificent view and difficult

ascent. Some four hours drive from Axum-plus a further two hours, stiff uphill walk from the road ends – lies the monastery of Debre Damo , situated on a cliff top in one of the wildest part of Tigray.

The scenery of Gheralta is spectacular. The view of the graceful mount Gheralta and the far-reaching Hawzien plain is a rare combination of extraordinary beauty.

Wukro Cherkos Church- is a semi-monolithic church whose side walls, front wall and roof are completely separated and projecting from the main rock. It is attached to the rock only on its floor and at its back wall. The church is believed to have been carved during the 4th c. internal architecture and art works, rectangular carved columns of quartz-rich sandstone supporting arches and curved ceilings decorated by similar designs characterize this church. The presence of a sand stone slab with inscriptions of the Aksumite type in the vicinity of the church may also support the claim that the church dates back to Aksumite Period.

Abraha We Atsbeha- is located in one of the most scenic sites of the Tigrian Region. Considered among the country’s earliest churches, it is known for its extraordinary interior decoration as well as its magnificent murals. Its ceiling is decorated with sophisticated patterns and its walls are dotted by curved crosses.

According to local tradition, the church was constructed in the 4 th c, but some scholars estimate its date of construction to be the 10 th c.

Abune Yemata (GUH)

Yohannes Maequddi- this rectangular chapel has six free standing pillars that support a ceiling carved with geometrical design. The church contains many early paintings which are thought to be at least 300 years old, and are very different in style to nay other church paintings found in Gheralta. The walls of the building are dresses with murals of saints and apostles; it is the intense atmosphere that most visitors remember. A visit to this site thus provides an opportunity to explore scenic beauty, unique centuries old rock-hewn churches together with old-graced lives.

Debre Maryam Korkor Church- is one of the biggest and most complex rock hewn churches of tigrai. It has three aisles and is five bays deep to sanctuary entrance. Architecturally it is one of the more complex structures, with many

columns interesting shapes, with three cupolas spanning the five bays and Aksumite detailing. The layout follows the cruciform plan and there are numerous paintings on the walls of the columns, some faded, and in different styles. The priest with a chalice on one of the pillars is thought by one commentator to be Melchizedek, the martyr priest. On the blind arch there are scenes from early paradise with eve and the serpent, and the frescoes of birds and gazelles.

Debre Tsion (Abune Abraham) - it is architecturally most outstanding and entirely hewn from living rock. Inside this church among other things to see, the back wall panels are abundantly decorated with fine paintings of saints and Apostles. Especially the dome is beautifully adorned with patterns. The structure incorporates a dome like chamber decorated with many geometrical designs and carvings in relief depicting Angels and Saints. The monument I brief; a manifestation of great workmanship possesses the 15 th c unique circular ceremonial fan.

Tours of the Tigray rock- churches can be given either in combination with the Historic route or separately with exclusive request of travelers. It is also possible to combine the Danakil Depression, Erta ale and the Tigray rock-churches as an adventure and off- the beaten truck package.

Omo Valley Tribes

Cultures or in anthropology will find much to fascinate them in the different ethnic groups situated along the Omo River, with marvelous scenery, wild life and bird life as an added bonus. Before reaching the Omo, just before Arba Minch, boat trip at Lake Chamo, a visit can be to Chencha, the home of the Dorze people, famed for their bamboo bee-hive shaped houses and their weaving skills. Further south are the Konso, noted for their intricately terraced hillsides and the wooden totems with which they adorn their cemeteries. Along the Omo River a variety of different ethnic groups are found, such as the Tsemay, Arbore, Hamer, Galeb(Dasenech), Karo, Benna, Ari, and Mursi, Bu me(Nyangatom), Bodi, Surma, Yabello, Yirgalem(Sidama), whose contact with the modern world has come only within the last two to three decades. (The Omo, flowing for nearly 1000 km from the highlands south west of Addis Ababa to Lake Turkana in Kenya, provides excellent opportunities for white water rafting.)

While traveling to south, market is worthy to be attended by visitors as it offers a chance of seeing more than one tribe at a time, different cultural phenomena and

a good chance of taking photos and for this please take a look at on the market days.

Monday – Turmi, Kako, Konso Tuesday &Saturday – Dimeka, Jinka Wednesday: Konso Thursday – Chencha (afternoon), Konso, Key Afer (the best of all traditional market in South Omo Valley) Saturday – Weito, Chencha Dimeka, Erbore, Yabello, Jinka, Weito Tsemai The Tsemai, the dominant people of Weito village on the Konso-Jinka road, are regarded to be among the least known ethnic groups of Ethiopia. Estimated to be a total of some 5000 people, their territory extends along the western bank of the Weito River, known in Tsemai as the Dulaika River. They are mixed subsistence farmers who practice flood cultivation, with the major crops being sorghum and maize. They also rear livestock, especially cattle, and keep beehives for honey.

The Tsemai speak an Omotic language with an influence of Eastern Cushitic language that is closely related to the one spoken in Konso, which, according to oral tradition, is from where their founding chief Asasa originated. The present chief, who lives at the long-standing Tsemai capital of Ganda Bogolkila, is claimed to be the ninth in line after Asasa, suggesting that this migration might have happened between 150 and 250 years ago.

Although their appearance and dress style is similar to that of the Omotic Ari people, the Tsemai share closer political and spiritual affiliations with the Erbore, who speak a similar language, and whose territory lies adjacent to the Tsemai chief’s village. The Tsemai also frequently and openly intermarry with the Hammer, whose territory lies immediately west of theirs. In common with many other people of southern Ethiopia, society is structured around and age set system. Four fixed age sets are recognized, with every set graduating in seniority once a decade, when a new generation of boys between the ages of about 11 and 22 is initiated.

Erbore Although relatively large, Erbore is far more rustic and unaffected than many similarly sized towns in South Omo, with the police station on its outskirts moreor -less the only building that isn’t constructed along traditional lines.

In common with their linguistically and culturally affiliated Tsemai neighbors, the Erbore migrated to their present homeland from Konso perhaps two centuries ago. Because they have ancestral and cultural links to Konso and the pastoralists of the surrounding lowlands, the Erbore traditionally played an important role as

middlemen in trade between the Omo River and the Konso Highlands.

The town of Erbore lies in and area where several tribal boundaries converge, and because the Erbore people routinely intermarry with other ethnic groups like the Guji and Borena Oromo, The Hammer and the Tsemai. It is also inhabited by a substantial number of Hammer and even Borena women – adding a cosmopolitan feel to the worthwhile Saturday market.

Dasenech The Dasenech, alternatively known as the Geleb or Galeba, Marille and Reshiat, live just north of Lake Turkana, the region where Ethiopia borders Kenya and Sudan. These names all concern the same people, in total 24.000 souls. The Dasenech are neighbored by Turkana and Bume and are Ethiopia's most southern people.

The Dasenech can however be divided in eight clans. These are the Elele (ca.

6,000 people), Inkabelo (8,000), Inkoria (3,000), Koro (700), Naritch (3,000), Oro (1,000), Randal (1,000), and Ri'ele (600). Two of them (Inkabelo and Inkoria) come forth from the same ancestors: the Nyupe tribe in West-Kenya, also called the Pokot. These have more or less assimilated the Naritch (probably a splinter group of the Murle of Western Ethiopia) and the Oro. The Oro historically probably have had the dominating language and are solely responsible for the Kushite language now spoken by all Dasenech. The river people Ri'ele seem to have Borena background but have been Dasenech as time went by. The Randal are connected historically with the Rendille of Northern Kenya, whereas the Koro are related to the Maasai of Lake Turkana's west coast. Having contemplated this information it will not be hard to understand that the Dasenech aren't a united people, but more like a cluster of small groups with shared language, land, and rituals.

All clans have a more or less defined territory, except for the Koro and Oro, who are semi-nomadic. The Inkabelo are the wealthiest Dasenech and occupy the best land (Oro and Koro actually travel around in Inkabelo land). One other thing worth mentioning is that all Dasenech seem to have natural antipathy against fish. Eating fish is really a last resort in times of crises. The most important ritual of the Dasenech is the so-called dime. Taking part in the dime ritual are those men who have daughters that have already reached puberty. After the ceremony, which takes six weeks, the participants are upgraded to 'great men', or those that may engage in politics. The dime ritual is directly connected to the upcoming marriage of the daughters and consists for the larger part of slaughtering large quantities of cattle (per participant: 10 cows, 30 sheep and/or goats). By the end of the ceremony the participants are extremely well-dressed, with ostrich feathers in their clay hair, oxtails around their arms, leopard skin over their shoulders, as well as the same skirt they wore during their circumcision many years earlier. In their hands they will carry wooden shields and a stick with a fallus symbol.

The nomadic roots of the Dasenech are most clearly seen today in their traditional villages, comprised as they are of small, flimsy, domed huts strongly reminiscent of the impermanent structures built by other African desert pastoralists, from the Tuareg of the Sahara to the Nama of the Kalahari. One such village lies on the west bank of the Omo, practically opposite Omorate, and can be reached by utilizing the flat-bottomed boat that serves as a ferry across the river (police escort mandatory) Another similar village lies about 20 minutes’ walk south of the town center on the east bank of the river.

Bume The Bume are also known as the Nyangatom. the Bume live west of the Dasenech people, south- west of the Karo people, south of the Surma people and North of the Ethio- Kenyan boundary. They occasionally migrate into the lower regions of the Omo national park when water or grazing is scarce.

Numbering around 6,000 in population, the Bume speak one of the Omotic group languages - Nyangatom. They are agro- pastoralists, relying on cattle herding and flood-retreat agriculture (consisting mainly of sorghum harvesting on the Omo and Kibish Rivers). In other words, they are semi-nomadic hunters and cattle-herders by custom, measuring their wealth in terms of the size of their herd, though flood agriculture now plays and increasingly important role in their subsistence. They tend to indulge in honey and frequently smoke out beehives to get the honey inside the nests.

The Bume are known to be great warriors and, quite frequently, active warmongers. Although they are peaceful and welcoming, they conflict with the neighboring tribes including the Hammer, the Karo and the Surma.

Kangate is the get way for accessing the habitation of the Bume from the east of Omo River. The crossing of the Omo river, although need to have time to do that) to the west enables one to see their small hat villages well.

Mursi The Mursi number about 5,000 and are primarily pastoralists categorized in the Nilo-Saharan language family. The Mursi are Known for their lip plate tradition; an unmarried woman's lower lip will be pierced and then progressively stretched over the period of a year. A clay disc indented like a pulley wheel is squeezed into the hole in the lip. As it stretches, ever-larger discs are forced in until the lip, now a loop, is so long it can sometimes be pulled right over the owner's head.

The size of the lip plate determines the bride price, with a large one bringing in fifty head of cattle. The women make the lip plates from clay, color them with ochre and charcoal, and bake them in a fire.

Stick fighting or "donga": At a fight, each contestant is armed with a hardwood pole about six feet long with a weight of just less than two pounds. In the attacking position, this pole is gripped at its base with both hands - the left above the right, in order to give maximum swing and leverage. Each player beats his opponent with his stick as many times as possible with the intention of knocking

him down and eliminating him from the game. Players are usually unmarried men. The winner is carried away on a platform of poles to a group of girls waiting at the side of the arena, who decide among themselves which of them will ask for his hand in marriage. Taking part in a stick fight is considered to be more important than winning it. The men paint their bodies with a mixture of chalk and water before the fight.

Benna Broadly speaking, the Benna belong to the Hamar-Bashada cultural group.

Numbering about 35,000 they are primarily settled farmers living in the highlands to the east of the Mago National Park. They enter the Park to hunt during the dry season; if they manage to kill a buffalo they adorn them with clay and have a celebration.

Dorze Dorze is a tribe of skillful cotton weavers and potters who live in the mountains just outside Arba Minch. Their houses, standing up to 6 m tall and built in a shape of elephant's head, are the most unique traditional structures in Africa.

Staple food of the Dorze tribe is enset or false banana. The Dorze dwellings are entirely organic: they are built using bamboo, grass, and false banana leaves. A visit to the Dorze house is a pleasant and memorable experience for the tourists.

Hamer Hamer is a tribe which occupies the large territory of South Omo. They speak a language which belongs to the Omotic group of languages and display an elaborate and unique style of body decorations and clothes. Women wear leather skirts decorated with cowri shells. Their braided hair is painted with ochre, and their arms are decorated with 15 or more copper bracelets. The most important event in the Hamer society is the Bull Jumping Ceremony, the rite which marks a passage of men from one age group to another. This ceremony can be attended by tourists visiting the Hamer territory. Two principal settlements of Hamer are Dimeka and Turmi, especially colorful and interesting to visit on the market days.

Karo Karo is a small tribe of perhaps 1000 people or less. They live in the area of two small villages - Kolcho and Dus. Karo are best known for their elaborate body paintings, special for important ceremonies. Colorful face masks are prepared using chalk, charcoal, iron ore, and yellow rock. Hairstyle of both men and women is also very unusual. Foreign tourists are always welcome to attend Karo traditional ceremonies if they are lucky to visit their villages at such times.

Konso Konso is a tribe which inhabits the area of basalt hills about 85 km to the south from Arba Minch. They speak a Cushitic language. Konso live in villages usually located on a top of a hill and surrounded by a 2 m stone wall. Konso are famous

all over Ethiopia for their advanced methods of land cultivation, ehich include irrigation and building of terraces. Also very famous are the Konso's waqa carved wooden monuments erected on the graves.

TREKKING SEMIEN MOUNTAINS TREKKING- Forming part of one of the major mountain ranges in Africa, the Simien Mountains rises to the highest point in Ethiopia at Mount Ras Dashen (15,157ft/4543m), and boasts several other peaks above 13,123ft (4,000m).

The Simien Mountains National Park is known for its dramatic landscapes and spectacular scenery comprising deep canyons, escarpments, dizzying precipices, and jagged spires and pinnacles caused by millions of years of erosion.

There are a variety of trekking options, ranging from one-day hikes to treks lasting 10 days; most routes will pass through the small villages and cultivated fields dotted about the lower valleys before reaching the plateaus and high altitude areas, from where the views are breathtaking. The park is home to a variety of rare endemic wildlife, including the walia ibex (a type of mountain goat), the Simien fox and troops of bleeding heart gelada baboons that live in the cliffs. Large birds of prey, such as the lammergeyer, can also be seen.

BALE MOUNTAINS TREKKING- Bale mountains is an area of high altitude plateau that is broken by numerous Ethiopian Wolf spectacular volcanic plugs and peaks, beautiful alpine lakes and rushing mountain streams that descend into deep rocky gorges on their way to the lowlands below. The Bale Mountains rise from the extensive surrounding farm lands at 2,500 meters above sea level to the west, north and east. The National Park is divided into two major parts by the spectacular Harenna escarpment that runs from east to west. The climate of the Bale Mountains is characterized by a high rainfall and periods of damp cloudy weather interspersed with brilliant blue skies. The dry season is usually from November to February. The temperature may rise to as high as 30centigrade. Nights are star-filled, clear and cold, usually with heavy ground frosts. Temperatures may fall between -6 and -15 degrees centigrade in the main peak area of the park. The dry season is the best time to visit the national park, especially for walking and horse trekking in the high mountain area. The meadows, stream banks, forest floor and grasslands of the Bale Mountains contain much different vegetation, and are a further fascinating facet of this area.

This region contributes visually to your enjoyment and understanding of this wonderful wild place .The Mountains are also famous as home and refuge of the endemic Mountain Nyala and the Ethiopian Wolf. Both these mammals occur in reasonable numbers, and visits to the Gasay area and the Senate

plateau will ensure you see both. The Ethiopian Wolf is found only in Bale and Simien Mountains and nowhere else in the world. It feeds on rodents and as a result is mainly found at the higher altitudes where rodents abound. There are more than twenty other small to large-sized mammals like Menelik's Bushbuck, Reedbuck, monkeys and many others.

SURMA extraordinary place to visit with superb scenery and colorful culture fascinating costumes, colorful ceremonies and celebrations, crafts, music and dance of Surma people along with the natural forests in the western part. Piercing and lip plates are a strong part of the SURMA culture. At the point of puberty most women have their bottom teeth removed in order to get their lower lip pierced. Once the lip is pierced, it’s then stretched and a lip plate is then placed in the hole of the piercing. Having a lip plate is a sign of beauty and the bigger the plate, the more cattle the woman is worth. This is important when the women are ready to get married.

The unmarried man plays stick fighting known as DONGA and being a winner will be considered as hero and by girls valued highly during their mate selection besides having many herds of cattle.

The surma villages along the hills will a glance of astonishing customs and ceremonies to experience for trekkers while they walk on the hot temperate surma chain hill.

SURMA TREKKING TOURS can range from a day trip to a two week expedition, from traveling 5 or 10 km per day to 25 km per day. Every night can be spent in a different campsite, or one can choose to explore a particular area for more than a day Tour and travel to Ethiopia experts will select the best route depending on the time you have available, your sightseeing interests, and the amount of physical energy you would like to exert.

BIRD WATCHING TOURS More than 800 bird species are found in Ethiopia, of which 16 are endemic. A further 14 species are shared with Eritrea, which was part of Ethiopia until 1991.

Ethiopia’s diverse habitats, highlands, lowlands, forests, lakes, wetlands and riverine systems provide sites for wintering or passage birds.

Important Bird Areas of Ethiopia, published by the Ethiopian Wildlife and Natural History Society, provides a list of 69 sites, spread throughout the country, with much work in identifying and classifying new sites still to be done.

Most bird watching itineraries are in the south of the country – an itinerary in search of all of Ethiopia’s endemic birds would take in Debre Libanos, north of Addis Ababa, the Jemma River valley, the escarpment north west of Addis Ababa, around Debre Berhan and Ankober and the descent to Melka Jedbu, the Awash National Park, the Rift Valley Lakes, Wondo Genet, Bale and the road south through the Harenna forest to Negele, west from there to Yabello, Konso and Fejej and Nech Sar National Park. This would take a minimum of 3 weeks,

but shorter tours of about 10 days which would guarantee seeing most of the endemics and several hundred other species could be set up covering Awash National Park, the Rift Valley Lakes and the Bale Mountains.

Village Ethiopia can tailor make itineraries to meet clients’ special needs or interests, and mix bird watching with other itineraries – such as the Historic Route or the Simien Mountains and can also organize short birding extensions as part of a longer trip, or for people passing through Addis Ababa with a few days to spare. On both long and short trips, you will be accompanied by a trained ornithologist.

DANAKIL DEPRESSTION, ERTA ALE AND DALLOL

(The Afar Depression or the Afar Triangle) is a geological depression, includes Afar Triple Junction, near the Horn of Africa, also a part of the Great Rift Valley, where it overlaps Ethiopia Afar region, Eritrea and Djibouti. Afar is well known as one of the cradles of hominids, containing the Middle Awash, site of many fossil hominid discoveries such as Ardi, (ardipithecus ramidus); Gona, site of the world’s oldest stone tools; and Hadar, site of Lucy, the fossilized specimen of Australopithecus Afarensis.

The Afar Depression includes the Danakil Desert and the lowest point in Africa, Lake Asal (155 metres / 509 feet below sea level). Only the Awash River flows into the depression, where it ends in a chain of lakes that increase in salinity. Dallol is also part of the Depression, one of the hottest places year-round anywhere on Earth with a shaded air-temperature record of 64.4 °C (148 °F). The climate varies from around 25 °C (77 °F) during the rainy season (September–March) to 48 °C (118 °F) during the dry season (March– September). Thousands of years ago, this low-lying area was a salt lake which has subsequently dried up and resulted in a vast plain of salt which covers an area of more than 10 square kilometers and from which salt has been extracted since ancient times. It is estimated that there are 290 million tons of sale at Lake Afrera alone. Today one can see hundreds of Afar and Tigrayan cameleers cutting open the crust of the salt lake to produce neat rectangular salt tablets, and loading them on to thousands of camels for distribution to markets across Ethiopia.

Not far from Dallol in the Danakil Depression north of the Great Rift Valley, the only volcanic crater below sea level has remained silent since 1926 as the seabed it will one day occupy gradually widens. Another impressive natural phenomenon of this region is Erta Alle, Erta Ale meaning Smoking Mountain is particularly a unique Lave Crater Lake that erupts all the time. Erta Ale is the best place to study geology particularly the volcanic eruption, besides its great adventurous value. Danakil Depressions (120 meters below sea level) is one of the lowest points on the planet. It is located in North Eastern part of the Great Rift Valley of Ethiopia, in the Afar Region. Danakil depression offers a land of beautiful colors of volcanic salt rocks. It’s nearby the place where the Afar people extract salt bricks and charge their caravan of dromedaries for their long travel to the highland market.

This place is also very near to the part of the Rift Valley archeological study site of human evolution, especially in an area along the river Hadar in the Afar triangle, where world’s most complete fossil “Lucy” is unearthed in 1974.

COFFEE AND NATURE TOURS Coffee is nature’s gift to Ethiopia in particular and the world in general, which requires special care and proper utilization. One out standing characteristics of Ethiopian coffee is that the fertility of soil is maintained by organic recycling.

Farmers do not use chemical fertilizers but falling leaves, dead plants and manures. In fact one of the secrets of producing high quality coffee is that the farmers have developed an environment friendly coffee growing culture.

It is considered that the name coffee is derived from the name Kafa, a district in Ethiopia where the beans is believed to have originated. Kaffa is generally regarded to be the region from where the Arabica strain of coffee originated, and it is also where this plant was first cultivated. A popular legend, said variously to date to between the 3rd and 10th centuries, claims that a young herdsman called Kaldi first observed the stimulating properties of wild coffee. The word coffee already passed in to English lexicon by the year 1700. The French and Spanish call coffee as Café, the Italian caffe, the German kaffe, the Finnish khavi, the Dutch koffie, the Greek kafes, the Javanese kope, the Japanese kohi, the Russians coffee and so on.

Coffee is the most important export commodity of Ethiopia. Coffee Arabica, which originated in Ethiopia, has been grown for century’s way before any other part of the world. Since time immemorial, Coffee Arabica has been grown in the wild forests of the southwestern highlands (Kaffa and Buno districts) of the country.

Ethiopia is the primary center and origion of the Arabica Coffee plant, earlier known as Jasminum arabicum laurifolia.

Coffee is the most important commercial crop in Ethiopia, contributing more than 60percent of the country’s foreign exchange earnings. The potential for coffee production in Ethiopia is very high due to the country’s coffee producing areas suitable attitude, rainfall, and temperature, appropriate planting materials and fertile soil.

RIFT VALLEY LAKES The Great Rift Valley Lakes: stretches

for over 9,600kms form Syria to Mozambique.

In east Africa this crack has made a valley with a length of 6000kms. The openings of the Great Rift Valley feature are recent phenomena even not older than 20 million years. This is the last massive movement of the earth to play significantly in shaping the landmass of the earth. Again this features, the volcanoes, natural hot springs and strongly elongated lakes in the Great Rift Valley are evidences in the earth’s crust that threaten eventually to split Africa apart. This split east Africa in to two arms. The valley passes through Ethiopia where its largest area lies. (It is about 2800kms long). In Ethiopia, the northern end of the valley opens in to the famous Dankill Depression 116 meters below sea level is one of the hottest places on the earth. The volcanic floor is with an average width of 50 km and its maximum width is 90 km. The blue grey ridges of the volcanic basalt and granite either side, towering up to a height of 4000 meters. This volcanic floor encompasses some of the world’s last true wildernesses.

The Great Rift Valley’s passage through Ethiopia is marked by a chain of seven lakes. Each of the seven lakes has its own special life and character and provides ideal habitats for the exuberant variety of flora and fauna that make the region a beautiful and exotic destination for tourists. These lakes are Lake Ziway, Shala, Abyata, Langano, Awassa, Chmao and Abaya. Most of the lakes are suitable and safe for swimming and other water sports. Lakes Abiata and Shalla are ideal places for bird watchers.

The Rift Valley is also a site of numerous natural hot springs and the chemical contents of the hot springs are highly valued for their therapeutic purposes though at present they are not fully utilized. In short, the Rift Valley is endowed with many beautiful lakes, numerous hot springs, warm and pleasant climate and a variety of wildlife. It is considered as one of the most ideal areas for the development of international tourism in Ethiopia.

FESTIVALS KULUBI FEAST GABRIEL, 28 DECEMBER

St Gabriel is the Patron Saint who guards over homes and churches. There is a huge pilgrimage to St Gabriel’s Church on Kulubi hill, which is on the route from Addis Ababa eastwards, about 70 kilometres before Dire Dawa. Many pilgrims carry heavy burdens as penance, children are brought to be baptized, and offerings are made to be distributed to the poor.

ASHENDA (CELEBRATED FROM AUG 22-24 IN TIGRAY) Ashenda is a unique Tigraian traditional festival which takes place in August to mark the ending of fasting called filseta. This event is mostly for girls and young women, which they await very eagerly every year. It is unique to the people in the state of Tigrai which is in northern Ethiopia. The name of the festival “Ashenda” comes from the name of a tall grass that the girls make in to a skirt and wear it around their waist as a decoration.

The young women and girls dress the best traditional dresses called tilfi which is a cotton dress decorated with amazing embroidery from the neck to toe in front of the dress. The girls also adorned themselves with array of beautiful jewelry.

After they gather in the village or city center they divide in to small groups and they go house to house singing and playing their drums. They stop at ever house and sing and dance for the people in the houses. It is customary for people to give them money, food and drinks and other items for their efforts. They continue the whole day going from house to house and occasionally stopping in a village or city center and singing and dancing for a while before they go on again on their tour.

A week or so after the celebrations started, the event comes to an end with all the girls from the village or the town coming together in the center of the town or a village singing and dancing until sun down. This time the young boys join in more like spectators than active players.

IRRECHA (OROMO THANKS GIVING FESTIVAL) On the 1st of October, drive to Debre Zeyit (Bishoftu) to attend a very colorful Oromo thanks giving festival called, Irrecha takes place on the shore of Lake Hora annually for not less than 1,000 years. Celebrate the traditional Oromo notion of Waka (one god). Some believers carry a sheaf of leaves or yellow flowers to the water’s edge to praise Waka for the bounty of nature, while the others dance traditionally in circles. Then drive back to Addis Ababa.

ENKUTATASH (ETHIOPIAN NEW YEAR)

Celebrated on 11th of September, it is both New Year’s Day and the Feast of St. John the Baptist. The day is called ‘Enkutatash’ meaning the “gift of jewels”. In the eve after dark the people light fires outside their houses.

AXUM TSION MARIAM CELEBRATION (CELEBRATED FROM ON NOV 29 AND 30) In the eve fly to Axum and tonight attend the eve ceremony at the Zion (Mariam Tsion) church where as legend has it the original Ark of Covenant is housed.

The following day early morning, attend the colorful church ceremony at Mariam Tsion; pilgrims from all over the country come to express thanks after the fulfillment of a wish, or in the hope of miraculous cure. Believers wrapped in white shawls besides on this day the pilgrims sing with joy with the priests one after the other and among the swaying choir the priests (usually two) raps on drums, letting out a deep boom and female’s voice respond in a piercing chorus of ululations.

MESKEL (THE FINDING OF THE TRUE CROSS) This vibrant national holiday has been observed throughout the country for centuries It has been celebrated by the Ethiopian Christians over 1,600 years. It falls annually between the 3rd and 4th week of the September. The feast commemorates the discovery of the cross, up on which Jesus was crucified; by the Empress Helen, the mother of Constantine the Great.

On the eve of Meskel tall branches are tied together and yellow daisies, popularly called Meskel flowers, are placed at top. During the night these branches are gathered together in front of the compound gates and ignited. This symbolizes the action of Empress Helen who, when no one would show her the holy sepulcher, lit incense and prayed for help. Where the smoke drifted she dug and found three crosses. To one of them, the True Cross, many miracles were attributed.

Before the bonfire, celebration starts in the early afternoon priests in their bright vestments, students, brass, and bands singing a special Meskel song circling the Demera (bonfire).

Meskel also signifies the physical presence of the true cross at the remote mountain monastery of Gishen Debre Kerbe located in the Wolo region.

Arrangement of the cross was kept in a box of Gold. The priests of Gishen still safeguard this treasure along with Tefut, which is handwritten in Geez on beautiful parchment.

During this time of the year flowers bloom on mountains and plains and the meadows are yellow with the brilliant Meskel daisy. Dancing, feasting, merrymaking, bonfires and even gun salutes mark the occasion.

EPIPHANY (TIMIKET CELEBRATION ON JAN 18 AND 19) AT GONDAR In Gondar it is celebrated around the bath / pool of king Fasilides.

In the eve holly Tabot, a replica of the Ark of the Covenant, is taken from each church to a central area accompanied by priests bearing prayer sticks and Sistra, huge mass of keen believers.

The process is gorgeous affair containing brilliantly colored umbrellas, Priests, and deacons’ wearing blue vestments bedecked with gold brocade. The debteras (church choirs) march ahead of the procession Singing and dancing with the rhythm of the church drums (keberos) and the rattle of the Sistra. When the procession reaches where it stays, the Tabot is place in a tent specially reserved for it where it remains during the night. People spend the whole night praying, feasting, singing and dancing. The ringing of bells and blowing of trumpets, and winging bronze censers from which wisps of incense smoke escape into the evening air.

The following day the church officials, resplendent in their gorgeous regalia, assemble around the Tabot and sprinkle holy water over all the Christians present and receive the renewals of their vows. Then the congregation follows the bishops, elders and clergy as the Tabot is carried back to the church.

CHRISTMAS (GENA CELEBRATION ON JAN 06 AND 07) AT LALIBELLA Attending the ceremony starting from the eve of Christmas is very colorful. It is the birth of Jesus Christ “birth of Light”. Celebrate this day with in those unforgettable- internationally renowned Rock Hewn Churches. On this day the congregation at the church of Lalibella spills from the pews in to the aisle. Both males and females wrapped in white shawls, the edges embroidered mainly in Green, yellow and Red (the color of our flag).

The following day early in the morning there will be a breathtaking chant and dance of multitude of the priests, the people sing with joy a long the priests one after the other and among the swaying choir the priests (usually two) raps on drums, letting out a deep boom and female’s voice respond in a piercing chorus of ululations. Feels quite different – unique! -on the other world!

*************************************************** SPECIAL INETREST TOURS Ethiopia is one of the twelve bio-diversity centers in the world, and visitors with a special interest in nature, such as flowers and plants or butterflies, will find much to interest them. A butterfly tour would take in the Menagesha Forest near Addis Ababa, the Rift Valley Lakes, the Bale Mountains and the Awash Valley. (There are 8 families, 93 genera and 324 species to be found in Ethiopia.) A typical tour would take about 11 days in and out.

With flowers and plants we would take in the Bale Mountains, the Awash Valley and then cut across to ascend the escarpment of the Abyssinian Highlands.

About 10 days should be allowed.

Geologists will find the awash area particularly interesting, while a trip to Mount Ertale (the only volcano in the world with a permanent lava lake) would be a “must” – it can be accessed by road, with the ascent being made on foot with camels carrying the supplies, or by a helicopter flight from Mekele. A comprehensive tour, also taking in the Simien Mountains, would take about two weeks.

Study tours in areas such as education or health could be made anywhere in the country, according to the other interests of the group.

Ethiopia has a number of pilgrimage sites, Christian and Muslim, visited on certain days by thousands (in some places, tens of thousands) of pilgrims. The better known sites include: Mariamtsion Church in Axum, Debre Damo Monastery, Hamad al-Negash (site of the first Muslim settlement in the world), Gabriel Kulebi near Dire Dawa and Sheikh Hussain near Bale.