Ethiopian Culture
Intrinsically etched into our minds as the capital city of famine, poverty and disease (cheers Sir Bob) today, Ethiopia is so much more than that. From the breathtaking landscapes of the Simien Mountains to the ancient site of Aksum, its rich and colourful culture is something to behold. It’s a pretty safe place to travel around, crime rates are low and the locals are friendly.
There are a couple of things you need to know before you travel. Firstly, don’t eat with your left hand – food is seen as a holy gift and eating with your left hand is a sign of disrespect. Alcohol is allowed – in some places it’s practically forced on you! I loved the traditional Tej – an unusual honey-flavoured wine, which you can buy in most bars. It has to be said though, the wines in general are not great and personally I’d opt for beer every time.
Ladies, don’t be alarmed if men avoid eye contact when talking to you – this is considered respectful (if a little off-putting!) If you’re travelling with a male companion then expect to be ignored, Ethiopian men will never directly address a foreign female and this is the case when shopping, travelling on buses and in restaurants and bars. Chaps, it’s good manners to keep a reasonable distance from your female travel companions, although this does take some getting used to. Homosexuality is illegal so don’t flaunt it.
Music, singing and dancing are joyous activities for the typical Ethiopian and form a crucial part of daily life. Singing promotes crop growth, dancing is a form of celebration at births, marriages and even deaths and music is traditionally created using stringed instruments; more recently modern Ethiopian jazz music is thriving and is now recognised across the world.
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