This historic city in eastern Ethiopia was, for centuries, a major commercial center, linking India, the Middle East and Africa. Harar Jugol, the old walled city, was listed as a World Heritage Site in 2006 by UNESCO in recognition of its cultural heritage. It is considered the Fourth Holy City of Islam with 82 mosques, three of which date as far back as the 10th century, and 102 shrines.

Emir Nur ibn Mujahid, built a protective wall around the city between the 13th and 16th century. Four meters in height with five gates, this structure, called Jugol, is still intact and is a symbol of the town.

Much of the uniqueness of the city emanates from the rectangular houses with flat roofs and exceptional interior design. The living room of a traditional Harar home consists of five raised platforms of different levels where guests sit according to their status. The walls are decorated with colorful baskets and black bowls that are hung from roof to the sitting space. Space for the storing of equally colorful cups is built into the wall. 

At the end of the 19thcentury Indian merchants built new houses with wooden verandas. Their architectural and ornamental qualities are now part of the Harari cultural heritage. The present urban layout follows the 16th century design for an Islamic town with its central core occupied with commercial and religious buildings and a maze of narrow alleyways with imposing facades.

Among the things to see in Harar are notable buildings such as Medhane Alem Cathedral, the house of Ras Mekonnen, the house of Arthur Rimbaud, the sixteenth century Jami Mosque and historic Great Five Gates of Harar. In the night time you’ll have a chance to enjoy the captivating long-standing tradition of feeding meat to spotted hyenas which also evolved during the 1960s into an impressive night show for tourists.

Throughout the year, afternoon temperatures are warm to very warm, whilst mornings are cool to mild. Rain falls between March and October with a peak in August, whilst November to February is usually dry and the best time to visit.

Video of home: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xow-y_b45zU

Video Hyena feeding: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-72qgB7xgY

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The Maasai are a Nilotic group of people inhibiting the northern, central and southern Kenya and northern Tanzania. They are famous the world over for their distinctive custom, dress, dance and music.   They speak the Maa language and are semi-nomadic pastoralists who have adopted customs and practices such as the age set system of social organization, circumcision, and vocabulary terms.

Maasai society is strongly patriarchal in nature, with elder men, sometimes joined by retired elders, to decide the major matters for each Maasai group. Traditional Maasai  lifestyle centres around their cattle which constitute their primary source of food. Massai wealth is measured in cattle and children. For one to be considered well to do, he must own plenty of both and not just one. Cattel are also a method of payment in settling disputes.

One rite of passage from boyhood to the status of junior warrior is a circumcision ceremony performed without anesthetic. They must endure the pain that will lead them to manhood. Even though modern Massai undergo the circumcision with a doctor, the boy must endure the operation in silence as expressions of pain bring dishonor. The Maasai also believe and exercise female circumcision in a ceremony that initiates young Maasai girls into adulthood.

Beliefs

The Maasai people are monotheistic, and their God is named Engai or Enkai. The Maasai believe that at the beginning sky and earth were one, and the Maasai did not have any cattle. Then Engai or Enkai  let cattle descend from the sky along a bark rope, and the Maasai received all cattle that currently exists in the world. This belief justifies any act of rustling done by the Massai.

The Massai believe that death is the absolute end and anyone that has died has “completed their journey” and burial is harmful to the dead. As such, the traditional Massai do not bury their dead.

Clothing and Homes

Clothing varies by sex, age and place. Young men wear black for several months after their circumcision. Although, red is a favored color among the Maasai. Black, Blue, checkered and striped cloth are also worn. The cloth used to wrap around the body is the called Shúkà in the Maa language.

The traditional buildings are built using cow dung mixed with mud for the walls which have been structured using sticks and then grass and more sticks for the roof. They fence their villages in a circular fence that protects their families and cattle at night from wild animals.

This video captures the Massai men singing and dancing in traditional attire.

Sources:  “Maasai Education Discovery”. Maasaieducation.org. Archived from the original on 2007-06-06. Retrieved 2012-02-28.

The Last of the Maasai. Mohamed Amin, Duncan Willetts, John Eames. 1987. Pages 53, 54. Camerapix Publishers International. ISBN 1-874041-32-6

Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_xRTiLcSx4

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Eskista is a traditional Ethiopian dance, native to the Amhara region, performed by both men and women usually in a group. The dance involves rolling the shoulder blades, bouncing the shoulders, and jilting the chest. It is typically performed to traditional Ethiopian music, which in itself is produced with traditional instruments such as the krar, flute, drums and masinqo.

Like all African dances Eskista is a common sight at weddings, holiday celebrations and gatherings. It is common for money to be awarded to the one dancing the best. The money is stuck to the head of the dancer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jP04Ths1tho – dance video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rq6i4C5lR9g — Eskista at wedding

But similarities in the dance styles of East Africa exist after all. The Luhya tribe in western Kenya performs a similar dance called “amabegha khu mabekha”, which means ‘shoulders to shoulders’.

Did you know?

When you plan your trips with us there is a complimentary dinner at a traditional restaurant with a live performance of Eskista and other traditional Ethiopian dances.

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Beneath the ground surrounding Erta Ale is an enormous pool of active magma. The lake goes through cycles and will cool, form a black layer on top, and then suddenly convert back into liquid lava. Occasionally, due to pressure, “fountains” of lava will form, spewing lava in 6 to 13 foot-high plumes. Erta Ale has undergone seven eruption events in the past 125 years.

Erta Ale is notable for holding the longest-existing lava lake, present since the early years of the twentieth century (1906). Volcanoes with lava lakes are very rare; there are only eight in the world. Erta Ale often has two active lava lakes – making it quite a unique site.

Although in previous years the volcano was mainly visited from afar on a helicopter, in recent years visitors take excursions to the pit of the craters and view the lava lakes up close. The climb to the crater is preferably done in the evening after sunset due to high temperatures averaging 40°c in the area. The volcano continually releases ammoniac gas which makes it advisable to wear a nose mask when approaching the lava lake. The 9km climb takes 2-4 hours to complete. It is advisable to bring solid shoes, 2-3liters of water as well as hat and sunscreen if climbing in the day time. 

Watch this video by Strange Rover showing up close shots of the erupting lava lake in the night. Video — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTi8_KkqpKw

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Researchers agree that Ethiopia is the discovery place of the Coffee Plant. Once the stimulating effect due to its high caffeine content was discovered, coffee became popular around the world and was transported by missionaries and explorers to distant parts of the planet where it now accounts for over 50% of some developing nations’ foreign exchange earnings. As of 2018, Brazil was the leading grower of coffee beans, producing one-third of the world total. Read more about the History of Coffee.

The coffee tree averages from 5–10 m (16–33 ft) in height. Once ripe, coffee berries are picked, processed, and dried. Depending on the variety, it will take approximately 3 to 4 years for the newly planted coffee trees to bear fruit. The fruit, called the coffee cherry, turns a bright, deep red when it is ripe and ready to be harvested.  Dried coffee seeds (referred to as “beans”) are roasted to varying degrees, depending on the desired flavor. The first instant coffee was invented by inventor George Washington in 1909. Read on the detailed steps involved for your commercial coffee to reach from seed to cup.

In Ethiopia and Eretria, the coffee ceremony has brought neighborhoods together for many years. The coffee ceremony starts with the set-up of the small china cups over the box they are stored in, the “Jebena”- a clay pot used to brew the coffee and other essentials. The green coffee beans are then roasted in a pan over open flame. The pan is constantly shaken for the beans to roast consistently to a dark brown color. The beans are grounded and the grounded powder is then put in the Jebenna, which contains hot water. The Jebenna is left on the open flame until the water is well mixed with the coffee powder. When ready the coffee is poured into the small china cups and served with no sugar, sugar or salt. Coffee is traditionally accompanied by a small snack such as popcorn or traditional bread.  

Place an order for your own authentic Ethiopian Coffee  from the selection in our store. 

Read on—– http://www.ncausa.org/About-Coffee/10-Steps-from-Seed-to-Cup

History of coffee — http://www.ncausa.org/About-Coffee/History-of-Coffee

Coffee Ceremony —– https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-cRwZ1xe2A

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The Semitic languages are spoken primarily in the northern and central parts of the country. These include Ge’ez (an ancient language written from left to right unlike other Semitic languages), the Ge’ez descendent modern Tigrigna, and Amharic (Amharigna) which is the official national language of Ethiopia. Nearly 22 million people speak Amharic as their first language in Ethiopia and it has over 4 million second-language speakers.

The Cushitic languages are spoken in central, southern and eastern Ethiopia. These are spoken largely by the Oromo, Somali , Beja , Sidamo and Afar people. The Oromo language (Afaan Oromoo) is the most widely spoken language in Ethiopia with an estimated 34 million speakers.

The Omotic languages are predominantly spoken between the Lakes of southern Rift Valley and the Omo River. The Omotic languages include the Dorze, Gamo-Gofa, Hammer-Banna and Welaytta languages.

The Nilo-Saharan languages are largely spoken in the western part of the country mainly in Gambella and Benshangul regions. These include the Anuak, Gumuz, Mursi, Nuer, Nyangatom and Suri languages.

Some useful words and expressions:

Amharic  

Hello, How are you? – tadias tenayistillign

I am well – dehna  negn

Good bye – chau

Ok – ishee

Yes – awo

No – aydelem/ay

No problem – chigir yelem

Beautiful – konjo

Good – tiru

Today – zaré

Tomorrow – Nege

Thank you- ameseghinalehu

You’re welcome – minim aydelem

What is your name? – Simih mano (male) simish mano (female)

How much is the bill? – Hisab sintnewe?

Oromo

How are you? –  Akkam Jirtuu

How much..? – Meeqa

I am fine – fayya

What is your name? –  maqaan ke eenyu

Thank you – galatoomaa

No- laki/miti

Goodbye – Negaa-ti

I don’t want – Hin barbaadu

Yes – Heye

No problem – Rakoon Injiruu

Tigrigna

How are you? – Kemayle-ha? (male)  Kemayle-hee? (female)

How much? – Kendai?

Goodbye – Daahankun

Ok – hirai

Yes – ouwa

No – yechone

Thank you – yekanyelay

Today –  lomo anti

Tomorrow – naga

What is your name? – Shimka men yoe?

Source: www.omniglot.com

Source: www.omniglot.com

Sources:

http://www.ethiopiantreasures.co.uk/pages/language.htm

Philip Briggs, Ethiopia, The Bradt Travel Guide, Eighth Edition, 2019, published by Bradt Travel Guides Ltd, England, UK, ISBN 978 1 78477 099 0

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The Mursi (or Mun as they refer to themselves) are semi-nomadic indigenous inhabitants of the Nile Valley in Ethiopia close to the border with South-Sudan.  Surrounded by mountains between the Omo River and its tributary the Mago, the home of the Mursi is one of the most isolated regions of the country.

Language and Religion

The Mursi speak the Mursi Language which is a branch of the Nilo-Saharan language group. The Mursi believe in a God (Tumwi). He is believed to reside in the heavens although sometimes Tumwi manifests himself as a thing of the sky such as a rainbow or a bird. The principal religious and ritual office in the society is that of the Kômoru, the Priest or Shaman who acts as a means of communications between the community and Tumwi.

Culture and Livelihood

The Mursi depend heavily on cultivation and cattle herding for their livelihoods. Cattle are an essential part of transactions and social status especially in marriages.  They have a rich oral tradition through which they preserve and transmit their history, philosophical knowledge and moral stories. In fact the Mursi reach much of their community decisions through public debates.

The Mursi are commonly known to the outside world for their lip plates and body paintings. The lip-plate is an expression of female social adulthood. The mud lip-plates are traditionally worn by marriageable girls and child-bearing women. For marriageable girls, lip-plates are often worn at dances. Married women most often wear them while milking the cattle and serving their husband meals, since the lip-plate creates a graceful and poised movement. A girl will have her lip pierced when she reaches the age of around fifteen.

Generally, the Mursi paint for pragmatic rather than aesthetic reasons. Aesthetic body painting is only practiced by older boys, seeking to attract the attention of the girls and of one another. Adult men belong to named ‘age sets‘ and pass through a series of ‘age grades’, while married women take their age status from their husbands.

As boys and girls approach their full height, they begin to cut small notches into their skin which heal as decorative scars, called kitchoga. Girls get kitchoga on their chest, in a single arc shape over the breasts, and an ‘m’ shaped double arc on the upper arm.

Source: http://www.mursi.org/ ; https://www.atlasofhumanity.com/mursi

Photo Credit: Marc Veraart- Flickr, Rod Waddington – Flickr.

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The dress is traditionally ankle length and decoratively embroidered with Tilet, shiny threads, around the bottom and down the middle of the dress. The embroidery on the dress is matched with the embroidery on the shawl giving the outfit an elegant traditional look. The shawl is also made in bright colors to match any other outfit.

For men the embroidery is incorporated at the sleeves, collar, down the middle of a shirt and bottom of pants to on the traditional outfit for men.  

The Tilet is also often incorporated in modern outfits and bags by Ethiopian fashion designers. Some of the collections have been showcased at the New York Fashion Week, Hub of Africa Fashion Week, Africa Fashion week in New York among many. 

         Pictures from: Africa Fashion Week Website

Place an order for your own Habesha Kemis from the selection in our store. 

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The regions finest churches are situated high in the Gheralta Mountains. Visiting these churches is not for the faint hearted. The ascent involves steep climbs of nearly vertical rock with no rope at times. However the view from the top is to die for – pun intended. It is especially an exotic attraction to photographers and drone hobbyists. Watch this short video by Great Big Story for some great drone shots and the local people worshiping at the churches.

Here are some of the churches you might be interested in visiting if you dare the climb.

It is carved into the top of one of the tall rock pillars. The interior accessed through a crack in the rock, is beautifully decorated and preserved wall and roof murals thought to date from the 15^th century. The church is entered from a narrow ledge looking over a sheer drop of nearly 200m.

Watch this 8 min video by Regina Hopkins to get a personal feel of what this trip might feel like. 

Debre Mariam Korkor

This church is found northeast of Abuna Yemata Guh, on a small plateau found on a 2480m high mountain. The interior is large with art work on the walls and pillars said locally to date back to the 13^th century.  The foot ascent to the church takes about an hour. After passing the natural rock passage you can chose between a harder shorter route and an easier, 2-3 minute, longer route. 

Papaseit Maryam

The church is found a 3.5km drive out of Megeb. The trek to this cave church is flat and relatively less demanding passing through patches of acacia woodland and fig trees.  Inside are found cloth paintings depicting various Old and New Testament Stories from the Bible.  

The surrounding people carry their newborns up to the churches on the mountain for baptism believing the lower valley and more accessible churches are not powerful enough.

Abuna Abraham Debre Tsion

The biggest of the rock-hewn churches and within a manageable 1 hour hike, it is an impressive structure with an ornate exterior. It has a domed roof and pillars decorated in 14^th century paintings of Old Testament Figures. 

The church was excavated by a monk, Abuna Abraham, and is said to be buried below the church. There several other things to look out for all connected to Abuna Abraham’s life and stay at the church and of course like all the others views at the top make everything all the more worthwhile.

The immense significance of these churches to the local people is shown in this BBC Stories Video

The climax of the trip to the Gheralta Mountains will have to be ballooning over the Mountains early in the morning as the sun rises to great the day. The breathtaking view of the mountains simmering in the color of sunrise will be one to remember for a life time.

Plan your trip with us to enjoy this exciting Ballooning adventure!

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Bahir Dar being a tourist city, has a variety of hotels and restaurants to choose from according to your budget.  When choosing a hotel pick one where you have a view of the lake. Lake view rooms can be requested, if available, with no additional cost.

Evening walks through the city and a sit by the lake side to watch the sunset can be incredibly soothing activities for travelers who have free time after arriving in the day.

Getting there

Air: Ethiopian Airlines has several flights per day from Addis Ababa to Bahir Dar which takes about 45 min. It is the most convenient and comfortable mode of getting there. The aerial view of Addis upon take off and flying over the lake while descending to Bahir Dar can be enjoyable. 

Drive: A 10 hour drive can be arranged from Addis either privately or with public bus. Although this will be a long trip, the highlight will be that you get a personal feel of the Ethiopian landscape. It will also give you more time to converse with locals, be it your guide or fellow passengers.

• Lake Tana Tourist sights

Ura Kidane Mihret

This most frequently visited beautiful church was built in the 16^th century. Its maqdas is covered in a stunning jumble of murals painted between 250 and 100 years ago.  The paintings give a glimpse into medieval Ethiopia. A separate museum holds old crowns of Ethiopian Kings, leather bound bibles and other ancient artifacts.

The walk to the church has an adventurous ambiance with the sound of the trees shaken by Vervet Monkeys and butterflies fluttering over small pools. Birds such as parrots and hornbills can be spotted in the tress.

Azawa Mariam

 Azawa Mariam can be found continuing from Ura Kidane Mihret by boat, or following a 1.5km footpath through thick forest for those that want to continue with the forest theme. It is adorned with several 18^th century paintings and an attached treasury house containing antiques.

Narga Selassie

Situated on Dek Island and 3 hours boat ride from Bahir Dar, Narga Selassieis the most ornately decorated of the lake monasteries to visit. It was built in the 18^th century for Princesses Mentewab.  The main church, circular in shape and surrounded by stone pillars, is enclosed in a compound with domed turrets. The inner walls are edge to edge covered in paintings thought to date from the 18^th century. 

A visit to Ura Kidane Mihret and Narga Selassie would be a full day trip, including visits and return. For half day trip one can visit Ura Kidane Mihret and Azawa Mariam.

Blue Nile falls

Originating at Lake Tana, the Blue Nile Falls is one of Africa’s most spectacular waterfalls plunging over a 45m high rock face and locally known as Tis Isat. The 160m wide falls is usually best enjoyed in the rainy season (May to October), when the thunderous sound can be heard from far.  Its length is about 907 miles (1,460 km) and joins the While Nile in Khartoum forming the longest river in the world – The Nile River.

Getting there

First you must drive 38 km southeast of Bahir Dar to TisIsat where the ticket office is, and tour guides can be found. Then it is possible to either take a 45 min walk on a 2.2km route, of which 1.2km can be done by car. Another option is to walk through the village for about 500m then take a motorboat ride crossing the river then another 1km walk to the falls.

The longer path is more adventurous crossing the river below on the Alata Bridge, some dense riverine woodland that offers good birding, and the suspension bridge over the gorge, just before the falls, built in 2009.

The shorter path takes you through picturesque countryside with traditional huts, sugar cane and chat farms. Blue Nile camping is also found on this path close to the falls for those that would like stay near the falls.  

Tips: The Blue Nile Falls trip is best enjoyed in the morning while a rainbow can be seen on the falls on a sunny day and before the afternoon sun starts roaring.  If you find yourself in the area past 11 in the morning make sure to bring along hats, sunscreen and a good set of shades. Bring a raincoat if planning on getting close to the falls as the spray reaches anything with in a 500m radius. The water is muddy in the rainy season while white at other times, but the amount not as awe inspiring in the dry seasons.

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