Ethiopia, The Country That Follows A 13-Month Calendar, And Is 7 Years Behind The Rest Of The World!



Ethiopia, might not come to your mind when you think of a place for a vacation, and that’s where you will be going wrong. It is one of the most intriguing places that we know of, and there is enough to support the fact. The country is a melting pot of scenic natural wonders, fascinating history, rare wildlife, and deep-rooted identity. In short, visiting Ethiopia is like a trip back in time.

It is one of the most scenically beautiful and fertile countries in Africa, which is exactly the opposite of the presumed notion of being famine and drought infected. Its landscape is graced with things as diverse as castles, deserts, rare wildlife, and much more, you must be wondering why Ethiopia is an underrated travel destination. Well, this is because many are not aware of some of the mind-blowing facts about this country. Read on to know more.

13 months in a year
There are many cultures around the world that have and follow their own calendars, which is exactly not the same as the Western Gregorian calendar. However, despite that, they abide by the rule of 12 months a year. An Ethiopian year is comprised of 13 months, and is seven years behind the Gregorian calendar. In fact, Ethiopians celebrated the new millennium on September 11, 2007; this is because the Ethiopians continued with the same calendar that the Roman church amended in 525 AD.



While the first 12 months have 30 days, the last month, called Pagume, has five days and six days in a leap year.

Till date, Ethiopia uses its ancient calendar, which hardly creates any inconvenience for travellers because of the calendar difference. However, most Ethiopians these days are now aware of the Gregorian calendar, and some even use both calendars interchangeably.

Ethiopia, being one of the few countries in the world, still uses its own calendar system. The country celebrates some important holidays on days that are different from the rest of the world.

Coffee originated here

It is believed that a goat herder way back, centuries ago, noticed that his flock is attracted to a certain kind of bush, and later decided to try it for himself one day. Well, after that day, his herding capability significantly improved and made him more efficient. Legends say that coffee industry took it off from here. So, now you know the origin of your morning coffee shots.

Land of the oldest people
As per various archaeological findings, the Afar region in Ethiopia suggests in several ways that the country might be the place, from where we originated. In 1974, Lucy was discovered here, a 3.2-million-year-old hominid skeleton, which makes it the oldest fossilised skeleton.


The dominant religion that people follow here is orthodox Christianity. This means that those who follow this religion, which will be around half the population, fast for 200-250 days a year approximately. The way they fast is not the way you will imagine, fasting for Ethiopian means instead of abstaining from eating, they abstain from all animal products, i.e., eggs, meat, dairy. Fasting also leads up to religious holidays, and Ethiopia has loads of them; not to forget that people fast every Wednesday and Friday throughout the year. It also means the restaurants will always tend to have a few delightful spicy vegan stews on the menu.


It is the only African country that has never been under the colonial control—and it is a fact that the locals will never get tired of boasting. The Italians managed to colonise it in 1935 and remained to rule the country with the military for six years. However, the Ethiopian forces opposed the military rule the entire time, eventually freeing the country from the oppressors. Some locals like to describe the situation as, “We waited until they had built us railways and nice buildings… and then kicked them out.”




Lalasticlala. Mynd44. Ednited
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/travel/destinations/ethiopia-the-country-that-follows-a-13-month-calendar-and-is-7-years-behind-the-rest-of-the

You don minit?

Nice one....

Ethiopia entered the year 2013 on the 11 of September 2020 when we are already 7 years ahead




Why Ethiopia is seven to eight years behind the rest of the world

The Horn of Africa nation follows a calendar similar to the ancient Julian calendar, which started disappearing from the West in the 16th century. The world has adopted the Gregorian calendar, a calendar constituting 365 days in a year and 366 days in a leap year.

However, Ethiopia uses the Coptic Calendar, which puts it years behind the rest of the world. The difference in year numbering is believed to be because the Ethiopian Orthodox Church disagrees with the Roman Catholic Church about when Christ was born.

Thus, in contrast to the Gregorian calendar, which is factored in the calculation of the year in which Jesus was born, the Ethiopian Church adopted a calendar tied to the calculation of the Annunciation (Jesus’s conception, not birth) arrived at by Egyptian monk-historian Annianus of Alexandria.

Now let’s do the Mathematics

A year in the Ethiopian calendar is 13 months long, with 12 months of 30 days each. The last month has five days in a common year and six days during a leap year.

As in the Julian calendar, a leap year in the Ethiopian calendar happens every four years without exception. While most Christians celebrate Christmas on December 25, Ethiopians celebrate Christmas on January 7 alongside many Orthodox Christian churches around the world.

“…Because of the adaptation of the Coptic Calendar, the country of Ethiopia celebrates New Year on September 11th! This is because the Ethiopian Calendar, as stated above, follows the Coptic Calendar which was fixed to the Julian Calendar in 25 BC by Emperor Augustus of Rome with a start date of 29 August, thus establishing the New Year on this day.

“Here, September 11th is in accordance with the Gregorian Calendar; in other words, it is September 11th for the world except Ethiopia, where it is August 29, the New year,” explained in an article on Mind Blowing Facts.






https://face2faceafrica.com/article/ethiopia-marks-new-year-heres-why-the-country-is-in-2013-when-the-world-is-in-2020

we learn everyday

Should we tell them what to expect in 2020?

Ethanuella:
Should we tell them what to expect in 2020?

shish! let them reach

I love Ethiopia

Upton:
You don minit?

Yes oh my friend. Ednited from Ethiopia will explain better

And they are living in our 2050.... no problem continue

The world is a mysterious place this is frontpagd worthy lalasticala do the needful

Ethiopia - Language, Culture, Customs and Etiquette




Facts and Statistics
Location: Eastern Africa, west of Somalia

Capital: Addis Ababa

Climate: tropical monsoon with wide topographic-induced variation

Population: 110+ million (2019 est.)

Ethnic Make-up: Oromo 32.1%, Amara 30.1%, Tigraway 6.2%, Somalie 5.9%, Guragie 4.3%, Sidama 3.5%, Welaita 2.4%, other 15.4% (1994 census)

Religions: Christian 60.8% (Orthodox 50.6%, Protestant 10.2%), Muslim 32.8%, traditional 4.6%, other 1.8% (1994 census)

Government: federal republic







Language in Ethiopia
Ethiopia has many indigenous languages (84 according to the Ethnologue, 77 according to the 1994 census), most of them Afro
Asiatic (Semitic, Cushitic, Omotic), plus some that are Nilo-Saharan.
English is the most widely spoken foreign language and is the medium of instruction in secondary schools and universities. Amharic was the language of primary school instruction, but has been replaced in many areas by local languages such as Oromifa and Tigrinya.
After the fall of the Derg regime in 1991, the new constitution of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia granted all ethnic groups the right to develop their languages and to establish mother tongue primary education systems. This is a marked change to the language policies of previous governments in Ethiopia.

Society and Culture
The People
Ethiopia is a multi-cultural and multi-ethnic country. Religion is a major influence in Ethiopian life. Nearly half the population belongs to the Ethiopian Orthodox Church but there is a also large Muslim population. Others adhere to an ancient form of Judaism.
The Ethiopian Orthodox Church is proud of its origins. The country embraced Christianity in the 4th century, long before Europe. The feast of the Epiphany ("Timkat" is the largest festival of the year. The Orthodox Church dominates the political, cultural, and social life of the population. It was the official religion of the imperial court and of the establishment until Haile Selassie was deposed in 1974.
Muslims are important in the business community. They tend to live in the eastern, southern, and western lowlands, although there are considerable numbers in Addis Ababa.

The Family
The extended family remains the focus of the social system. It includes relatives on both sides of the family as well as close friends. Quite often the husband’s parents will live with the nuclear family when they get older and can no longer care for themselves. When people marry, they join their families, thus ensuring that there will always be a group to turn to in times of need.

Individuals achieve recognition or social standing through their extended family. A family's honor is influenced by the actions of its members. Family needs are put before all other obligations, including business.






Etiquette and Customs in Ethiopia
Meeting Etiquette
Ethiopian greetings are courteous and somewhat formal.
The most common form of greeting is a handshake with direct eye contact.
The handshake is generally much lighter than in Western cultures.
After a close personal relationship has been established people of the same sex may kiss three times on the cheeks.
Across genders, men should wait to see if a woman extends her hand.
Greetings should never be rushed. Take time to inquire about the person’s family, health, job, etc.
People are addressed with their honorific title and their first name.
“Ato", "Woizero", and "Woizrity" are used to address a man, married woman, and unmarried woman respectively.
Elders should be greeted first.
It is customary to bow when introduced to someone who is obviously older or has a more senior position. Children will often be seen doing so.

Gift Giving Etiquette
Gifts may be given to celebrate events of significance or religious occasions.
Since Ethiopia is an extremely poor country, expensive gifts are not the norm.
In fact, giving a gift that is too expensive may be viewed negatively. It may be seen as an attempt to garner influence or it may embarrass the recipient as they will not be able to match it in kind.
If you are invited to an Ethiopian’s home, bring pastries, fruit, or flowers to the host.
A small gift for the children is always appreciated.
Do not bring alcohol unless you know that your host drinks. Most Muslims and Amharic people do not.
Gifts are not opened when received.
Gifts are given with two hands or the right hand only; never the left hand.

Dining Etiquette
Ethiopians are hospitable and like to entertain friends in their homes.
An invitation to a private home should be considered an honour.
Punctuality is not strictly adhered to although considerable lateness is also unacceptable.
You may have to remove your shoes at the door.
Dress well.
Shake hands with each guest individually.
A woman should offer to help the hostess with the preparation or clearing up after a meal is served.
You will always be offered a cup of coffee. It is considered impolite to refuse.
Ethiopians are relatively formal and believe table manners are a sign of respect.
Do not presume that because food is eaten with the hands, there is a lack of decorum.
Expect a small earthenware or metal jug to be brought to the table before the meal is served. Extend your hands over the basin while water is poured over them.
Only use the right hand for eating.
Hierarchy dictates that the eldest person is the first to take food from the communal plate.
Guests are often served tasty morsels by another guest in a process called "gursa". Using his hands, the person places the morsel in the other person’s mouth. Since this is done out of respect, it is a good idea to smile and accept the offering.
Expect to be urged to take more food. Providing an abundance of food is a sign of hospitality.
The meal ends with ritual hand-washing and coffee.

Coffee Drinking
The Kaffa province in Ethiopia is renowned for its coffee.
Coffee is a national drink and its drinking is a ritualized process that generally takes at least an hour.
If invited for a formal coffee you may be seated on pillows or grass and flower-strewn floor with frankincense burning in the background.
A woman or young boy enters the room to wash and roast the beans over charcoal.
The roasted beans are then hand-ground and added to boiling water.
Sugar is put into small cups without handles and the water/coffee mixture is added.
Inhale the aroma of the coffee before sipping.
The first round (called "awol" is served, starting with the eldest.
When the first cup is finished, the "jebena" (coffee pot) is refilled with water.
The second round (called "tona" is then served. It is weaker than the first since the same ground beans are used.
The third round (called "baraka" is served after boiling water is again added to the jebena.
Always sip the coffee slowly.

Tipping
Tipping has been a part of Ethiopian custom for many years. Although there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to tipping, it’s worth bearing in mind that many waiting staff in restaurants are entirely dependent on tips as a means to earn their living.



Business Etiquette and Protocol
Meeting Etiquette
Greetings are formal and courteous.
Handshakes are somewhat prolonged and not especially firm.
They are always combined with strong, direct eye contact.
There is generally no touching between the sexes; however, if a foreign businesswoman extends her hand, a cosmopolitan Ethiopian may accept it to avoid causing her offense.
Never rush greeting; inquire about people’s families, health and work.
Government officials may be addressed as "Excellency" without using their name.
Wait to be invited before moving to a first name basis without the honorific title.
Business cards are given without formal ritual.
Present and receive business cards with the right hand only or with both hands.

Communication Style
Ethiopians can be very sensitive when it comes to communication. Since they have only recently begun working with foreigners in business situations they are still getting used to new ways of doing business and communicating.
As a general rule, they are humble and respect that quality in others. They generally speak in soft tones. Loud voices are seen as too aggressive. Ethiopians pride themselves on their eloquent speaking style and expect others to speak clearly and use metaphor, allusion, and witty innuendos. They often use exaggerated phrases to emphasize a point.
As a rule, Ethiopians tend to be non-confrontational and offer what they believe is the expected response rather than say something that might embarrass another. Honour and dignity are crucial to Ethiopians and they will go out of their way to keep from doing something that could bring shame to another person. Therefore, it is important to treat your
Ethiopian business colleagues with utmost professionalism and never do anything that would make them lose dignity and respect.

Business Meetings
Meeting schedules are not very rigid in Ethiopia. There may be an agenda, although it is not part of the local culture. If one is used, it functions as a guideline for the discussion and acts as a springboard to other related business topics.
Since relationships are extremely important, meetings start with extended social pleasantries. You will be offered tea or coffee and will be expected to ask questions about the other person and respond to questions about yourself.
Meetings seldom have a scheduled ending time since it is considered more important to complete the meeting satisfactorily than be slavishly tied to the clock. The meeting will end when everyone has had their say and the most senior Ethiopians decide that there is nothing left to be discussed.
Performing favours indicates friendship. Therefore, Ethiopians feel obliged to do something if asked by a friend. Since they generally only conduct business with people they consider friends, they have difficulty saying "no" to requests from business associates. This does not indicate that they will do what they have agreed to do, however.



Ednited
https://www.commisceo-global.com/resources/country-guides/ethiopia-guide

I've seen so many beautiful Ethiopians... Including Dina Fikadu. But Ednited stands out

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGSUy46Sqlo

Ethiopian music

Countries in Africa Considered Never Colonized



There are two countries in Africa considered by some scholars to never have been colonized: Ethiopia and Liberia. The truth, however, is that brief periods of varying levels of foreign control during their early histories have left the question of whether Liberia and Ethiopia truly remained fully independent a subject of debate.

Key Takeaways
Ethiopia and Liberia are widely believed to be the only two African countries to have never been colonized.
Their location, economic viability, and unity helped Ethiopia and Liberia avoid colonization.
Ethiopia was officially recognized as an independent state in 1896, after decisively defeating invading Italian forces at the Battle of Adwa. During its brief military occupation during World War II, Italy never established colonial control over Ethiopia.
Despite being founded by the United States in 1821 as a place to send its free Black residents, Liberia was never colonized after gaining its full independence in 1847.
Between 1890 and 1914, the so-called “scramble for Africa” resulted in the rapid colonization of most of the African continent by European powers. By 1914, around 90% of Africa was under European control. However, because of their locations, economies, and political status, Ethiopia and Liberia avoided colonization.

What Does Colonization Mean?
The process of colonization is the discovery, conquest, and settlement of one political body over another. It is an ancient art, practiced by the Bronze and Iron Age Assyrian, Persian, Greek, and Roman empires, not to mention the post-colonial empires of the United States, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada.

But the most extensive, most studied, and arguably the most damaging of the colonial actions is what scholars refer to as the Western Colonization, the efforts of the maritime European nations of Portugal, Spain, the Dutch Republic, France, England, and eventually Germany, Italy, and Belgium, to conquer the rest of the world. That began in the late 15th century, and by World War II, two-fifths of the world's land area and one-third of its population were in colonies; another third of the world's territory had been colonized but were now independent nations. And, many of those independent nations were made up primarily of the descendants of the colonizers, so the effects of Western colonization were never truly reversed.

Never Colonized?
There are a handful of countries that were not subsumed by the juggernaut of Western colonization, including Turkey, Iran, China, and Japan. In addition, the countries with longer histories or higher levels of development before 1500 tend to have been colonized later, or not at all. Characteristics that drove whether or not a country was colonized by the West appear to be how difficult it is to reach them, the relative navigation distance from northwestern Europe, and the lack of a safe overland passage to landlocked countries. In Africa, those countries arguably included Liberia and Ethiopia.

Considering it essential to the success of their economies, the imperialistic European nations avoided the outright colonization of Liberia and Ethiopia—the only two African countries they considered viable players in the trade-based world economy. However, in return for their apparent “independence,” Liberia and Ethiopia were forced to give up territory, agree to differing degrees of European economic control, and become participants in European spheres of influence.

Ethiopia
Ethiopian troops leaving Addis Ababa before defeating the Italian invaders at the Battle of Adwa, during the war of 1896.
Ethiopian troops leaving Addis Ababa before defeating the Italian invaders at the Battle of Adwa, during the war of 1896. Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Ethiopia, formerly Abyssinia, is one of the world’s oldest countries. Dating to around 400 BCE, the region is documented in the in the King James Version of the Bible as the Kingdom of Axum. Along with Rome, Persia, and China, Axum was considered one of the four great powers of the era. Throughout the millennia of its history, the willingness of the country’s people—from farmers to kings—to come together as one, coupled with its geographic isolation and economic prosperity, helped Ethiopia score decisive victories against a series of global colonialist forces.

Ethiopia is considered “never colonized” by some scholars, despite Italy's occupation from 1936–1941 because it did not result in a lasting colonial administration.

Seeking to expand its already considerable colonial empire in Africa, Italy invaded Ethiopia in 1895. In the ensuing First Italo-Ethiopian War (1895-1896), Ethiopian troops won a crushing victory over Italian forces at the Battle of Adwa on March 1, 1896. On October 23, 1896, Italy agreed to the Treaty of Addis Ababa, ending the war and recognizing Ethiopia as an independent state.

On Oct. 3, 1935, Italian dictator Benito Mussolini, hoping to rebuild his nation’s prestige lost in the Battle of Adwa, ordered a second invasion of Ethiopia. On May 9, 1936, Italy succeeded in annexing Ethiopia. On June 1 of that year, the country was merged with Eritrea and Italian Somalia to form Africa Orientale Italiana (AOI or Italian East Africa).

Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie made an impassioned appeal for assistance in removing the Italians and re-establishing independence to the League of Nations on June 30, 1936, gaining support from the U.S. and Russia. But many League of Nations members, including Britain and France, recognized Italian colonization.

It was not until May 5, 1941, when Selassie was restored to the Ethiopian throne, that independence was regained.


Liberia
Modern downtown Monrovia, Liberia
Modern downtown Monrovia, Liberia. Patrick Robert/Corbis via Getty Images

The sovereign nation of ​Liberia is often described as never colonized because it was created so recently, in 1847.

Liberia was founded by Americans in 1821 and remained under their control for just over 17 years before partial independence was achieved through the declaration of a commonwealth on April 4, 1839. True independence was declared eight years later on July 26, 1847. From the middle 1400s through the late 17th century Portuguese, Dutch, and British traders had maintained lucrative trading posts in the region that became known as the “Grain Coast” because of its abundance of melegueta pepper grains.

The American Society for Colonization of Free People of Color of the United States (known simply as the American Colonization Society, ACS) was a society initially run by white Americans who believed there was no place for free Blacks in the U.S. They believed the federal government should pay to return free Blacks to Africa, and eventually its administration was taken over by free Blacks.

The ACS created the Cape Mesurado Colony on the Grain Coast on Dec. 15, 1821. This was further expanded into the Colony of Liberia on Aug. 15, 1824. By the 1840s, the colony had become a financial burden on the ACS and the U.S. government. In addition, because it was neither a sovereign state nor a recognized colony of a sovereign state, Liberia faced political threats from Britain. As a result, the ACS ordered the Liberians to declare their independence in 1846. However, even after gaining its full independence a year later, the European nations continued to view Liberia as an American colony, thus avoiding it during the scramble for Africa in the 1880s.

Some scholars argue, however, that Liberia's 23-year period of American domination until independence in 1847 qualifies it to be regarded as a colony.




https://www.thoughtco.com/countries-in-africa-considered-never-colonized-43742

robosky02:
Ethiopia, The Country That Follows A 13-Month Calendar, And Is 7 Years Behind The Rest Of The World!



Ethiopia, might not come to your mind when you think of a place for a vacation, and that’s where you will be going wrong. It is one of the most intriguing places that we know of, and there is enough to support the fact. The country is a melting pot of scenic natural wonders, fascinating history, rare wildlife, and deep-rooted identity. In short, visiting Ethiopia is like a trip back in time.

It is one of the most scenically beautiful and fertile countries in Africa, which is exactly the opposite of the presumed notion of being famine and drought infected. Its landscape is graced with things as diverse as castles, deserts, rare wildlife, and much more, you must be wondering why Ethiopia is an underrated travel destination. Well, this is because many are not aware of some of the mind-blowing facts about this country. Read on to know more.

13 months in a year
There are many cultures around the world that have and follow their own calendars, which is exactly not the same as the Western Gregorian calendar. However, despite that, they abide by the rule of 12 months a year. An Ethiopian year is comprised of 13 months, and is seven years behind the Gregorian calendar. In fact, Ethiopians celebrated the new millennium on September 11, 2007; this is because the Ethiopians continued with the same calendar that the Roman church amended in 525 AD.



While the first 12 months have 30 days, the last month, called Pagume, has five days and six days in a leap year.

Till date, Ethiopia uses its ancient calendar, which hardly creates any inconvenience for travellers because of the calendar difference. However, most Ethiopians these days are now aware of the Gregorian calendar, and some even use both calendars interchangeably.

Ethiopia, being one of the few countries in the world, still uses its own calendar system. The country celebrates some important holidays on days that are different from the rest of the world.

Coffee originated here

It is believed that a goat herder way back, centuries ago, noticed that his flock is attracted to a certain kind of bush, and later decided to try it for himself one day. Well, after that day, his herding capability significantly improved and made him more efficient. Legends say that coffee industry took it off from here. So, now you know the origin of your morning coffee shots.

Land of the oldest people
As per various archaeological findings, the Afar region in Ethiopia suggests in several ways that the country might be the place, from where we originated. In 1974, Lucy was discovered here, a 3.2-million-year-old hominid skeleton, which makes it the oldest fossilised skeleton.


The dominant religion that people follow here is orthodox Christianity. This means that those who follow this religion, which will be around half the population, fast for 200-250 days a year approximately. The way they fast is not the way you will imagine, fasting for Ethiopian means instead of abstaining from eating, they abstain from all animal products, i.e., eggs, meat, dairy. Fasting also leads up to religious holidays, and Ethiopia has loads of them; not to forget that people fast every Wednesday and Friday throughout the year. It also means the restaurants will always tend to have a few delightful spicy vegan stews on the menu.


It is the only African country that has never been under the colonial control—and it is a fact that the locals will never get tired of boasting. The Italians managed to colonise it in 1935 and remained to rule the country with the military for six years. However, the Ethiopian forces opposed the military rule the entire time, eventually freeing the country from the oppressors. Some locals like to describe the situation as, “We waited until they had built us railways and nice buildings… and then kicked them out.”




Lalasticlala. Mynd44. Ednited
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/travel/destinations/ethiopia-the-country-that-follows-a-13-month-calendar-and-is-7-years-behind-the-rest-of-the

Well, Ethiopia is one big rebellious country

robosky02:
I've seen so many beautiful Ethiopians... Including Dina Fikadu. But Ednited stands out

Oh Robo, AM BLUSHING

ednited:


Oh Robo, AM BLUSHING

Hmmmmm Ednited


Miss you.... A lot




Welcome dear

robosky02:


Yes oh my friend. Ednited from Ethiopia will explain better

It has to do with Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahdo church.

We have 12 months with 1 extra month. The 12 months have 30 days each and the extra one has 5 days and it becomes 6 in each leap year. We gave every year a name as (zemene mathias, zemene Markos, zemene Lucas and zemene yohannes). As you call them Mathew, Mark, Luke and John in English. The first is Mathias, second is Markos, then Lucas and last comes Yohannes. In a completion of these four years, the last month will have 6 days. One year consists of 365 with an addition of a quarter day. The summation of four years will be 366 days.

Gregorian calendar is made by the name of gods. Even the days in a week, Monday/ moon day? Sunday/ Sun day?
one month has 28 days, one month has 30 and then again 31. . .what is that? Just to fit the 365 days in 12 months, it became a hot mess. I am sorry but we really have to know the behind story.

robosky02:

Hmmmmm Ednited


Miss you.... A lot




Welcome dear

Same here, really long time

robosky02:
Ethiopia - Language, Culture, Customs and Etiquette




Facts and Statistics
Location: Eastern Africa, west of Somalia

Capital: Addis Ababa

Climate: tropical monsoon with wide topographic-induced variation

Population: 110+ million (2019 est.)

Ethnic Make-up: Oromo 32.1%, Amara 30.1%, Tigraway 6.2%, Somalie 5.9%, Guragie 4.3%, Sidama 3.5%, Welaita 2.4%, other 15.4% (1994 census)

Religions: Christian 60.8% (Orthodox 50.6%, Protestant 10.2%), Muslim 32.8%, traditional 4.6%, other 1.8% (1994 census)

Government: federal republic







Language in Ethiopia
Ethiopia has many indigenous languages (84 according to the Ethnologue, 77 according to the 1994 census), most of them Afro
Asiatic (Semitic, Cushitic, Omotic), plus some that are Nilo-Saharan.
English is the most widely spoken foreign language and is the medium of instruction in secondary schools and universities. Amharic was the language of primary school instruction, but has been replaced in many areas by local languages such as Oromifa and Tigrinya.
After the fall of the Derg regime in 1991, the new constitution of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia granted all ethnic groups the right to develop their languages and to establish mother tongue primary education systems. This is a marked change to the language policies of previous governments in Ethiopia.

Society and Culture
The People
Ethiopia is a multi-cultural and multi-ethnic country. Religion is a major influence in Ethiopian life. Nearly half the population belongs to the Ethiopian Orthodox Church but there is a also large Muslim population. Others adhere to an ancient form of Judaism.
The Ethiopian Orthodox Church is proud of its origins. The country embraced Christianity in the 4th century, long before Europe. The feast of the Epiphany ("Timkat" is the largest festival of the year. The Orthodox Church dominates the political, cultural, and social life of the population. It was the official religion of the imperial court and of the establishment until Haile Selassie was deposed in 1974.
Muslims are important in the business community. They tend to live in the eastern, southern, and western lowlands, although there are considerable numbers in Addis Ababa.

The Family
The extended family remains the focus of the social system. It includes relatives on both sides of the family as well as close friends. Quite often the husband’s parents will live with the nuclear family when they get older and can no longer care for themselves. When people marry, they join their families, thus ensuring that there will always be a group to turn to in times of need.

Individuals achieve recognition or social standing through their extended family. A family's honor is influenced by the actions of its members. Family needs are put before all other obligations, including business.






Etiquette and Customs in Ethiopia
Meeting Etiquette
Ethiopian greetings are courteous and somewhat formal.
The most common form of greeting is a handshake with direct eye contact.
The handshake is generally much lighter than in Western cultures.
After a close personal relationship has been established people of the same sex may kiss three times on the cheeks.
Across genders, men should wait to see if a woman extends her hand.
Greetings should never be rushed. Take time to inquire about the person’s family, health, job, etc.
People are addressed with their honorific title and their first name.
“Ato", "Woizero", and "Woizrity" are used to address a man, married woman, and unmarried woman respectively.
Elders should be greeted first.
It is customary to bow when introduced to someone who is obviously older or has a more senior position. Children will often be seen doing so.

Gift Giving Etiquette
Gifts may be given to celebrate events of significance or religious occasions.
Since Ethiopia is an extremely poor country, expensive gifts are not the norm.
In fact, giving a gift that is too expensive may be viewed negatively. It may be seen as an attempt to garner influence or it may embarrass the recipient as they will not be able to match it in kind.
If you are invited to an Ethiopian’s home, bring pastries, fruit, or flowers to the host.
A small gift for the children is always appreciated.
Do not bring alcohol unless you know that your host drinks. Most Muslims and Amharic people do not.
Gifts are not opened when received.
Gifts are given with two hands or the right hand only; never the left hand.

Dining Etiquette
Ethiopians are hospitable and like to entertain friends in their homes.
An invitation to a private home should be considered an honour.
Punctuality is not strictly adhered to although considerable lateness is also unacceptable.
You may have to remove your shoes at the door.
Dress well.
Shake hands with each guest individually.
A woman should offer to help the hostess with the preparation or clearing up after a meal is served.
You will always be offered a cup of coffee. It is considered impolite to refuse.
Ethiopians are relatively formal and believe table manners are a sign of respect.
Do not presume that because food is eaten with the hands, there is a lack of decorum.
Expect a small earthenware or metal jug to be brought to the table before the meal is served. Extend your hands over the basin while water is poured over them.
Only use the right hand for eating.
Hierarchy dictates that the eldest person is the first to take food from the communal plate.
Guests are often served tasty morsels by another guest in a process called "gursa". Using his hands, the person places the morsel in the other person’s mouth. Since this is done out of respect, it is a good idea to smile and accept the offering.
Expect to be urged to take more food. Providing an abundance of food is a sign of hospitality.
The meal ends with ritual hand-washing and coffee.

Coffee Drinking
The Kaffa province in Ethiopia is renowned for its coffee.
Coffee is a national drink and its drinking is a ritualized process that generally takes at least an hour.
If invited for a formal coffee you may be seated on pillows or grass and flower-strewn floor with frankincense burning in the background.
A woman or young boy enters the room to wash and roast the beans over charcoal.
The roasted beans are then hand-ground and added to boiling water.
Sugar is put into small cups without handles and the water/coffee mixture is added.
Inhale the aroma of the coffee before sipping.
The first round (called "awol" is served, starting with the eldest.
When the first cup is finished, the "jebena" (coffee pot) is refilled with water.
The second round (called "tona" is then served. It is weaker than the first since the same ground beans are used.
The third round (called "baraka" is served after boiling water is again added to the jebena.
Always sip the coffee slowly.

Tipping
Tipping has been a part of Ethiopian custom for many years. Although there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to tipping, it’s worth bearing in mind that many waiting staff in restaurants are entirely dependent on tips as a means to earn their living.



Business Etiquette and Protocol
Meeting Etiquette
Greetings are formal and courteous.
Handshakes are somewhat prolonged and not especially firm.
They are always combined with strong, direct eye contact.
There is generally no touching between the sexes; however, if a foreign businesswoman extends her hand, a cosmopolitan Ethiopian may accept it to avoid causing her offense.
Never rush greeting; inquire about people’s families, health and work.
Government officials may be addressed as "Excellency" without using their name.
Wait to be invited before moving to a first name basis without the honorific title.
Business cards are given without formal ritual.
Present and receive business cards with the right hand only or with both hands.

Communication Style
Ethiopians can be very sensitive when it comes to communication. Since they have only recently begun working with foreigners in business situations they are still getting used to new ways of doing business and communicating.
As a general rule, they are humble and respect that quality in others. They generally speak in soft tones. Loud voices are seen as too aggressive. Ethiopians pride themselves on their eloquent speaking style and expect others to speak clearly and use metaphor, allusion, and witty innuendos. They often use exaggerated phrases to emphasize a point.
As a rule, Ethiopians tend to be non-confrontational and offer what they believe is the expected response rather than say something that might embarrass another. Honour and dignity are crucial to Ethiopians and they will go out of their way to keep from doing something that could bring shame to another person. Therefore, it is important to treat your
Ethiopian business colleagues with utmost professionalism and never do anything that would make them lose dignity and respect.

Business Meetings
Meeting schedules are not very rigid in Ethiopia. There may be an agenda, although it is not part of the local culture. If one is used, it functions as a guideline for the discussion and acts as a springboard to other related business topics.
Since relationships are extremely important, meetings start with extended social pleasantries. You will be offered tea or coffee and will be expected to ask questions about the other person and respond to questions about yourself.
Meetings seldom have a scheduled ending time since it is considered more important to complete the meeting satisfactorily than be slavishly tied to the clock. The meeting will end when everyone has had their say and the most senior Ethiopians decide that there is nothing left to be discussed.
Performing favours indicates friendship. Therefore, Ethiopians feel obliged to do something if asked by a friend. Since they generally only conduct business with people they consider friends, they have difficulty saying "no" to requests from business associates. This does not indicate that they will do what they have agreed to do, however.



Ednited
https://www.commisceo-global.com/resources/country-guides/ethiopia-guide

Robo the Ethiopian

ednited:


Robo the Ethiopian

ፈገግታዎች

ግን ኢትዮጵያን እንድወድ አደረከኝ

እና አንድ ቀን በእርግጠኝነት ለእረፍት ወደ ኢትዮጵያ እጎበኛለሁ

robosky02:






ፈገግታዎች

ግን ኢትዮጵያን እንድወድ አደረከኝ

Google is working out well for you huh?

Am soo happy but the pronoun tho hehe

ednited:


It has to do with Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahdo church.

We have 12 months with 1 extra month. The 12 months have 30 days each and the extra one has 5 days and it becomes 6 in each leap year. We gave every year a name as (zemene mathias, zemene Markos, zemene Lucas and zemene yohannes). As you call them Mathew, Mark, Luke and John in English. The first is Mathias, second is Markos, then Lucas and last comes Yohannes. In a completion of these four years, the last month will have 6 days. One year consists of 365 with an addition of a quarter day. The summation of four years will be 366 days.

Gregorian calendar is made by the name of gods. Even the days in a week, Monday/ moon day? Sunday/ Sun day?
one month has 28 days, one month has 30 and then again 31. . .what is that? Just to fit the 365 days in 12 months, it became a hot mess. I am sorry but we really have to know the behind story.

Nice one here

You know am still learning.. Lol

From you

ednited:


Google is working out well for you huh?

Am soo happy but the pronoun tho hehe

You think so?
Lol


አህማርክ እያንዳንዱ አፍሪካዊ እንደ እንግሊዝኛ መናገር ያለበት ትልቅ ቋንቋ ነው

robosky02:




Nice one here

You know am still learning.. Lol

From you

Oh c'mon. Though I always try to think how the world could have appeared if Africa wasn't colonized. Europeans made up a crazy story on everything and made us believe it. Now they made an African generation who has no idea of what they are doing and we must fight that thinking. Many foreigners keep saying ' why you Ethiopians act like this? Just appear as the rest of the world. You gotta stop being dramatic and etc. . '. There was always a better reason why our Grandpas left us this. We don't have to go crazy every time the world does cuz we do have a reason. And I am pretty sure the rest of Africa wouldn't have followed GC if there was no colonization. I respect other religion too, not forcing on pressuring others to follow like us but still this way or the other, no one would like follow god.

Just trying my best to share every bit of information I have.

robosky02:



You think so?
Lol


አህማርክ እያንዳንዱ አፍሪካዊ እንደ እንግሊዝኛ መናገር ያለበት ትልቅ ቋንቋ ነው

That's true tho

Chinesse are now learning the language lol

Don't know why but rumor has it

ednited:


That's true tho

Chinesse are now learning the language lol

Don't know why but rumor has it

Truth be told


If Africa have not been colonized by all these English, French and Portuguese


And have followed Ethiopia

The African continent would have been the strongest


By the way I don't believe any Westerner is superior to me


Cos I don't see Africa as the black race



Like Lucky Tube put it when I see an African I see Gods image and when I see a European I see God image

robosky02:




Truth be told


If Africa have not been colonized by all these English, French and Portuguese


And have followed Ethiopia

The African continent would have been the strongest


By the way I don't believe any Westerner is superior to me


Cos I don't see Africa as the black race



Like Lucky Tube put it when I see an African I see Gods image and when I see a European I see God image

Great definition!
Africa is not just a poor, hopeless place. We need to change our glasses to see the truth. There is much more hidden.

In fact, they even made us blind. It is now our responsibility to save ourselves.

I still imagine myself as an Igbo man writing in my native nsibidi, but the white man and our earlier professors threw it away, I still wish to learn it though....

My love for Ethiopia and Kenya eh