Arts & culture of the Ethiopian people.
--Ethiopia is a country of approximately 57 million people
of many diverse and colorful ethnic backgrounds — a melting pot of ancient Middle Eastern
and African cultures. It is also a country where recently may changes have taken place, but where many
ancient customs and traditions remain intact.
With a population of about 57 million, Ethiopia represents
a melting pot of ancient Middle Eastern and African cultures evident in
the religious, ethnic and language composition of its Semitic, Cushitic, Omotic and Nilotic peoples.
The Ethiopian peoples comprise about seventy eight nationalities of which the Amhara and the
Oromo constitute the majority, with about 60 percent of the total population.
Approximately 85 percent
of the population lives in the rural areas. The annual population growth rate is about 3 percent,
and the economically active segment, between ages 14 and 60, is about 50 percent of the total
population.
Amharic, Oromiffa and Tigrigna are the major languages used by two third of the population.
Amharic is the official language of the Federal Government. English is the medium of instruction in secondary
schools, junior colleges, and universities, and is widely used in business transactions, particularly in banking and insurance.
Arabic and Italian are also widely spoken.
Christianity and Islam are the main religions practised in Ethiopia. Other traditional
religions are also practised by a small section of the population, particularly in the South. There is freedom of religious practice in Ethiopia.
Traditions.
The coffee ceremony is a sacred tradition in Ethiopia, where
the beverage originated and is an integral part of the Ethiopian way of life.
Performing the ceremony is almost a requisite when you have a visitor at any time of the day.
The special coffee ceremony can take up to a few hours. The beans are roasted by hand, then
ground in a special way, then prepared in a special pot and poured into a special cup.
Of course, with coffee food is prepared, practically making a full meal of the affair.
In most parts of Ethiopia, the coffee ceremony takes place three times a day-in the morning, at noon and in the evening.
Religion.
The religions in Ethiopia are predominantly
Ethiopian Orthodox (or Monophysite Christianity) and Islam. Other religions
that are also practiced in Ethiopia include Judaism and Animism. The Animist faith is mainly found in
southern regions of Ethiopia, while further south in Somali and surrounding areas Islam is practiced.
Christianity is more common in the northern and central parts of Ethiopia, where Judaism and Islam can be found as well.
National Costume.
As diverse as their backgrounds are the traditional costumes of each region.
While European dress is worn in the major urban centers, the traditional shemma is seen frequently
on both men and women in the highlands. The shemma is a white cotton dress with a border of bright colors.
The pastoral peoples of the lowlands wear mainly leather clothing with bead or shell ornamentation, or brightly colored garments.
Fine-featured Hararies wear colorful, tight trousers and gauzy veils.
Among the Oromos the young girls wear their hair in two buns behind the ears, their foreheads circled with wreaths of silver, leaves or flowers.