Interesting Facts About Ethiopia

Cradle of Human beings

Ethiopia is the land of the origin of the first human species, that is justified with discover of Lucy, “Lucy” was found in 1974 by an American Paleo Anthropologist and they have been listening to the music called “Lucy in the sky with Diamonds” from where she got her name. Lucy aged 3.2 million years and its scientific name is Australopithecus Afarensis.

In breaking news scientists working in Ethiopia have discovered a skeleton of a three – years old girl ” Selam” who lived 3.3 million years ago, that is 150,000 years before Lucy . It is found in Dikaka area, in North Eastern Ethiopia. Dikika Research Project Paleoantropolgical Research Team Leader, Dr. Zeresenay Alemsegd of the Max Plank Institute in Leipzig, Germany said that “The Skeleton is the earliest and most complete ever found”. Out of the 14th human and pre-human fossils that have so far been uncovered around the world, 10 are from Ethiopia, this underscores that Ethiopia is the origin of Human kind.

Ethiopian Calendar

Ethiopia still retains the Julian calendar, in which the year is divided into 12 months of 30 days each, and a 13th month of five days and six days during the leap year. The Ethiopian Calendar is almost eight years behind the Gregorian calendar.

Meskerem

September 11, 2006 – October 10, 2006

Tikimit

October 11, 2006 – November 9, 2006

Hidar

November 10, 2006 – December 9, 2006

Tahisas

December 10, 2006 – January 7, 2007

Tir

January 8, 2007 – February 7, 2007

Yekatit

February 8, 2007 – March 9, 2007

Megabit

March 10, 2007 – April 8, 2007

Miyazya

April 9, 2007 – May 8, 2007

Ginbot

May 9, 2007 – June 7, 2007

Sene

June 8, 2007 – July 7, 2007

Hamle

July 8, 2007 – August 5, 2007

Nehase

August 6, 2007 – September 5, 2007

Puagme

September 6, 2007 – September 10, 2007

Ethiopian Alphabet and Numbers

Ethiopia is the only African country with its own Alphabet Letters and numbers that traces its origin back to Sabean. The Ethiopian Alphabet consists of 33 letters each with 7 characters. In Earlier times and also currently in rural areas people start school in “Kies Timehrt” and ” Yeneta” is a title given to Ethiopian Traditional primary teachers. Most of the time these primary Alphabet teachers are priests from the Ethiopian Orthodox church.

Birth Place of Coffee

Ethiopians have a very beautiful traditional coffee ceremony, its unimaginable for most Ethiopians to start a new day with out several cups of coffee. Coffee is the best drink an Ethiopian family offers to honor guests, as coffee ceremony is the best occasion for a get-together with neighbors and friends. Ethiopian coffee ceremony might have been crated with the discovery of coffee itself in its south western heartland, in particular place called “Kaffa” from which, many experts of the uniquely fragrant and relaxing bean believe, the firm coffee has originated and joined the international lexicon. Coffee, café, etc

Ethiopia a land of wonders and ancient Misery

Tiya pre Historic Stalaes: Are located twenty km further from Adadi Mariam, a church believed to have been found between 12th and 15th century. The 36 stelae, which are probably tomb stones are listed as world heritage by UNESCO

Lalibela rock-hewn churches – is found in the Last area of Wollo, which is famous site for the eleven remarkable rock-hewn monolithic churches, which has been built by King Lalibela in the late 12th century. Those notable structures are carved inside and outside of the solid rock and are accredited globally among the wonders of the world. Each building of the churches is architecturally unique and is decorated with fascinating rock paintings.

Castles of Gondar & Church of Debre-Berhan Selassie – Gondar, situated in northwestern part of the country, Gondar was the 17th and 19th century capital of Ethiopia. Its medieval glory is reflected in the famous castles of the emperors of the time. Debre Berhan – Selassie Trinity Church which was built during the reign of Emperor Eyasu I (1682-1708) in Gondar City, Which famous for colorful paints on the ceilings.

The Simien Mountain Massif – Is named by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, which is found twenty kilometers north -east of Gondar, it covers 179 square kilometers of highland area at an average elevation of 3,300 meters. Ras Dashen, at 4,620 meters is the highest peak of Ethiopia and the 4th highest mountain in Africa stands adjacent to the park. It is a home of unique wild animals and birds like Walia (Abyssinian) Ibex, Simien red fox and Gelada Baboon – all endemic of Ethiopia as well as the Hamadryas baboon, Klipspringer and bushbuck. Birds such as the lammergeyer, augur buzzard, Verreaux’s eagle, Kestrel and falcon soar above this mountain retreat.

The Walled City of Harar – one of the old cities founded in 7th century AD. Especially renowned for its minarets and holy shrines. And have a remarkable housing, it’s thick and strong old walls, called the Gate of Harar, and the colorful dressing personality of the duller. Another miraculous phenomenon is the drama of the man feeding hyenas from meat held in his own hands.

Ethiopia a Land or Runners – it was Abebe Bikila who is pioneer in Olympic champion running barefoot through the streets of Rome in 1960 in Marathon and doubled his gold medal for years later in Tokyo Olympic and then his successor Mamo Wolde won in Marathon title in Mexico Olympic in 1968. Mirutse Yifter, nicknamed Yifter the gear shifter, won double Olympic gold medals in 5,000 and 10,000 in Moscow Olympic in 1980 since then Ethiopian dominate the men’s long distance race around the world. . Haile Gebreslassie is the greatest athlete of all time, his double Olympic victories 10,000 meters four successive world championship titles spanning eight years and seventeen world records are some of the proofs of this and the young kenensa Bekele nicknamed “Abnbesa” the lion with many Ethiopians.

And in Females Derartu Tulu become the first African to win the Olympic title in Barcelona and again in Sydney Olympic with breathtaking last lap of 60.26 seconds, setting a new Olympic world record in 10,000 meters. Fatuma Roba followed with a marathon gold medal in Atlanta Olympic. Gete wami won 10,000 meters world championships in Seville, Spain in 1999 and following them there are lot’s of young emerging athletes like Turinesh Dibaba, Meserte Defar and Egigayehu Dibaba

The Great Ethiopian Run … is a race which will be taking place starting from year 2000 under the director of famous athlete Haile Gebreslassie, this year 25,000 people were participating and among them are Ambassadors, famous people, and people who come to race from other African countries and around the globe it’s mixed of all people having fun, making awareness and sharing friendship among people.

To find out more information about Ethiopia or Travel and Vacation Information. Go to www.ethiopianexcursions.com