Ten Essential Things to Do When visiting Ethiopia

Ethiopia is a country in Africa that is considered to have played a very vital role in the history of man, having evidences of the earliest forms of humanity in the world. An interesting trivia about Ethiopia is the one where its Emperor Haile Selassie, circa 1952, was considered by the Rastas as the reincarnation of Jesus. If this is your first time to visit Ethiopia, the ten things above are a must-do for you to fully enjoy your stay in the magnificent, wildlife country of Africa, and you are best advised to always have a guide with you especially if you do not know how to speak their language as you could get lost in the wilderness.

1.) Safari
What is the point of going to Africa if you’re not there to see its magnificent wildlife and experience nature at its finest? Safaris can be done by foot or riding a mule. Most tourists though prefer going by jeep or any SUV available to see the wonderful sights a safari trip offers.

2.) Nature trekking or hiking
If you want to rub elbows with Africa’s wildlife in a controlled environment where you might feel safer, you can always visit their national park, the Simien Mountains. You can also ride ponies here for a more natural trekking experience. This is a wonderful experience for nature lovers.

3) Addis Ababa mercato
No one wants to leave a place he visited empty-handed especially if you’re visiting a country as rich in culture, heritage and history as Ethiopia. The mercato holds some of Africa’s best finds. Here, you can find tokens, mementos, native products, everything you want to bring home to remind you of Africa.

4.) Addis Ababa
The country’s capital, here you will find Ethiopia’s history in the National Museum. You can also see its history in its palaces the Menelik and the Jubilee, and the famous Revolution Square. Don’t forget though to visit the Cathedral of St. George and other historical sites in the city.

5.) Aksum
One of the earliest capitals of Ethiopia’s kingdom famous for its obelisks made out of granite is Askum. The architecture alone is breathtaking. To actually wander through one of the world’s best archeological sites is something to look forward to as well.

6.) Tissisat Falls
Also called the Blue Nile, its magnificent falls is postcard perfect and likewise breathtaking. You can go rafting or rapid shooting in some parts of the Blue Nile. If you are in Bahar Dar, the falls is just about approximately twenty or so miles from the place.

7.) Sailing, windsurfing and waterskiing
Ethiopia’s great lakes and rivers allow any tourist to enjoy water sports and recreation during their visit. Guides will be available to show you some of the greatest spots to go. You can indulge yourself in sailing or swimming in Lake Tana.

8.) Caves

Ethiopia also has some of the world’s greatest caving sites. Here, you can explore and discover the earliest signs of human existence in the country. Get to experience even briefly how its ancient people lived.

9.) Nature springs

This is visited for their therapeutic effects on the body. The country’s nature springs are a must when you’re visiting especially after a long trek in the wildlife. Here, you can relax those aching bones and muscles.

10.) Mountain climbing

A spectacular view from the top of the mountain in Africa is something every visitor should experience. You can always try the Bale Plateau for that grand view. Visitors are advised to bring their own gear as no gear is available for rent or sale

Lalibela: the Ethiopian Jerusalem

In the 1980 Ethiopia was largely known in the international press for two reasons. The first was the tragic famine that occurred in 1984-1985. The second, was the first exodus of Ethiopian Jews to Israel in 1984.
Ethiopia is known most significantly however, for its historic place in early Christianity. The town of Lalibela is among Ethiopia’s holy cities and is renown for a series of rock-hewn churches. As a sacred site, Lalibela is second only to the city of Askum. The most famous of these churches is Bete Giryorgis.

The overwhelming majority of the population are members of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church and of Amhara ethnicity. Lalibela’s layout reflects the buildings of Jerusalem. This is partly attributable to Gebre Mesqel Lalibela’s residence in Jerusalem during his youth. Gebre eventually rose to rule Ethiopia in the late 12th and 13th centuries CE.

The fall of Jerusalem to Muslims in 1187, is the second reason that Lalibela reflects patterns of Jerusalem. Biblical names are found throughout the region.

The first European to see these churches was the Portuguese explorer P? da Covilh?followed by the explorer Franscisco Alvares in the 1520s. Roughly three hundred years transpired until Gerhard Rohlfs, another European explorer visited Lalibela somewhere between 1865 and 1870.

Lalibela is home to 12 rock-hewn churches. They include Bete Medhane Alem, home to the Lalibela Cross, Bete Maryam, Bete Golgotha (known for its arts and said to contain the tomb of King Lalibela), the Selassie Chapel, the Tomb of Adam, Bete

The Ethiopian connections with Jerusalem and Semitic culture are further highlighted when remembering that Semitic languages, of which Amharic is one, represent a family of languages spoken by more than 300 million people across the Middle East, North Africa, and the horn of Africa. After Arabic, Amharic is the second most spoken Semitic language in the world

Amharic is spoken by the Amhara, an ethnic group in the central highlands of Ethiopia. The Amhara people comprise approximately 30 percent of the population, with about 27 million speakers. An additional 7-15 million people speak it as a second language. It has been the working language of government institutions, the military, and of the Ethiopic Orthodox church

In addition to Ethiopia, Amharic is also the language of some 2.7 million emigrants. The largest population of ?gr?live in Egypt, Israel, and Sweden.

Increasing numbers of Ethiopians and Eritreans have also emigrated to the United States. The Amharic language is also spoken in Eritrea by some Eritreans as a vestige of past years when Eritrea was part of the Ethiopia.

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