THIS IS ETHIOPIA: the country frozen in time

Ethiopia is a country that captivates unique in the world for its astonishing Rock carved [Music] constructions with spectacular Landscapes and a rich and distinct culture [Music] where some of the Wonders built by mankind exist it's one of the few African countries that was never colonized therefore it has been able to preserve its traditions and Customs over the years language religion and architecture have survived in Ethiopia without Colonial influence for centuries it's a country with unparalleled ethnic diversity a multiplicity of communities each with its unique culture are spread across the various Ethiopian regions furthermore it's a

land filled with national parks with a variety of Landscapes and extreme territories stay with me to discover what Ethiopia and its people are like why it's a unique country in the world the places you can't miss how life is in the country and so much more one Ethiopia is one of the oldest countries in the world with a territory that has remained intact for millennia in ancient times it was the center of the oxom might kingdom whose monarchs claimed descent from the Kings of Israel including David and Solomon later around the year 1000 the oxamate

empire was destroyed by the zague dynasty which had its capital in libella [Music] around the year 1270 the solomonic dynasty was restored with yuno amloc marking the beginning of the Ethiopian Empire or abisinia during the attempts at European colonization Ethiopia managed to remain independent in 1896 Italy succumbs to Ethiopia at the Battle of adwa it was a historic moment the first time an African nation defeated a European power later on in 1935 Italy attempted once again to occupy Ethiopia and succeeded in capturing Odis Ababa following melini's Invasion Emperor Hil salassi went into Exile in the

United [Music] Kingdom however Ethiopian resistance persisted and the Italian forces were expelled in 1941 the last ruler of the solomonic Dynasty and Ethiopian Empire was Emperor salassi who reigned until 1974 when the monarchy was abolished and the country became a People's Republic two there are several reasons explaining why Ethiopia remains an uncolonized country the geography of its territory makes it difficult to invade with high mountains rugged terrains and extremely Aid deserts with high temperatures on the other hand during the Scramble for Africa Ethiopia was led by Emperor menelik II [Music] he is said to have

been a strong leader who managed to unify various regions of the country and strengthen the Army triumphing in key battles against Italy finally even though Ethiopia is a country with immense ethnic and cultural diversity a shared national identity and social cohesion played a role in resistance to colonialism [Music] three Ethiopia officially the federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia is located in the Horn of Africa a peninsula in the northeast of the continent it is surrounded by several countries bordering erria to the north jibuti and Somalia to the east Sudan and South Sudan to the west and

Kenya to the South it has been landlocked since Atria gained its independence in 1993 it is one of the most populous countries in Africa and one of the largest in terms of land area Ethiopia's geography is so varied that different regions seem like different countries in the north and center the high and cold [Music] mountains on the border with erria and jibuti the hot desert [Music] regions the most prominent geographical feature of Ethiopia is the Great Rift [Music] Valley it is a massive geological fault that runs through Ethiopia from the Northeast to the Southwest it

is the cause of the country's volcanic and seismic [Music] [Music] activity in the Ethiopian Highlands are the Simeon Mountains and the Bale mountains and there are several important rivers primarily the Blue Nile which originates in Lake Tana the country's largest lake [Music] Lake each of these areas is home to various animal species some unique to this [Music] territory four the Ethiopian political system is a federal Democratic Republic with territorial organization divided into Regional states and cities with special status one of which is Addis Ababa the Ethiopian [Music] Capital due to the country's ethnic diversity these

states were chosen based on ethnic criteria that is the largest ethnic groups have their own region and State [Music] some of these state regions are the Somali Regional State the afar region the aromia region the amhara region and the t region five there are about 80 distinct ethnic groups living in Ethiopia the most numerous are the aromo amhara Somali tigia sidama W hadia afar among many others with smaller populations there are five official languages Oromo Amharic Somali tigia and afar with Amharic and aromo being the most spoken by far the Ethiopian writing system is G

or Amharic one of the oldest Scripts still in [Music] use the aromo the largest ethnic group are found in the central south of [Music] Ethiopia they are herders farmers Coffee Traders or Urban workers in big cities the amhara the second largest ethnic group are predominantly Farmers they also have a long history of governmental [Music] Administration for many centuries they have had significant influence on the country country's culture including the adoption of Ethiopian Orthodox [Music] Christianity the somalis live in the Somali region in eastern Ethiopia many are nomadic or semi-nomadic herders making a living from goat

and and camel livestock though some are also [Music] Farmers the Tigra or tigia live in the North above the [Music] amhara they are usually Farmers cultivating grains and legumes in the Highlands as you'll see this region is notable for its unique rocke [Music] churches the afar stand out for living in the most Aid and inhospitable areas of Ethiopia [Music] over the centuries they've developed techniques to adapt to the extremely hot environment of the danakil desert they have distinctive physical features that differentiate them from other ethnic [Music] groups they are predominantly nomadic herders their Lifestyles centered

on breeding and caring for livestock such as camels goats and sheep the most practiced religion among the afar is Islam combined with ancestral practices and beliefs in AAR culture family and Clan ties are fundamental Society is organized in to patrilineal Clans with each individual owing loyalty to their [Music] Clan conflicts are often resolved through traditional mediation and Justice [Music] systems men are responsible for tending the livestock and protecting the family and [Music] Clan meanwhile women perform most domestic chores raising children and taking care of the [Music] elderly six some of Ethiopia's minority ethnic groups live

in the omo valley in Southwestern Ethiopia with the omo river crossing savanas and jungles this river is a Lifeline for many of these tribes providing water and soils for agriculture and livestock [Music] one of these omo Valley ethnic groups is the [Music] hamare they are an agricultural and pastoral community that relies on livestock breeding such as goats and sheep these animals provide not only milk milk and meat but also have a social [Music] meaning for the humare members the amount of livestock one owns is an indicator of wealth and social [Music] status one of the

most important humare rituals is the bull jumping ceremony or Uli [Music] bua this right of passage for young males involves the youth walking without falling over a row of bulls if he successfully completes the test he's recognized as a man and deemed ready to marry and start his own family [Music] strikingly H women have a characteristic hairstyle decorated with red clay wearing copper necklaces and [Music] bracelets men often choose various Styles some shave their heads entirely and wear a type of fur others go for a half shave leaving a patch of hair to grow [Music]

seven the Caro who also reside in the omo valley are distinguished by the white paints they wear on their faces and [Music] bodies like other groups in this area they rely on agriculture cultivating sorghum Maze and beans on the land along the [Music] river for important ceremonies and rituals they Adorn themselves with white paint creating intricate designs on their [Music] skin a form of body art that serves as a means of expression and to symbolically represent social [Music] status Caro women often wear earrings jewelry and decorative scars called scarifications which are considered marks of beauty

and bravery eight another e ethnicity from this Valley is the mercy known for their practice of body modification particularly the insertion of clay plates into the lower lips of women Mercy men practice the donga a dueling ritual in which young males combat with long sticks to resolve disputes or establish status within the community also notable in the area is the banaana ethnic group whose young male members traditionally walk on stilts they have done this traditionally to avoid being attacked by wild animals although today it is a pasttime time for children and adolescents the arbore are

only a few thousand in [Music] population they practice subsistence farming and livestock breeding [Music] men can marry up to four women with marriages being [Music] arranged they believe in a Supreme Being they call wac one of the features of this tribe is their spirituality Legend has it that on one occasion a demon attacked them but they survived with their leaders emerging strengthened Elders are highly respected playing a significant role in the community's decision making nine the Great Rift Valley crosses through the omo valley running through the country up to arria it is a massive geological

fracture that starts in southeast Africa in mosm Beek and reaches the Red [Music] Sea it began forming millions of years ago but today it continues to grow slowly both in length and [Music] width over Millennia the Somali tectonic plate will separate from the African plate forming a new [Music] subcontinent the rift strip that runs through Ethiopia stands out for its vastness containing various Lakes each with a unique ecosystem [Music] Lake zi for example is known for its abundant aquatic Birds While Lake abiata stands out for its flamingos it is in the Great Rift Valley not

far from Addis Ababa where Lucy was found one of the oldest and most complete hominid fossils ever discovered at around 3 million years old hence Ethiopia is often called The Cradle of [Music] humanity Lucy named because the paleoanthropologists were listening to The Beatles song Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds when they found her was a female of the Australopithecus afarensis species who walked upright and could climb with her long [Music] arms 10 in Northern Ethiopia we find a geological wonder the danakil depression one of the Earth's lowest and hottest [Music] areas at times the climate

becomes extremely hot and the terrain is inhospital receiving little precipitation throughout the [Music] year it's a geologically dynamic Zone where three tectonic plates are pulling apart resulting in a landscape of molten lava Sulfur Springs and acidic Lakes the era Al located in the danakil desert is one of the few volcanoes in the world with an almost permanent Lava [Music] Lake it has been active since 1906 making it one of the longest lasting Lava Lakes on the [Music] planet it's a mesmerizing natural sight especially at night when the lava illuminates the sky with a red glow

another geological Wonder in the donil depression is the Dalal volcanic [Music] crater it's landscape would serve as a filming location for a sci-fi movie with sulfur Mounds Salt Ponds and colorful mineral [Music] formations this region of Ethiopia is recognized as one of the most tectonically active on the planet situated at the trilateral convergence of the Nubia Somalia and Arabia tectonic plates its spectrum of bright colors ranging from white to green yellow and red results from the chemical reactions to its thermal Waters with ground minerals danakil is also home to a field of geysers showcasing Aston

in shapes and colors and to vast salt Plains according to Legend this area was rich in Gold but the gods punished the inhabitants by turning the gold into salt for centuries workers have mined the salt from the ground cutting it into blocks they then transport it in Long camel Caravans despite the high temperatures and scarce water workers live and work here during the mining season this tradition remains alive today but is seen less frequently as roads have been built to transport the salt by trucks 11 to the south of donil but still in Northern Ethiopia

is lella it's a city with astonishing Rock Hune churches following auum it's Ethiopia's second most significant spiritual center the king for whom libella is named G mes albella wanted to construct a second Jerusalem after Muslims conquered the Holy Land because of this and its atmosphere filled with pilgrims prayers and biblical Ambiance libella is called the second Jerusalem it's a significant Center of Ethiopian Orthodox Christian faith during festivities such as Christmas and Epiphany thousands of pilgrims from all over the country Gather in libella to pray and sing in this city there are are 11 churches built

in the 12th century during the reign of King libella who according to Legend was assisted by Angels these are monolithic churches carved directly into solid volcanic rocks it is believed they were carved with very basic tools such as as Hammers and chisels they are connected by a series of tunnels and underground [Music] [Music] passageways some monks and Hermits live in small cells carved into the Rocks surrounding the churches one of these churches is be at gorgis or the Church of St George many view it as one of the miraculous human Creations to build it large

amounts of rock were removed today it remains an important pilgrimage site especially during the celebration of timot but let's look at others that are equally astonishing this one is beit Emmanuel which was possibly a royal Chaple next we have be at Mescal or House of the [Music] Cross this is beat ABA [Music] libanos and this other one is be at gogata Mikel 12 auum is the religious capital of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church the center of the ancient Kingdom of [Music] axum this city is known for its massive obelisks which are believed to Mark the graves

of the former rulers of the [Music] Empire the tallest the Obelisk of axum is thought to have been one of the tallest monolithic structures of antiquity one of the most intriguing places in Ethiopia is in AUM it's the Church of St Mary of [Music] Zion according to the Ethiopian Orthodox Church in a chapel adjacent to the main building lies the Ark of the Covenant which holds the tablets of the Ten Commandments It is believed to have arrived nearly 3,000 years ago and has been guarded by a succession of monks to this day Legend has it

that the Queen of Sheba a wealthy Queen mentioned in the Bible and the Quran traveled from auum to Jerusalem to visit King Solomon upon her return to auum she bore a son melanic who as an adult would journey to Jerusalem to meet Solomon his presumed [Music] father melanic returned with a group of Israeli Nobles who took the ark from Jerusalem when melanic learned learned of this he believed it was God's will for The Relic to remain with him since the ark's power did not destroy its [Music] bearers no one can view the ark except the

high priest who appoints a successor on his [Music] deathbed the locals are prepared to defend it with their lives a commitment that was evident during the teay War 13 axum is located in the t region home to a series of enigmatic Mountain carved churches built centuries [Music] ago the most breathtaking is auna yamata incredibly it's perched on this sheer Cliff face it's one of the world's most inaccessible [Music] churches named after St abuna yamata a fifth century priest Legend says he built the church after scaling the cliff [Music] access is only through a perilous Ascent

along narrow paths bordering the [Music] abyss the church's walls and ceiling are adorned with 15th century paintings these depict biblical episodes and portrayals of saints tombs of various Saints and monks can be found near the church close to abun yamata is Daniel corcor perched at top another Cliff offering views of te's mountainous Landscapes the church's isolation and the challenge of reaching it are considered by some as a test of faith like in other monasteries you might find Hermits or monks living nearby dedicating their lives to prayer and meditation the church's interior is decorated with frescos

of saints further North near the border with erria is [Music] deamo this Monastery can only be accessed or exited using a rope anchored to the rock wall [Music] tradition says God lowered the Rope to Aid abuna arawi the monastery's founder in reaching the [Music] top Monks at deamo lead simple austere lives in small cells and caves around the monastery Legend has it that these monks were the first to domesticate honeybees in Ethiopia 14 also in Northern Ethiopia are the blue n [Music] Falls the Cascade throws a Mist into the air leading to its local name

TS abai meaning smoke of the Nile [Music] the Blue Nile which starts at Lake Tana is one of the two main tributaries of the Nile River the other being the White Nile originating from Lake Victoria Lake Tana is Ethiopia's largest formed by volcanic activity thousands of years ago here locals sail in their Papyrus boats risking their lives as certain areas of the lake are home to hippos Africa's deadliest mammal 15 in the Ethiopian region of amhara heading north lie the Simeon mountains here is Ross dashan the highest peak of Ethiopia and one of the tallest

in [Music] Africa several endangered animal species have their habitat in this area [Music] one is the Ethiopian wolf similar to the coyote but with a longer and narrower head and a reddish and white coat it's one of the rarest canids in the world its population is only composed of a few hundred individuals another endangered species from this region is the Ethiopian mountain goat endemic to the country [Music] also living in the Simeon mountains is the Gela [Music] monkey unlike many other primates geladas spend most of their day on the ground instead of in trees [Music]

to protect themselves from predators such as hyenas or leopards they can sleep on [Music] cliffs they are distinguished from baboons by the colorful skin on their chest like other primate species they form small groups with one male several females and their offspring [Music] currently they are not considered endangered but their population has declined rapidly due to habitat loss and hunting 16 Addis Ababa whose name in Amharic means new flower is the largest metropolis and the capital of Ethiopia nestled in the central Highlands of the country [Music] as the financial cultural and administrative Center of Ethiopia

it ranks among the highest capitals in the [Music] world one of the most significant places in Addis Ababa is the national museum of Ethiopia where the fossilized skeleton of Lucy is located another iconic place is the Marcato one of Africa 's largest markets where one can find everything from local crafts and textiles to fresh food and [Music] spices there is also the Holy Trinity Cathedral built to commemorate The Liberation from Italian occupation it's the second most important place of worship in Ethiopia after the church of St Mary of Zion in [Music] oxum 17 East of

Addis Ababa is the city of harar known as the walled city of Islam where its Old Town stands out surrounded by a defensive [Music] wall within the walls is a maze of of narrow cobbled alleys with numerous Arabic style houses and historic [Music] mosques in harar there's a strange tradition since the' 60s feeding wild [Music] hyenas it began when a local farmer decided to feed them to prevent them from eating his livestock and it has continued to this day although now for touristic [Music] reasons some of these Ethiopian men name the hyenas and speak to

them in a mix of English and aromo feeding them with their mouths to make the activity more spectacular [Music] 18 another historic Ethiopian city is Gand close to the Simeon mountains which in the past was the capital of the Ethiopian [Music] Empire it is known as the city of castles as it features several of these structures a must visit is the fossil Gabby Fortress built in the 17th century which includes a series of castles Royal residences and Courtyards all surrounded by tall walls the main Castle or Filas Palace is a masterpiece of of the architecture

of the time 19 some of the Ethiopian national parks are located in the omo Valley area like the Mago National Park the country's first national park it's one of the last Wildlife refuges in Ethiopia for endangered species the habitats in the park rain from Acacia savanas to Gallery forests along the rivers allowing for high biodiversity here live lions leopards hippos buffalos cheetahs giraffes hyenas wild dogs Nile crocodiles zebras elephants among many other species [Music] another is the Nezar National Park characterized because part of its territory is covered by [Music] lakes in this park on the

northwest stretch of Lake chamoo there's an area known as crocodile Market where hundreds of Nile crocodiles gather to [Music] sunbathe until the 19th century elephant were common throughout much of Ethiopia and were distributed across the country except in the north unfortunately their population has experienced a sharp decline driven by poaching for Ivory and The Disappearance of their habitat currently there are only elephants in five or six areas of the country which could vanish if urgent measures are not taken 20 the year in Ethiopia is 13 months long 12 months of 30 days each and an

additional month that has five days in a regular year and six in a leap year the Ethiopian New Year or enkutatash is celebrated on the first of mesm which is September 11th in their Gregorian calendar or September 12th in leap years it can be celebrated Outdoors as it coincides with the end of the rainy season and the beginning of Spring in Ethiopia children often go door too singing songs and offering bouquets of flowers in return they are given a small gift such as money or bread Additionally the Ethiopian year is almost 8 years behind the

rest of the world due to the Ethiopian Church calculating the year of Christ's birth [Music] differently 21 what most confuses foreigners when they come to live in Ethiopia is the system of time measurement while the rest of the world considers a day as 24 hours in Ethiopia a day is divided into two cycles of 12 hours a daytime cycle from sunrise to sunset and a nighttime cycle from Sunset to Sunrise when the Sun rises an Ethiopian says it is 1 in the morning and when it gets dark it is 1 at night this makes sense

as Ethiopia is very close to the equator so daylight hours are consistent throughout the [Music] year the daytime with sunlight is typically 12 hours long and the nighttime in darkness is also 12 hours throughout the year sunrise and sunset happen at the same [Music] times if it were 700 in the morning on a western clock in Ethiopia they would say it's the first hour of the day because an hour has already passed since their day began the same goes for Sunset if it were 7 in the evening in a western country in Ethiopia they would

say it's the first hour of the night 22 the most practiced religion in Ethiopia encompassing people from all ethnic groups is Ethiopian Orthodox [Music] Christianity according to tradition Christianity was introduced in the 4th Century with the arrival in the Kingdom of akum of a Greek speaking missionary named frumentius who converted King aana through this encounter Christianity began to spread in the region this Orthodox Christianity developed its own Traditions over the centuries combining elements of the Old Testament Jewish tradition and the teachings of the New Testament it is notable for its Devotion to local Saints biblical

figures and its religious [Music] ceremonies on the other hand the arrival of Islam dates back to 6:15 when the prophet Muhammad sent a group of his followers to seek refuge in the Kingdom of akum however it wasn't until the 11th century that Islam began to spread more widely in the region 23 the celebrations of Ethiopian Christianity are very different from those in other countries where this religion is [Music] practiced timat is an important day for Ethiopian Orthodox Christians it's the celebration of the Epiphany the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River it not only commemorates

the baptism of Jesus but is also a celebration of renewal and purification it is seen as an opportunity to rejuvenate the spirit and reaffirm the foundations of Christian belief it is celebrated on January 19th which in the Ethiopian calendar is the 10th day of tur the celebration of timot Begins the day before known as Kera replicas of the Ark of the Covenant called tabot are carried in procession by priests under large colorful umbrellas followed by a crowd of Believers timot Day is when the reenactment of the baptism takes place before Dawn people gather around the

water where the procession was held a high-ranking priest performs the blessings of the water water is then sprinkled on the faithful some of whom dive in to symbolize their own baptism and purification 24 another religious holiday is Christmas called GNA celebrated on the day Jesus was born for the Ethiopian Orthodox Church this day is the 29th of tasas in their calendar which corresponds to January 7th in the western Gregorian calendar Ethiopian Orthodox Christians fast for 43 days known as Som nebat or the fast of the prophets they cannot eat meat or drink alcohol 25 Ethiopia

has produced some of the best long distance runners in history who typically come from three ethnic groups the aromo the Amara and the T gry the reason Ethiopian athletes are so enduring is that these ethnicities come from the country's Highlands living and training at high altitudes leads to Natural physiological adaptations that enhance endurance moreover in Ethiopia running is a part of life for some rural communities children in these areas may have to run long distances from an early age to go to school which develops aerobic endurance 26 besides Christians and Muslims there are Jews in

Ethiopia called beta Israel believed to have arrived in the country from Egypt during The Exodus or after the destruction of the first temple in Jerusalem in the mid 20th century they began immigrating from Ethiopia to Israel where most currently reside being recognized by the Israeli State since 1975 as authentic Jews 27 a curious Ethiopian custom due to the strangeness it might evoke in foreigners is the gersa in Ethiopia it's common to eat with one's hands and share a large communal tray during a meal an Ethiopian might take a piece of inera a type of flatbread

use it to pick up some food and then place it in another person's [Music] mouth this act is called gersa and its size can indicate the level of respect one has for another person a larger gersa might be seen as a sign of Greater inection conversely refusing aersa can be seen as offensive as it's considered a friendly gesture 28 polygamy in Ethiopia was abolished although there is a small percentage of communities that practice it according to the law marriage must be between two individuals however Rel religious laws are recognized if both parties are followers of

the same custom or religion it's more commonly practiced among the afar and Somali ethnic groups while less common among the Amara and Tigra moreover some interpretations of Islam allow polygamy though this is subject to variation and debate in any case this practice is declining particularly in urban areas and among the younger [Music] Generations 29 the Rastafari movement which began in Jamaica in the 1930s has strong connections to Ethiopia rosarians regard highly salasi whose name was rosari before becoming Emperor as a Divine [Music] figure he was revered as the promised Messiah who would Liberate the black

race a belief rooted in sasi's supposed descent from the Queen of Sheba and King Solomon [Music] even though salasi denied being the Messiah rastas continue to believe he is a messenger from God in rastari theology Ethiopia is considered the promised Zion Paradise on Earth it is seen as the place from which people of African descent originate and to which they must ultimately return 30 Ethiopia is the birthplace of coffee according to Legend one day an Ethiopian Shepherd named CDI noticed that his goats were behaving strangely jumping around excitedly he thought the cause might be a

small bush with red berries so he tried them and noticing the same effects ran to tell his wife and then some monks who over time began consuming the berries to better concentrate on their meditations Ethiopian coffee is cultivated in various regions of the country each with unique characteristics in terms of altitude climate and soil it is the most produced and most exported Ethiopian product the traditional process of its preparation is is an Ethiopian cultural experience the coffee [Music] ceremony the beans are roasted in a small clay pot and then hand ground with a mortar the

coffee is brewed in a clay pot called habina and is served in small cups 31 let's talk about traditional Ethiopian food Doro B is considered the national dish of Ethiopia it is a spicy chicken stew slow cooked with a mixture of spices such as bere or n kba it is served with inera and sometimes accompanied by boiled [Music] eggs kitfo is raw minced beef seasoned with spices and butter served with inera and seasoned with a spicy mix of spices called meat [Music] Maita TBS is a dish with beef or lamb sauteed with onion peppers and

spices which can be spicy or mild served with in Hera vegetables or [Music] salads shirro is a thick paste similar to hummus made from legume flour like lentils or chickpeas mixed with spices and oil and can include meat or vegetables 32 life in Ethiopia depends on each ethnic group and income level although much of the population lives in rural areas it's common for Ethiopians to live in Humble dwellings and settlements families typically own cows goats camels and other livestock life in general is economical though vehicles are very expensive due to high import taxes Ethiopia is

situated in tropical latitudes so in areas of the country with low elevation there are high temperatures but in the Highland areas the climate is more temperate from September to February there is a long dry season followed by a short rainy season in March and April May tends to be hot with little rainfall and in June July and August there is another rainy season this time longer the lowest temperatures are usually between December and January and the highest between March and may 33 Ethiopia is one of the fastest growing economies in the [Music] world this is

mainly due to its robust agricultural activity its growing service sector and an increasing push into the manufacturing industry however despite this growth parts of of its population still live in [Music] poverty agriculture is the main pillar of the Ethiopian economy with the cultivation of grains legumes vegetables and fruits along with livestock breeding coffee stands out as a vital export item in Ethiopia alongside legumes and oil seed crops [Music] in recent years the Ethiopian textile industry has seen significant growth and has become a key sector favored by affordable labor and a series of incentives provided by

the government [Music] major International brands have set up factories in the country producing textiles and garments for export similarly tourism has experienced significant growth with an increase in the number of visitors attracted by the rich history culture and natural [Music] landscapes 34 the the Ethiopian military is one of the most powerful in Africa and one of the oldest in the world with its Origins dating back to the first millennium BC it has existed in various forms throughout history from the times of the oxum Empire to the modern professional Army it is today its size is

due in part to the country's relatively large population and its location in a conflict prone region notably its victory in the Battle of adwa in 1896 against the Italians during the first Italo Ethiopian war allowed Ethiopia to maintain its independence during the Scramble for [Music] Africa given Ethiopia's mountainous topography its military has developed a significant capability to fight at high altitudes this was evident during the Ethiopia erria War where the mountainous terrain was a major [Music] factor over the years it has been an influential element in the country's internal conflicts including that of the te

[Music] region 35 if you're traveling to Ethiopia there are certain behaviors Ethiopian customs and tips that are valuable to know a typical greeting involves three kisses on each cheek for both men and women although it might be four or five if you haven't seen the other person in a long time it's better not to drive the country has has a high rate of traffic accidents it's advisable to learn some Amharic words as Ethiopians will appreciate it and it will endear you to them Salam means hello a means thank you is please and is how are

you if you interact with eth iian families with children a gift can leave a lasting positive impression you don't necessarily need a local guide to visit the country but it can be very helpful especially for those with little travel [Music] experience avoid criticizing the country or making negative comments as it may be offensive steer clear of discussing political matters matters issues related to tensions among different ethnicities or religious topics if you want to show interest in someone ask about their region or how their children are doing but avoid giving direct advice and don't ask about

their ethnicity also avoid complaining or raising your voice too [Music] much be very cautious with food and drink don't drink unbottled water and eat foods that are well cooked if possible avoid salads or vegetables washed with non-potable water don't take photos of people without asking as it can be considered rude or offensive in general for tourists it is a safe country but it's important to take basic safety precautions like not carrying valuable items and not displaying [Music] wealth depending on when you visit some regions of the country might be in conflict or dangerous so it's

important to stay informed the most recent conflict is the te War the te region led by the T people's Liberation Front entered into a conflict with the Ethiopian federal government accusing them of consolidating too much power and discriminating against the T [Music] people this led to a major humanitarian crisis with hundreds of thousands of deaths human rights abuses and massive displacements of [Music] people after a series of negotiations with the te people's Liberation Front Ethiopia declared an indefinite humanitarian truce however tensions might flare up [Music] again in conclusion Ethiopia is a truly fascinating country a

Melting Pot of ancient cultures and traditions of beautiful landscapes and a history as old as Humanity itself we leave with a sense of wonder at its beauty and diversity and with the intention to talk about this extraordinary corner of Africa again see you soon