Travel guide Ethiopia

This other name for Ethiopia refers to the country's historical cradle, the regions of Tigray, Amhara, Welo, Godjam and part of Eritrea. In the ^19th century, the territorial expansion led by King Menelik II gave Ethiopia its current borders. "Habescha" is the other name given by Ethiopians to their country.

Present at religious processions, weddings and cabarets(azmari bet), azmari are at the bottom of the social ladder, yet admired and respected. The instrument most often used is a single-stringed viol called masinqo, but they are sometimes accompanied by an accordion, a flute or a lyre(krar).

This qualifier refers to white people, but it's not always pejorative. It means something like "white and rich". It comes from the Arabic and Persian word farang, which already meant "Westerners" in the Middle Ages. On some roads, children in the countryside are sure to run behind your 4 x 4, shouting faranji.

Situated in the African Rift Valley, Ethiopia boasts more than twenty peaks exceeding 4,000 m in altitude. Staircase high plateaus, characteristic of the central and northern parts of the country, offer breathtaking panoramas and culminate in the Simien at Ras Dashan (4,550 m). Addis Ababa lies at an altitude of 2,600 m.

A staple of Ethiopian cuisine, this large wafer is made from tef, which grows exclusively in Ethiopia's highlands. The word injera is synonymous with life. It is served at every meal. A thick injera is placed at the bottom of the dish, into which pieces of meat(tebs) or vegetables(bayanet) are placed.

The Orthodox religion applies the same prohibitions as Judaism (no pork) and slaughter rules. In addition, there are almost two hundred days of fasting a year, before the major religious holidays, in particular fifty-five days with Fasika (Orthodox Easter), every Wednesday and Friday. An opportunity to discover vegetarian fasting food.

Pronounced "tchat". Abundantly consumed in the Horn of Africa and Yemen, khat is grown almost exclusively in Ethiopia, mainly in the Harar region, where the best shoots are found, but also in Wondo-Genet, in Guragé country and around Lake Tana. This euphoric plant has become increasingly popular.

One of the two sources of the Nile emerges from Lake Tana in northern Ethiopia. This Nile is called "blue" because its color is darker than that of the White Nile, which comes from Lake Victoria. The Ethiopian highlands, Africa's water towers, provide 60% of the Nile's water, and up to 75% during the rainy season.

It's not just the most beautiful church in Lalibela, but also a famous Ethiopian beer, the country's best soccer team and much more. Saint George is everywhere, and for good reason: he's Ethiopia's patron saint. Celebrated by a whole nation, Saint George slaying the dragon is, along with the Lion of Judah, one of the symbols of the Ethiopian emperors.

Tedj is a honey-based spirit reminiscent of mead, and has been drunk in small round glass decanters, or berelé, for centuries. It is said that one should always "drink the tedj in the berelé and express oneself with form". Keeping calm and speaking metaphorically is respect for politeness.

Pronounced "toukoul", this is the name given in Ethiopia to traditional rural dwellings, i.e. round wooden huts of one or two storeys, with walls covered in dried earth and a thatched roof. The first floor is occupied by the animals, while the family sleeps upstairs. They are also found in tourist lodges.

This dynasty emerged at the time of the collapse of the Axumite Empire, during the ^10th century, and succeeded the Solomonic dynasty. Its rulers, Agaw from the Lasta region, were newly Christianized. During this period, King Lalibela commissioned the construction of the eleven famous monolithic churches that bear his name today.