Cultural Perspectives of Ethiopia

Cultural Perspectives from Ethiopia

Ethiopia is a country located on the continent of Africa. It is the tenth largest country in Africa and is known as the "Horn of Africa", due to its large area of landmass ("Ethiopia", n.d.). It is often credited with being the origin of humans. Bones discovered in eastern Ethiopia date back to 3.2 million years ("A Brief History of Ethiopia", 2006). The Greek Historian Herodotus describes Ethiopia in his writings in fifth century B.C. The Old Testament also tells of the Queen of Sheba's visit to the son of King Solomon in Jerusalem which established the foundation of the Ethiopian Empire. The foundation of this Empire established it as the oldest independent country in Africa. Christianity became the main religion in the country around the 4th century A.D. when Ethiopia conquered the state of Meroe in Sudan. The following of Islam rose in the seventh century gradually cutting off Ethiopia from Christianity. Foreign missionaries were forced to leave in the 1630's due to religious conflicts between pro and anti-Catholic factions. This period of bitter religious conflict contributed to hostility toward Christians and Europeans, which persisted into the twentieth century and was a factor in Ethiopia's isolation until the mid-nineteenth century (Ethiopia- History, n.d.). The Italians invaded part of Ethiopia during World War II and expanded the country for five years. At the end of the war the monarchy was re-established and ruled until it was overthrown in 1974 by a new communist government backed by Russia. The Anti-Christianity communist government led the country and was overthrown in 1991 by the Eritrean People's Liberation Front. Ethiopia was declared independent on April 27, and the United States recognized its independence on April 28, 1993 (A brief history of Ethiopia, 2006).

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The culture of Ethiopia is very diverse. With a population of 61 million people there are eight different ethnic groups within Ethiopia, ("Ethiopia," n.d.). There are three major ethnic groups, The Oromo, Amahara, and Tigreans with seventy-five percent of the population belonging to these three groups. The Somali, Gurage, Afar, Awi, Welamo, Sidamo, and Beja are the additional ethnic groups which include the rest of the population ("Ethiopia," n.d.). Due to the different types of ethnic groups there are many different languages spoken within the country. There are eighty-two languages spoken in Ethiopia and four languages that are now extinct, ("Ethiopia," n.d.). Many different tribes and areas will speak their own languages and have their own types of customs due to the villages where they reside. For the past 150 years, Amharic has been the official language of Ethiopia.

In Ethiopia you will find four different types of social groups. These include the high-ranking lineage, low-ranking lineage, caste groups, and slaves. Most groups are assigned membership through birth and are based on their location and employment ("Ethiopia," n.d.) As in America, social class is determined by employment, labor, and possessions. Education is also a contributing factor of social status in Ethiopia. Someone's wealth is often based on "the amount of education, the neighborhood in which one lives, and the job one holds . . ." ("Ethiopia," n.d.). These qualifications and division of social class mimics the class standings we find in the United States being based on employment, education, and possessions.

The family is a major component to the Ethiopian country. Most families remain in one household and children are seen to be responsible for caring for their parents. You will sometimes find many different generations living within one household. Mostly women are seen

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to care for the daily domestic chores and men are seen as the income providers who work outside the home. Current society is showing that many women are also working outside the home but are still responsible for the domestic chores of the household. One interesting fact to be noted is that any man who is seen completing domestic tasks could become a social outcast within his community ("Ethiopia," n.d.). Children also play a major role in providing for the family and completing domestic chores. As stated before, children are view in this culture to be responsible for the care of their parents and will often play a major role in caring for the family. Often times the males of the family will work a far distance from the rest of the family but be required to send money back for the support of their families. They view this as their responsibility and will sometimes move their families closer to where they can find jobs ("Ethiopia," n.d.).

Marriage within the Ethiopian community is still an arrangement between the families; however, this practice is slowing becoming less frequent. The purchase of a dowry is still required and involves many different members of the family. The purchase is required from the female's family and the amount is based on the economic status of the male's family. The dowry can include many different things ("Ethiopia," n.d.). The traditions of the Ethiopian marriage are similar to the American customs as women wear white wedding dresses and the men wear tuxedos. They will also have a ceremony that includes that of a traditional ceremony including a feast of food that is prepared by both the groom and bride side of the family ("Ethiopia", n.d.).

The two major religions that you will find in Ethiopia are Christianity and Islam. Both religions have been seen throughout the decades and have often ruled in peace throughout hundreds of years ("Ethiopia", n.d.). As stated in this article, many Christian believers and

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Islamic believers have been seen together in worship and holding services together as a group. Christianity is seen however as the "dominant religion" and is "currently the unofficial religion" ("Ethiopia," n.d.). Judaism has also had its place found in the Ethiopian community but most Jewish Ethiopians have moved to other regions therefore those numbers are not as high as the Islam or Christian religion. Many Jews were also persecuted by the Israeli military within the past few hundred years limiting their numbers ("Ethiopia," n.d.). The major holidays of the Ethiopian community are also centered around their religious practices and beliefs as those of the American society.

There are many different holidays