Ethiopia is one of the most unusual African countries. Its ancient origin, the influence of Christianity and Judaism contributed to the creation of a unique culture of Ethiopia, with the elements of which we briefly and get acquainted. Residents of the country desperately resisted various destructions and influences of external forces, therefore its civilization has remained unchanged from ancient times to our days.
Language culture
Ethiopia is one of the most unusual African countries. Its ancient origin, the influence of Christianity and Judaism contributed to the creation of a unique culture of Ethiopia, with the elements of which we briefly and get acquainted. Residents of the country desperately resisted various destructions and influences of external forces, therefore its civilization has remained unchanged from ancient times to our days.
Language culture
Residents of Ethiopia use for communication about 80 different languages ​​belonging to different groups: Omot, Kushit, Hamitic, Semitic. State is considered to be Amharic, spoken by the inhabitants of the central part of the country. Since 1991, according to the new Constitution, in primary schools in Ethiopia, instruction is conducted in the native language. In addition, children from early years begin to learn English, so all the inhabitants can more or less express themselves in this international language.
Ethiopian people and religious traditions
The Ethiopian Orthodox Church has been dominant since the IV century, when, with the blessing of the then ruler of the country, the brothers from Tire began to preach among local residents Christianity. Ethiopian Orthodoxy unites the Christian faith in God, the Catholic saints and the traditional African belief in the devil and spirits. Ethiopians believe divination and astrological forecasts. They keep fast every Wednesday and Friday. These days they are not supposed to eat meat and dairy products.
Literature
Traditionally, Ethiopian literature has a Christian orientation, and the ancient manuscripts found are translations of Christian Greek works. Later they were supplemented with descriptions of the life of the saints. Approximately in the XV century appeared apocalyptic books "Secrets of heaven and earth" and others. Until the end of the Second World War, Ethiopia's literature was concentrated only on translations of religious works. And only later writers appeared, who began to touch upon themes of morality and patriotism in their works.
Music
The roots of Ethiopian music go far into the Eastern Christian and even the Hebrew world. Ethiopian vocal passages are melodic, however, they are hardly perceived by Europeans, since such music is considered pentatonic, and not diatonic, more familiar to us. Some call Ethiopia's traditional music psychedelic or even trance.
The musical culture of Ethiopia is inextricably linked with dance music. More often it is group (female and male) dances: labor, military, ceremonial. A unique Ethiopian shoulder dance - an ascista - can be seen in any bar or restaurant in the country. Performed under the accompaniment of ancient instruments, this entertaining dance often takes a frankly erotic character.
Rules of behavior in society and the culture of communication
In Ethiopia, a man and a woman fulfill their strictly defined roles in society. So, a man represents his family outside the home, and a woman is responsible for raising children and all homework. Parents are more strict towards girls than boys. Men have more freedom in everything than women.
National clothes
Residents of Ethiopia zealously observe the customs of their ancestors. And to this day during religious holidays the Ethiopians dress in national clothes, which include such:
- Shamma - a large white cut of cotton fabric embroidered with colored patterns. Both women and men wear it. Depending on the situation, it is worn differently: on the shoulders or completely covers the entire body, leaving only the slits for the eyes.
- Kabbah - a satin overcoat with a hood, trimmed with fringe, is put over the sham.
- Narrowed white trousers or pants - clothes for men,
- A long (to the heel) thick shirt is for women.
- Fur clothing, like a burka, is now popular in the highlands.
In Ethiopia, there are also tribes in which it is not customary to wear clothes at all. They just decorate themselves with tattoos.
Major Holidays
The country celebrates such major holidays:
- Christmas Day - January 7;
- The Baptism of the Lord - January 19;
- Victory in the Battle of Adua - March 2;
- Holiday of Labor - May 1;
- Day of the fall of the military regime - May 28;
- Ethiopian New Year - September 11;
- the Feast of the Cross of Meskel - 28 September;
- Christmas Prophet Muhammad - December 19;
- St. Gabriel's Day - December 28.
Wedding traditions of Ethiopia
The modern Ethiopian wedding is almost the same as the European one. Young people ask for consent to marry from their parents, they wear European outfits for the wedding, get married in the church, and after the performance of this sacrament, the hosts and guests arrange a feast.
This is not the way the wedding takes place in various tribes of Ethiopia. For example, in the Surma tribe, young men must fight on sticks for the bride. This rite is called "donga". Sometimes such battles can end very tragically.
And the bride, in order to become desirable for the groom, should prepare for marriage for six months. At this time, the girl is pierced by the lower lip and inserted into it a special disc made of clay, after removing the two lower teeth. Gradually, the disc is enlarged, and by the time of the wedding it can reach a diameter of 30 cm. This means that the dowry of this bride is very rich, and the lip plate protects the bride from evil spirits. Remove it is allowed only at night or for eating.