Ethiopia African heritage destination

Ethiopia, popularly known as ‘The Horn of Africa’, was never colonised and it is the only African nation that can boast 17 centuries of Christian traditions. As per Trip Advisor (US)’s contest for top 10 ‘World’s Best Tourism Destination’ Travelers’ Choice Award 2016, Ethiopia has been ranked at number 3.

It is a country so rich in its history that its ten destinations have been designated as UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites. The southern Ethiopia is a destination that is most unique, where time has stood still.

Visitors may take an inquisitive stroll of the various tribal villages, meeting nomads and get amazed at their earthly lifestyle, and social infrastructure that is reminiscent of bygone eras. Above all things, it is a country of great antiquity with a culture and tradition dating back more than 3,000 years.

It is a land of great geographical variety, from the high peaks of the rugged Semien Mountains in Amhara region to Ethiopia’s volcanic desert, the Danakil Depression, which is the hottest and lowest point on the planet. In the Afar region, one witnesses tropical forests, lakes, broad savannah, rivers and deserts.

The unique Rift Valley is a remarkable region of volcanic lakes, with their rare collections of birdlife, great escarpments and stunning vistas. Tisisat, the Blue Nile falls, must rank as one of the greatest natural spectacles compared to anywhere in Africa today. Addis Ababa, the capital, was formally founded in 1886.

Amharic is the official language of Ethiopia, although English, Italian, French, and Arabic are fairly spoken. In areas outside of the larger cities and towns, indigenous languages are spoken - the most common of these are Oromifa and Tigrigna. Despite its proximity to the Equator, Ethiopia's high altitude ensures a temperate, moderate, even chilly climate.

Entry point by air can only be accessed from Bole International Airport, Addis Ababa. For Indians, entry is possible by air to Addis Ababa. There are regular flights from New Delhi and Mumbai. For visa, Indians can apply at the Ethiopian Embassy in New Delhi.

Addis Ababa
The wide tree-lined streets, fine architecture, glorious weather, and the incongruity of donkey trains trolling along the boulevards make Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, a delightful place to explore. Set in rising countryside between 2,300 to 2,500 meters in altitude, it is a city of surprises characterised by remarkable diversity and contrasts.

Mago National Park
On the eastern bank of the Omo River, Mago National Park is 2,162 sq km in area, ranging in altitude from 450 to 2,528 meters, latter being the height of Mount Mago situated in the north of the park.

Rivers and lakes
Another striking feature of Ethiopia is the large number of natural lakes, almost all of them in the rift. They include Ziway, Langano, Abijatta, Shalla, Awasa, Abaya, and Chamo, which are situated in their own local systems of ‘inland drainage’. These lakes were formed by the millennia of heavy rainfall that hit Africa during the period of ‘Ice Age’.

It is Ethiopia's far-east that covers a striking variation in land and people. The area is home to some of the best coffee in the world. The town is famous for unique layout of its houses, its intricate basketry, coffee and hyena feeding. The narrow winding streets of Harrar contain over 99 mosques and is considered the fourth holiest city of Islam, only next to Mecca, Medina and Jerusalem.

Mysterious Monoliths at Axum Obelisk
The extensive traces of noble buildings with large stone foundations are found here side by side with the ruins of even more impressive structures, temples, fortresses, and rich palaces. The relics of bygone eras protrude everywhere through the soil. Even today, long-buried hordes of gold, silver and bronze coins are sometimes exposed by heavy downpours of rain.

The Rock-Hewn Churches Betegiorgis Lalibela
According to many travellers and travel writers, the Rock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela, is the eighth wonder of the world. It is a collection of orthodox Christian churches carved out of monolithic rocks. The churches were carved out of a solid rock and have fascinating internal channels and walls are full of religious symbols.

Lower Omo Valley
The Lower Valley of Omo is located in south-western Ethiopia. The age old sedimentary deposits in the lower Omo valley are now world-renowned for the discovery of many hominid fossils that have been of fundamental importance in the study of human evolution

Lucy's bones
Lucy, 3.5 million years old, and the recent discovery Ramides, 4.4 million years old hominid fossil, were discovered in Haddar, along the Awash River, east of the country. They completed the missing link between Apes and men.

Tiya Stele
Tiya is among the most important of the roughly 160 archaeological sites discovered so far in the Soddo area, south of Addis Ababa. The prehistoric site of Tiya in southern Ethiopia houses 36 obelisks, including 32 carved steles covered with religious symbols, believed to be ancient tombstones.

Ethiopian coffee ceremony
It is one of the most enjoyable events visitors can attend at the Ethiopian restaurant. The coffee is taken through its full life cycle of preparation in front of the visitors in a ceremonial manner. Coffee is called ‘Bunna’ by the native Ethiopians.

By: Prof Pranab K Bhattacharya