Ethiopia’s uniqueness makes it a fascinating destination for every kind of traveller, but in particular for the traveller who wants that bit more. Ethiopia’s historic sites are extremely wide-ranging and possibly the most extensive in the whole of Sub-Saharan Africa. Experts claim that such sites are only a fraction of what Ethiopia has to offer given that a further 95% remain to be discovered and excavated
Seven of Ethiopia’s cultural heritage sights are included in the world cultural heritage list:
The Arbore tribe is a small tribe that lives in the southwest region of the Omo Valley. They have ancestral and cultural links to the Konso people and perform many ritual dances while singing. The Tsemay people are their neighboring tribe.
Arbore people are pastoralists (livestock farmers). They believe that their singing and dancing eliminates negative energy and with the negative energy gone, the tribe will prosper.
The Arit people inhabit the northern part of the Mago National Park in Ethiopia and have the largest territory of all the tribes in the area. They have fertile lands allowing them to have several types of plantations. An Ari’s crop can consist of grains, coffee, fruits and honey. It’s also common for them to have large herds of livestock.
Their women are known for selling pottery and wearing skirts made from banana trees called enset. Tribe members wear a lot of jewellery and have many piercings in their ears.
Axum Was The Seat Of An Empire Which Extended Across The Red Sea To Arabia, Traded With India And China, Had Its Own Alphabet And Notational System, Constructed Great Engineering Works And Dams And Was Reckoned By The 4th Century Persian Historian Mani To Be One Of The Four Great Powers Of The Ancient World, Along With China, Persia And Rome.
After Its Conversion To Christianity, Early In The Fourth Century, Axum Also Emerged As An Important Religious Centre, Site Of The Country’s Most Important And Revered Church Of St Mary Of Tseyon, Which, According To Ethiopian Tradition, Is The Repository Of The Biblical ArkOf The Covenant.
The Visitor Can See Stelaes Made Of Single Blocks Of Granite, Including The Tallest Stood Over 33 Metres High-The Largest Monolith In The World, The Tombs And Castles Of Kings, Axum Museum, Inscriptions And The 16th Century Of St. Mary Of Zion Church, Built On The Site Of Ethiopia’s First Church And It Is A Chapel Of The Holiest Christian Sanctuary In Ethiopia, And Ethiopians Believe That The Church Houses The Ark Of Covenant, Containing The Tables On Which Moses Wrote The Ten Commandments. (For Western Audiences, This Has Been Popularized In Graham Hancock’s The Sign And The Seal). A Visit To Axum Can Be Extended To Take In The 800 BC Pre-Axumite Temple At Yeha, 55 Km East Of Axum, And A Little Further, The 7th Century Monastery At Debre Damo. (Women Are Not Allowed To Enter The Latter, And The Only Access Is By Rope.)
Bahir Dar, Is Situated On Lake Tana, Which Is Dotted With Island Monasteries And Churches. Some Are Closed To Women, But The Churches On The Zeghie Peninsula, With Their Excellent Murals, Are Open To Both Sexes. In Addition To Being An Attractive City In Its Own Right , Bahir Dar Serves The Obvious Base From Which To Explore The Region’s Other Main Attractions. Bahir Dar Aside ,The Only Significant Lakeshore Settlement Is Gorgora ,Which Lies On The Northern Shore 60Km From The City Of Gondar. It Is Possible To Cross The Lake By Boat, From Bahir Dar To Gorgora, Or Vice Versa.
Banna, Bana, and Benna are other spellings for the Bena people. They are neighbors with the Hamer tribe and it is believed that the Bena actually originated from them centuries ago. The markets in Key Afer and Jinka are often visited by them. Just like most of the indigenous tribes in the lower Omo Valley, the Bena practice ritual dancing and singing. The men often have their hair dressed up with a colorful clay cap that is decorated with feathers. Both the men and women wear long garments and paint their bodies with white chalk. Women of the tribe wear beads in their hair that is held together with butter.
The Bena look very similar to the Hamer and are often called the Hamer-Bena.
The Lowlands Of The Afar Depression Are Dominated By Heat And Drought. There Is No Rain For Most Of The Year, And Yearly Rainfall Averages Range From 100 To 200 Millimetres , With Less Rain Falling Closer To The Coast. The Awash River, Flowing North-Eastward Through Southern Afar, Provides A Narrow Green Belt And Enables Life For The Flora And Fauna In The Area And For The Afars, The Nomadic People Living In The Danakil Desert. About 128 Kilometres From The Red Sea, The Awash Ends In A Chain Of Salt Lakes, Where Its Water Evaporates As Quickly As It Is Supplied. About 1200 Km? Of The Afar Depression Is Covered By Salt, And Salt Mining Is Still A Major Source Of Income For Many Afar Tribes.
Gondar Was The Capital Of The Ethiopian Empire From The 17th To Mid 19th Centuries And Is Distinguished By Its Castles And Imperial Compound And By Its Churches, Particularly Debre Berhan Selassie, The Walls And Ceiling Of Which Are Completely Covered In Murals. Gondar Is A City Rich In Tremendous History And Ancient Monuments. For Many Years It Was The Center Of Fine Arts, Music, Science, Religion, Commerce And Administration And Now A Days It Is One Of The Most Historical And Cultural Attractions.
Also well known as the hamar or hammer, they are one of the most known tribes in Soutern Ethiopia. They inhabit the territory east of the Omo River and have villages in Turmi and Dimeka. Tourists visit the hamer hoping to see a traditional leaping ceremony (the jumping of bulls).
They are cattle herders and practice agriculture. Very colorful bracelets and beads are worn in their hair and around their waists and arms. The practice of body modification is used by cutting themselves and packing the wound with ash and charcoal. Some of the women wear circular wedge necklaces indicating that they are married. Men paint themselves with white chalk to prepare for a ceremony. Hair ornaments worn by the men indicate a previous kill of an enemy or animal.
The Karo or Kara is a small tribe with an estimated population between 1,000 and 3,000. They are closely related to the Kwegu tribe. They live along the east banks of the Omo River in southern Ethiopia and practice flood retreat cultivation. The crops that are grown by them are sorghum, maize and beans. Only small cattle are kept because of the tsetse flies. These flies are large and consume the blood of vertebrate animals.
The Konso live in an isolated region of the basalt hills. The area is made up of hard rocky slopes. A Konso village maybe fortified by a stone wall used as a defensive measure. Their village is located on hilltops and is split up into communities, with each community having a main hut. In order to enter a Konso village, you must pass through a gate and a series of alleys. These paths are part of it’s security system, keeping the village difficult to access.
They are mixed agriculturists using their dry and infertile lands to grow crops. Animal dung is used to fertilize the grounds and their most important crop is the sorghum. Sorghum is used as a flour and to make local beer. Grains, beans, cotton, corn and coffee are also grown by the Konso people
Lake Tana, the largest lake in Ethiopia is the source of the Blue Nile from where it starts its long journey to Khartoum and on to the Mediterranean. The 37 islands that are scattered about the surface of the Lake shelter fascinating churches and monastries, some of which have histories dating back to the 13th Century. However, it should be noted that most of the religious houses are not open to women. The most interesting islands are: Birgida Mariam, Dega Estefanous, Dek, Narga, Tana Cherkos, Mitsele Fasiledes, Kebran and Debre Maryam. Kebran Gabriel is the principal monastery which can be visited by male tourists from Bahar Dar with its impressive Cathedral-like Building first built at the end of the 17th Century. Dega Estephanos, which is also closed to women, is on an island in the lake, and is reached by a very steep and winding path. Although the church is relatively new (only one hundred years old), it houses a Madonna painted in the 15th century. However, the treasury of the monastery is a prime attraction with the remains of several emperors, as well as their robes and jewels. On the banks of the lake are many more religious houses such as Ura Kidane Mehret and Narga Selassie, many of which are open to women. Near Gorgora, at the northern end of the lake, the Susneyos palace is a forerunner of the magnificent palaces and castles of Gonder, and dates from the reign of Emperor Susneyos. In the same area the medieval church of Debre Sina Mariam is particularly important. A sail or cruise on Lake Tana is one of the most pleasant excursions for visitors to this region, particularly in the heart of the summer. Boats can be hired from the Marine Transport Authority in Bahir Dar. Along the lakeshore bird life, both local and migratory visitors, make this an ideal place for birdwatchers. Bird lovers will not want to miss Fasilidas island, which is especially famous as an important wetland. The whole of the lake Tana region and the Blue Nile Gorge have a wide variety of birds both endemic and visitors. The variety of habitats, from rocky crags to rain forests and important wetlands, ensure that many other different species should be spotted.
The Mursi or Mursu people are the most popular in Ethiopia’s Omo Valley. They are well known for their unique lip plates. They are settled around the Omo River and in the Mago National Park. Due to the climate, they move twice a year between the winter and summer months. They herd cattle and grow crops along the banks of the Omo River.
The Mursi women paint their bodies and face in white. They also are the ones who wear the lip plates. Women of the Mursi tribe may have their lips cut at the age of 15 or 16. A small clay plate is then inserted into the lip. Through the years, larger plates are inserted into the lip causing it to stretch. The larger the clay plate, the more the woman is worth before she gets married. It is said that the clay plates were originally used to prevent capture by slave traders.
Suri, also known as the Surma people live in the southwestern plains of Ethiopia. They raise cattle and farm when the land is fertile. Cattle are important to the Suri, giving them status. The more cattle a tribesmen has, the wealthier they are. In order for a man to marry a women in the Suri tribe, he must own at least 60 cattle. Cattle are given to the family of the woman in exchange for marriage. Like the other tribes, the Suri will use the milk and blood from the cow. During the dry season, the people will drink blood instead of milk. Blood can be drained from a cow once a month. This is done by making a small incision in it’s neck.
At The End Of The 12th And Beginning Of The 13th Centuries King Lalibela Of The Zaghwe Dynasty Built A Series Of Rock Hewn Churches, The New Jerusalem, Now Rightly Categorized As One Of The Wonders Of The World And Is Arguably The One Historical Site In Ethiopia That No Tourist Should Miss. There Are 11 Churches Within The Town Named After Him, And Outlying Churches (Recommended Are Ashetun Mariam And The Cave Church Of Yemrehane Christos). All Are Still In Use Today. It Is Estimated That The Churches In Lalibela Took 25 Years To Construct – For The Kingdom Based On Roha (Later Renamed Lalibela) To Have Kept A Large Work Force Engaged In Economically Unproductive Labor For Such A Long Period Means That It Disposed Of A Large Economic Surplus And Was Very Wealthy.
Lalibella is 642km from Addis and 300km from Gondar. It is internationally renowned for its rock hewn churches which are sometimes called the “Eighth wonder of the word” these monolithic churches were originally thought to have been built in the 12th century during during the reign of king Lalibella, but some have been dated back to the 10th century. There are 11 churches assembled in 3 groups.
The North Group:- Bete Medhane Alem home to the Lallibela cross and believed to be the largest monolithic church in the world. It si linked to Bete Maryam(possibly the oldest of the churches), Bete Golgotha(known for its arts and said to be contain the tomb of King Lalibella), The Selassie chapel and the Tomb of Adam.
The western Group:- Bete Giyorgies, it is said to be the most finely executed and best preserved church built in the shape of cross it is 15 m long, 12 m tall and 11 m wide . it is is the last church to built and the best preserved. It is believed angels would come down from heaven and continue working on the statues at the night. The churches are linked by a series of tunnels and passageways, the entire site was modeled as biblical site. King Lalibella built stables to represent Jesus birthplaces, he named the local river Jordan and nearby mountain mount Tabor. Lalibella means the bees proclaim their royalty. When the king was child bees swarmed his cradle. This was seen as a sign he was destined to be king. King Gebre Meskel Lalibella was a part of the Zagwe Dynasty. Now day time we are caking the tow Lalibella that is given after the king, befor it use to be cal Roha.
The Eastern Group:- Bete Amanuel, Bete Merkotios, Bete Abalibanos and Bete Gabriel-Rufael. There are some other monasteries out side Lalibela Like Asheten Mariam and Yimrahana Kirstos.
Lying in the lowlands at the east of Addis Ababa and striding the Awash River, the Awash National Park is one of the finest reserves in Ethiopia. The Awash river, one of the major rivers of the horn of Africa, waters important agricultural lands in the north of Ethiopia and eventually flows into the wilderness of the Danakil Depression. The dramatic Awash Falls, as the river tumbles into its gorge, is the sight not to be missed in the national park. Awash national park, surrounding the dormant volcano of Fantale, is a reserve of arid and semi-arid woodland and savannah, with riverain forests along the Awash river. Forty six species of animals have been identified here, including beisa oryx and Swayne’s heartbeest. The bird life is prolific especially along the river and in the nearby lake Basaka and there are fine endemic amongst the 392 species recorded. A special attraction is the beautiful clear pools of the Filwoha hot springs. Access to the park is best from the main Addis Assab highway, and there is a caravan lodge called Kereyu Lodge at the edged of the gorge.
The River Nile, the longest river in Africa, in Ethiopia. From Lake Tana, the Blue Nile, known locally as Abbay, flows from Ethiopia to meet the white Nile in Khartoum to form the great river that gives life to Egypt and the Sudan. It has been said that the Blue Nile contributes up to 80% of the Nile’s flow. Nowhere is it more spectacular than when it thunders over the Tisisat Falls near Bahar Dar. Here millions of gallons of water cascade over the cliff face and into a gorge, creating spectacular rainbows, in one of the most awe-inspiring displays in Africa, earning its name ‘Smoking Water’. The Blue Nile falls can easily be reached from Bahar Dar and the Scenic beauty of the Blue Nile Gorge, 225KM from Addis Ababa, can be enjoyed as part of an excursion from the capital.
The Afar Depression Is A Geological Depression In The Horn Of Africa, Where It Overlaps Eritrea, The Afar Region Of Ethiopia, And Djibouti. Afar Is Well Known As One Of The Cradles Of Hominids, Containing The Middle Awash, Site Of Many Fossil Hominid Discoveries; Gona, Site Of The World’s Oldest Stone Tools; And Hadar, Site Of Lucy, The Fossilized Specimen Of Australopithecus Afarensis.The Afar Depression Includes The Danakil Desert And The Lowest Point In Africa, Lake Asal Dallol Is Also Part Of The Depression, One Of The Hottest Places Year-Round Anywhere On Earth. The Climate Varies From Around 25 °C During The Rainy Season To 48 °C During The Dry Season . Only The Awash River Flows Into The Depression, Where It Ends In A Chain Of Lakes That Increase In Salinity
The Dorze people are always a delight to visit, as the children begin their unique Dorze “rump-shaker” dance almost before you enter the village! The houses of the Dorze people are tall structures, resembling a beehive. Inside the hut, a section is partitioned off for the family’s animals (cows and goats rather than dogs and cats) to sleep inside during the cold rainy season. The Dorze people are very skilled weavers, providing a vast majority of the country’s traditional cotton gabis and other uniquely Ethiopian clothing. The Dorze in particular prefer bright colorful patterns
One of the most beautiful national parks in Ethiopia, its 4068 km of wilderness bordered by the Omo river, is home to an amazing range of wildlife. 306 species of birds have been identified here, while large herds of eland, some buffalo, elephants, giraffe, cheetah, lion, leopard,Burchell’s zebra are not uncommon. The park is not easily accessible, as the current means of access is via Omorate and the ferry to the north bank of the river. The park HQ is 75 km from Kibish settlement. However, a new airstrip is available close to the HQ and a pleasant campsite on the Mui River – plans are in hand for further major improvements.
Valley of the Omo, palaeontological and prehistoric sites (South Omo zone)
Omo Valley is undoubtedly one of the most unique places on earth because of the wide variety of people and animals that inhabit it. It is located in Africa’s Great Rift Valley. The region is known for its culture and diversity. The tribes that live in the lower Omo Valley are believed to be among the most fascinating on the continent of Africa and around the world. Tours are offered to several towns and villages. It is often you come into contact with the following tribes: Arbore, Ari, Bena, Bodi, Bumi, Daasanech (Geleb), Dorze, Hamer (Hamar), Kara (or Karo), Konso, Kwegu (or Muguji), Mursi, Tsemay, and Turkana when you tour the valley. It is estimated that the Omo Valley is home to over 200,000 tribal people. Among the ancient Africantribes that live in the southern part of Ethiopia, there is a wide variety of wildlife as well. Some of the animals that you will find there are the Bitis Arietans (venomous snake), crocodiles and hippopotamuses. The two main national parks in Omo Valley are the Omo National Park and the Mago National Park which are home to the majority of the wildlife in the valley.
The tribes that live in the lower Omo Valley are believed to be among the most fascinating on the continent of Africa and around the world. Tours are offered to several towns and villages. It is often you come into contact with the following tribes: Arbore, Ari, Bena, Bodi, Bumi, Daasanech (Geleb), Dorze, Hamer (Hamar), Kara (or Karo), Konso, Kwegu (or Muguji), Mursi, Tsemay, and Turkana when you tour the valley. It is estimated that the Omo Valley is home to over 200,000 tribal people. Among the ancient Africantribes that live in the southern part of Ethiopia, there is a wide variety of wildlife as well. Some of the animals that you will find there are the Bitis Arietans (venomous snake), crocodiles and hippopotamuses. The two main national parks in Omo Valley are the Omo National Park and the Mago National Park which are home to the majority of the wildlife in the valley.
This widespread trek explores in depth one of Africans largest mountain ranges, studded with at least a dozen peaks over the 4,000m mark. These include Ras Dejen (Dashen) the highest point in Ethiopia, and the 4th highest peak in Africa was recognized as a national park in 1969 GC, and registered to the UNESCO world heritage site in 1978. trek through the Simians, following widespread network of trails used by the local people to travel between the villages on the lower slopes or to reach the high pastures for feeding them animals.
The superiority of these trails, along with the fantastic scenery, unique flora and fauna make this a gratifying and challenging trek. It is a paradise for natural history fanatics as well as for trekkers. Initially the route will take through small villages and terraced fields in the lower valleys, before reaching a series of dramatic cliffs and escarpments. Beyond these escarpments we reach the beautiful high-altitude fields and the rugged wilderness of the high peak areas. There will be an opportunity to ascend many of the 4,000m peaks, including Ras Dashen 4543m, before descending into the lowland valleys, and returning by a completely different route, which will give us a rare opportunity to view the ridges and peaks from a different viewpoint.
A Day on the TrekAfter a substantial breakfast, depart on the day’s trek carrying a day sack containing your packed lunch, water, camera, and warm top . Our personal equipment and things are carried by mules to the next camp. On arrival, your tents will have been set up, refreshments at hand, and there is time to relax and refresh yourselves before dinner and socializing around the camp fire
Sof Omar is one of the most spectacular and extensive underground cave systems in the world. Formed by the Wabi River as it changed its course in the distant past and carved out a new channel through limestone foothills, the Sof Omar systems is an extraordinary natural phenomenon of breathtaking beauty. The cave which is now an important Islamic Shrine was named after the saintly Sheikh Sof Omar who took refuge here many centuries ago. The cave has a religious history that predates the arrival of the Muslims in Bale – a history calculated in thousands of years.
Practically Unknown To Other Ethiopians –Let Alone The Out Side World -Before 1966 The Rock Hewn Churches Of Tigray Have Been Described By Ivy Pearce As “The Greatest Of The Historical Cultural Heritage Of The Ethiopian People. Most Of Them Are Still In Active Use As Center Of Worship And Prayer. Many Have Paintings And Medieval Artifacts.
These Churches Primarily Don’t Function As Tourist Attractions. Almost Half Of These Churches Have Gone Unseen By Foreigners Because The Tigraian Churches Are More Scattered And Less Accessible Than Their Counterparts At Lalibela. Some Of The Rock Hewn Churches Of Tigray Are Easily Accessible And Lie Along The Main Road Between Wukro And Sinkata. This Group Of Rock Hewn Churches Which Include Teka Tesfai Cluster (Adi Kesho Medahane Alem) Wukro Cherkos And The Magnificent Abreha We Atsebeha On The Hawzien Road Can Be Explored By Driving In A Private Vehicle Either From Adigrat Or Mekele. Alternatively, Diversions Can Be Made To Atsbi Clusters That Include The Rock Churches Of Michael Barka, Michael Imba, And Debre Selam Or Tembien.
For Many Tigreans, Tembien Is A Place From Which Honey And Butter Are Easily Fetched, Not In Trickles But In Abundance. For Others, It Is The Mother Of Great War-Winning Heroes Like Emperor Yohannes IV And Ras Allula Abba Nega. Yet Many Others Remember It For Its Unique And Fascinating Dance, ‘Awris’. However, Very Few Realize That Tembien Is Also The Site Of About Twenty Rock- Hewn Churches. Gabriel Wukien, Abba Yohanni, Amanuel Mai-Baha, Mariam Hibito, Abba Selama And Mariam Itsewto Are Some Examples. However The Most Extensive Cluster Is Found In The Gheralta Region Which Lies To The South Of Hawzien. Gheralta Is The Home Of A Quarter Of The Rock Churches, Some Famous For Their Stone Workmanship, Ancient Paintings And Manuscripts, And Others Known For Their Magnificent View And Difficult Ascent. Such Great Churches As Abuna Yemata, Mariam Korkor, Debresion, Yohannes Maequddi, Abraha Atseha, Abune Gebre Michael, And Silasse Degum Are In The Very Heart Of This Cliff. This Group Includes Some Of The Most Stunningly Situated Churches Anywhere In Ethiopia. This Cluster Of Churches Can Be Explored Best From Hawzien Using A Private Vehicle And A Few Days Walk And Hiking To Reach Some Inaccessible Churches.
Tiya pre-historical and arArchaeologists and anthropologists continually claim that the oldest hominid remains (Australopithecus ramidus, a new species, 4.4 million years old) were originally discovered here in the Afar region. More recent findings by Professor Tim White from the University of California, Berkeley, suggest that the earliest ape man lived in Ethiopia 5 million years ago (Daily Telegraph, Monday 18th January 1999).
The natural beauty of Ethiopia amazes the first-time visitor. Ethiopia is a land of rugged mountains (some are over 4000 meters high) broad savannah, lakes and rivers. The unique Rift Valley is a remarkable region of volcanic lakes, with their famous collections of birdlife, great escarpments and stunning vistas. Tisisat, the Blue Nile falls, must rank as one of the greatest natural spectacles in Africa today.
With 14 major wildlife reserves, Ethiopia provides a microcosm of the entire subsaharan eco-system. Birdlife abounds and indigenous animals from the rare Walis Ibex to the shy wild ass roam free just as nature intended. Ethiopia, after the rains, is a land decked with flowers and with many more native plants than most countries in Africa.