Do you know that even before the Roman Empire even existed, Ethiopia was one of the first nations to accept Christianity and make it the official religion? Ethiopia is a distinctive nation in many aspects, and this is the source of its beautiful and unique culture.
Every nation is different but Ethiopia is exceptional in every way. It is one of the world's oldest states. Also, it was the nation that hosted and welcomed Muhammadan messengers. As a result, it has adopted the two major religions while retaining its traditional practices, and it has even managed to combine tradition and religion to create a lifestyle that is uniquely Ethiopian. So here is a list of peculiar things you can find in the Ethiopian Lifestyle.
The walls of most Ethiopian families' homes are decorated with portraits of their nobility.
Typically, the extended family is part of the family system. Families have close bonds. In the Ethiopian community, households range in size from one to six, with half of the members being children under the age of 10. And in these homes, pictures of the royal families traced from ages back are often found. In their communities, the community's elders arbitrate disputes.
The royal family images are kept in the households because elders are respected in society, and their counsel is often heeded. They reverence their nobility and hold them in high esteem.
They feed their friends because of Gursha.
Gursha is a gesture of love and friendship. When eating injera, one strips off a piece with their right hand, wraps it around some wat or kitfo, and then places it in their mouth. It is customary to feed others in the group with one's hand at a meal with friends or family by placing the rolled injera or a spoonful of other dishes into another's mouth.
This is known as Gurkha, and the more substantial the Gursha, the closer the friendship or connection. This is only surpassed by the brewing of Tej together.
The females braid each other's hair.
In Ethiopian culture having your mother braid, your hair in a variety of ways is a great bonding time for the women. It’s a way for mothers to beautify themselves. It doesn’t matter if the girls cry all through the process because sometimes the braids hurt badly. It is termed perseverance, a part of the process.
Knowing your coffee
Ethiopia is renowned as the birthplace of coffee. The "buna," a coffee-making process that involves roasting, grinding, and boiling beans while taking part in a social gathering, is well-known in Ethiopia.
Traditional tattoos are appreciated by all as a symbol of beauty.
Traditional tattoos have a long history in Ethiopian culture. Ethiopian society is as diverse as its traditional designs, which typically reveal the bearer's ethnic, religious, and cultural heritage. Although tattoos have long been a sign of ethnic and religious identity, there have also been cultural teachings that claim they enhance human beauty and shield attractive individuals from bad eyes. Muslims have crescent moon tattoos whereas Christians have crossed.
The proper method to greet and thank someone is to bow. particularly the elderly.
Having awesome cross collections
The Ethiopian cross is so revered that it has a special day dedicated to it. On Meskerem 17, which corresponds to September 27 in the western calendar, the discovery of the real cross is commemorated.
The best way to ring in the new year for Ethiopians is with a bouquet of daisies.
On Meskerem 1, which is the same day as September 11, Ethiopians celebrate their new year, known as Enkutatash and Ri'se Awde Amet. Young girls dressed in new attire collect daisies and give pals bouquets while singing New Year's carols. Modern Enkutatash is also the time of year when urban affluent people exchange formal new year wishes and cards rather than the customary bunch of flowers. It's all about Gebeta and Yegena chewata; games that rival chess and football in our setting. It is safe to say the Ethiopians have lived in a world of their own for long and the rest of the world only tries to play catch up with their cultures.