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TRANSPORTATION:
Ethiopia's transportation system has advanced from mules to airplanes since
the early 1900s. Trucks and buses tra$vel about 5000 miles on all weather roads.
Camels, mules, and donkeys are used in remote areas.
There are three railway lines in the country:
1. Addis Ababa to Djibouti
2. Asmara to Massawa
3. Asmara to Tesena
Telephone and telegraph lines connect the large cities as well as the small
ones.
CULTURE:
The most important and popular musical instruments are the following:
1. Masenko--like the violin; a one-string instrument. Is played by
professionals.
2. Kebero--the drum
3. Washint or Meleket--the flute made from babboos.
4. The Begena or Kirar--the harp with six strings.
Of all the above-listed instruments, the Masenko only needs professional
training.
During religious festivals and wedding ceremonies, men and women dance while
one or more of the above-mentioned instruments are played. Although there are very
few modern artists in the country, Ethiopian silver smiths make beautiful crosses
and other religious objects. Most of the country's arstists paint in Byzantine
style. Jars, pots and other clays works are made by village potters.
GOVERNMENT: The type of government is a constitutional Monarchy. Emperior Haile
Selassie, born in 1994 Eth. C. (1892) is the head of state.
FLAG: The Ethiopian flag has three horizontal bars, green at the top, yellow in
the center, and red at the bottom.
1. Green stands for fertile lands.
2. Yellow stands for harvest wealth.
3. Red stands for courage and patriotism.
LANGUAGE: Because of the fact that there are many ethnic groups with a widde variety
of origins, about seventy tribal languages and many dialects are spoken in the
country. Some Ethiopian peoples whose languages are widely spoken include Somali,
Galla, Gurage, Sidamo, Agaw, etc. Amharic is the official language. Ge'ez--the
ancient language of the country, is still used in prayers and church services.
EDUCATION: The Ethiopian school system includes primary and secondary schools as
well as college level. Conversational Engish is introduced in the third grade.
Amharic, the official language, is the medimm of instruction from grades one to six.
English is the language of instruction through the secondary schools and colleges,
with Amharic as a taught subject.
Secondary schoolas are separated into both the academic and the vocational.
HOLIDAYS:
7 January - Christmas Day
19 January - Timket (Epiphany)
20 January - Feast of St. Michael, the Archangel
19 February - Martyrs' Day
2 March - Commemoration of the Victorious Battle of Adowa
VARIABLE:: Good Friday
Easter Sunday
Easter Monday |