100 Interesting Facts about Ethiopia, Africa

(Last Updated On: April 16, 2021)

There are plenty of interesting facts about Ethiopia. This African country is full of energy, hope, success, and struggle that everyone should learn. In this article, I am going to talk about interesting facts about Ethiopia.

Interesting facts about Ethiopia

Let’s find 100 interesting facts about Ethiopia below!

Ethiopia was the first nation to simply accept Islam as a faith and it sheltered the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), his household, and his followers once they had been being persecuted and killed by pagan Arabians. Today, 35% of Ethiopia is Muslim.

In some components of Ethiopia, sporting a big disc within the decrease lip is taken into account stunning.

To accommodate a decrease lip plate, typically the underside two or 4 teeth are eliminated, which is one of the interesting facts about Ethiopia.

Ethiopia fought towards the Scramble for Africa, and it is likely one of the few nations that weren’t colonized, although Italians occupied it for at least 5 years.

Coffee was found in this nation, in the Kaffa area. A shepherd found this well-known beverage when his goats ate the leaves and have become stressed.

Ethiopia has a distinct alphabet. This is one of the Ethiopia facts.

Ethiopia is the one nation on this planet with a 12-hour time system, counting from daybreak to nightfall and from nightfall to daybreak. This is one of the Ethiopia country facts.

Letesenbet Gidey, Ethiopia born long-distance athlete has set a new world record-breaking a 12-year-old world record in 5000m long-distance running, on 7th October 2020. This is one of the 10 facts about Ethiopia.

The oldest fossil of Early man was found right here. This is one of the CIA world factbook Ethiopia.

Unless you get horribly misplaced and enterprise into Somalia, the tanks you may see alongside the roadside are burned-out remnants of the Eritrean-Ethiopian War (1998-2000).

Abebe Bikila, an Ethiopian, gained Africa’s first Olympic gold medal, in 1960. This is one of the Ethiopia facts and information.

About 70% of the mountains of Africa are in this nation, which is one of the interesting facts about Ethiopia.

In the late 12th century, Gebre Mesqel Lalibela had 13 church buildings — Ethiopia is likely one of the oldest Christian nations — carved out of the strong rock, the underground church buildings.

The Ethiopian calendar has 13 months and it’s 7 or Eight years behind the Western calendar—in order of 2015, it is just 2008 in Ethiopia. The 13th month has solely 5 days or six in a bissextile year.

The roadside Rastas you are prone to meet are a pleasant bunch, who’ll, fortunately, speak you thru factors of curiosity within the space. The Rastafari motion is most frequently related to Jamaica, but it surely was Ethiopian emperor Haile Selassie who impressed the faith.

Made in China. Actually made by China. The nation is investing tons of hundreds of thousands of {dollars} in Ethiopia’s infrastructure. The quality tarmac comes courtesy of big Chinese funding — within the ten years to 2016, it was estimated that China had poured $21.52 billion into Ethiopia’s infrastructure.

The Great Rift Valley cuts by way of Ethiopia from northeast to south of the nation and is the one bodily function of Africa that is seen from the area, which is one of the interesting facts about Ethiopia.

Donkeys and camels had been first domesticated in Ethiopia. This is one of the Ethiopia facts in 2021.

Dallol within the Danakil Depression in Ethiopia holds the world’s document for the best average temperature for an inhabited location. Its annual average temperature, recorded between 1960 and 1966 was 35°C (95°F). The average day by day most temperature, recorded across a similar interval was 41°C (106°F).

In Ethiopia’s decrease in Omo Valley, scarification serves as a distinction for courageous warriors for males, and, for ladies, the raised texture of the scarred pores and skin is taken into account extremely fascinating and sensual.

Ethiopian distance runner Haile Gebrselassie set a world record for the marathon in Berlin in 2008 and gained Olympic gold medals twice in 1996 and 2000 within the 10,00zero meters. Every day, he ran 6 miles (10 km) to high school and again as a baby.

Of the 143 million orphans worldwide, more reside in Ethiopia than in every other nation on this planet. Thirteen % of Ethiopian kids are lacking one or each mother and father. Nearly 1 / 4 of that mother and father have been misplaced within the AIDS epidemic.

King Ezana is regarded as the person behind the first church in Ethiopia. Built within the 4th century, its stays can nonetheless be seen in the subsequent door to the St. Mary of Zion Church in Aksum.

Ethiopia is talked about 40 occasions within the Bible and it is likely one of the few nations talked about within the Bible, the Koran, Homer’s Odyssey, and plenty of different historic books. This is one of the Ethiopia history facts.

When Ethiopians greet one another, they shake arms and gently knock their shoulders collectively, which is named the “fighters’ salute” and historically was used as a greeting between those that fought within the Derg, the warrior group that got here to energy following the coup of Haile Selassie.

Ownership of cattle confers nice social standing on Oromo males. Traditionally, if a herdsman owns greater than 1,00zero head, he’s entitled to put on a crown. This is one of the world factbook Ethiopia.

A necessary ceremony of passage for Hamer and Banna boys in Ethiopia is the Ukuli Bula, or Jumping of the Bulls, ceremony. After 15 to 30 bulls have been lined up facet by facet, every bare boy should leap down the road of bulls, leaping on the beasts from again to again. If they fall, they’re whipped and teased by the ladies; in the event that they succeed, they’ve to show round and full the duty three extra occasions.

According to the World Bank’s newest Global Economic Prospects, Ethiopia has a GDP forecast to develop by 8.3% in 2017, in comparison with international progress, which is projected to be 2.7%.

Traditionalists consider that Ethiopia’s Oromo faith, whose God is known as Waka, is the oldest, monotheistic faith on this planet and that Moses borrowed the Ten Commandments from them. This is one of the 10 interesting facts about Ethiopia.

Aksum, in Ethiopia, is legendary as a claimant to the ultimate resting place of the Ark of the Covenant, the chest containing the 10 commandments God gave to Moses, and the standing obelisk, which is 75 ft (23 m) excessive. With home windows and doorways, it seems to be just like the world’s first skyscraper.

The first Muslim name to prayer was accomplished by an Ethiopian named Bilal Ibn Rabah, and the first mosque to be constructed exterior of Arabia was the Al Nejashi mosque in northern Ethiopia.

On August 12, 2012, Ethiopia grew to become the first nation in Africa, and the second on this planet, to personal and function a Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Owned by Ethiopian Airlines, the plane was named “Africa One” and assigned the tail quantity ET-AOQ.

In the 1930s, a gaggle of Jamaicans got here to consider that Haile Selassie was a messiah of Biblical teachings: a black chief of an impartial African nation. Before he selected his imperial title, which suggests “the power of the trinity,” his title was Tafari Makonnen. He was serving because the Ras, or regional governor, earlier than he grew to become emperor. Learn more about the largest empires in the world.

Ethiopia’s gelada baboon isn’t a baboon however is, actually, a monkey that’s the final surviving species of historic grazing primates. It will get its nickname “Bleeding Heart” baboon from the patch of pores and skin on the chest of the feminine that turns into brilliant purple when it’s most fertile.

Ethiopia is taken into account the originator of honey wine, or t’ej, which the remainder of the world is aware of as mead, which is one of the interesting facts about Ethiopia.

Stick combating is likely one of the hottest sports activities among the many Surma individuals of southwest Ethiopia. Not solely does it take a look at males’ power, coordination, and aggressive zeal, but it surely additionally serves as a discussion board by way of which winners can meet potential wives. The stick-fighting season lasts three months and pits males from completely different villages towards one another. The objective is to knock out an opponent without being knocked out of yourself.

Buhe is the Ethiopian model of Halloween and happens on August 19 every year. On that night, teams of boys go from home to deal with singing songs till they’re given handfuls of bread to eat. In the cities, the boys are given cash when they’re accomplished performing.

According to legend, the True Cross on which Jesus Christ was crucified, was discovered by St. Helena—the mom of Constantine the Great, the Roman Emperor who transformed to Christianity—within the 4th century. A relic of that cross was later given to Ethiopia’s kings for safeguarding Coptic Christians of their nation. Meskel celebrates the arrival of the True Cross in Ethiopia and has been celebrated there for greater than 1,600 years.

While Africa has a protracted and burdensome historical past of colonialism, Ethiopia is the one nation on the continent that was by no means formally colonized, though it was occupied by Italy within the run as much as the second world warfare. Ethiopia defeated Italian troops on two events to stay impartial.

Ethiopia is a historic land with extremely numerous inhabitants. A tapestry of language and ethnic teams, the “Land of 13 Sunshines” is enchanting like no different nation on this planet. Indeed, Ethiopians have their very own calendar and are identified for such icons because of the Nile River, espresso, Lucy, mountains, long-distance runners, and far more.

Ethiopian distance runner Abebe Bikila was the first black African to win the gold medal in the Olympic Marathon in 1960, and he ran the race barefooted. He gained the race once more in Tokyo 4 years later and has become the first individual to win the race twice, setting a world record. This is one of the CIA factbook Ethiopia.

The historical past of Rastafari might be traced again to Africa although the movement began and developed in Jamaica. The phrase Rastafarian is derived from ‘Ras’ which means chief in Ethiopia’s official language, Amharic, and ‘Tafari’, the first name of former Ethiopian Emperor, Haile Selassie I.

Lake Tana on this nation provides the Blue Nile River, which feeds the White Nile River earlier than becoming a member of the Great Nile River, which is one of the interesting facts about Ethiopia.

Some of the earliest hominid populations lived in Ethiopia. The area is presumably the place Homo erectus developed and left Africa to populate Eurasia over 1.Eight million years in the past.

Ethiopians have one of many lowest life expectations on this planet. Current figures estimate that ladies can anticipate residing for about 50 years, and males for about 48 years. This is one of the Ethiopia factbook.

Some of the normal societies in Ethiopia view having twins as mingi, or an indication of dangerous luck. They consider that twins could also be cursed, or invite evil spirits.

British and Dutch colonial buildings appeal to essentially the most architectural consideration in east Africa, however, Ethiopia once more stands out as the one nation on the continent with its personal fairy story castles. Aside from just a few eye-catching artwork deco buildings left over from the Italian occupation, the castles of Fasilides, Iyasu, and Mentwab, within the former imperial capital of Gondar, are the buildings that keep within the thoughts.

Ethiopia was the birthplace of Pan-Africanism (a united Africa). Hailed by Emperor Haile Selassie I, it led to the delivery of the African Union. This is one of the Ethiopia facts for kids.

Ethiopia is dwelling to the supply of the Blue Nile, which along with the White Nile makes up the Nile River, the longest river on this planet.

Ethiopia was rated as one of many prime nations to go to in 2017, which is one of the interesting facts about Ethiopia.

Traditionally, Ethiopian parents and kids don’t share a final title. Most kids take their father’s first title as their last name. This is one of the Ethiopia facts.

The Erta Ale Volcano in Ethiopia holds the longest current lava lake, current since 1906. Known domestically as “The Gateway to Hell” due to its searingly sizzling temperatures, the Erta Ale Volcano derives its title from the Afar language and is translated as ‘The Smoking Mountain’. It is likely one of the most lively volcanoes on this planet.

In some monasteries and holy websites in Ethiopia, historic regulation prohibits girls from setting foot contained in the holy confines. This additionally extends to all feminine creatures, together with donkeys, hens, and nanny goats.

Ethiopia is a deeply spiritual nation and is believed to have been one of many first nations to undertake Christianity. Ethiopia is talked about 40 occasions all through the Bible and has additionally been talked about within the Koran in addition to Homer’s Odyssey. Aksum claims to be the ultimate resting place of the Ark of the Covenant, the chest containing the 10 commandments God gave to Moses.

The Great Rift Valley, which divides Ethiopia from northeast to the south is Africa’s solely bodily function that may be seen from area and is recognizable by the lakes within the Western Rift of the Great Rift Valley.

The title “Ethiopia” comes from the Greek phrases aitho and ops, which collectively imply “burnt face.” This was how the traditional Greeks referred to the dark-skinned individuals of eastern Africa. This is one of the Ethiopia facts

Although little one marriage is prohibited in Ethiopia, 49% of women marry earlier than 18, and practically 1 in 5 Ethiopian ladies are married earlier than 15. Almost half of 15- to 19- year-old ladies within the Amhara area have been or at present are married.

Ethiopians on average devour just one,850 energy per day, making Ethiopia one of many least calorie-consuming nations, and its inhabitants rank as one of many leanest as effectively with at 21-gram average day by day fats consumption.

Ethiopia is the fifth largest producer of espresso at present and Africa’s prime producer. In Ethiopia, there may be even a ritualized and ceremonious strategy to make and drink espresso.

Amharic is Ethiopia’s national language although there are over native 82 languages and 200 dialects. Besides the Arabs, Ethiopia is the one African nation with its personal indigenous written alphabet. The above title is the phrase Amharic written in Amharic.

Ethiopia briefly had a Jewish queen, Queen Gudit (Judith), who dominated components of Ethiopia within the 10th century. She burned down many church buildings. This is one of the important facts about Ethiopia.

The first globally acknowledged feminine African head of state was Ethiopian Queen Zewditu, who was the empress of Ethiopia from 1916 to 1930. This is one of the 67 Ethiopia facts.

While Ethiopia isn’t the most affordable African nation to go to, it’s nonetheless pretty reasonably priced for South African travelers and is usually be discovered on lists of the ’10 least expensive African nations’. The Ethiopian Birr is round 2 to 1 South African rand at the time of writing. Public transport, native meals and low are cheap too.

Some African nations, like Ghana, adopted flags with the same colors as Ethiopia’s inexperienced/purple/yellow as a result of Ethiopia was the first African nation to defeat European energy militarily.

This nation has been talked about several within the Bible and the Quran, which is one of the interesting facts about Ethiopia. This is one of the amazing facts about Ethiopia.

Ethiopia has essentially the most UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Africa. The 9 websites are Aksum, Fasil Ghebbi, Harar, Konso Cultural Landscape, Lower Valley of the Awash, Lower Valley of the Omo, Rock-Hewn Churches, Simien National Park, and Tiya.

Ethiopia has 13 months in a year( i.e 12 months with 30 days every and a 13th month with 5 days in a typical 12 months and 6 days in a bissextile year). Christmas is well known in Ethiopia on January seventh.

The Ethiopian Calendar is 7 ½ years behind the Gregorian calendar. New Year in Ethiopia begins on 11th September and a day later in a bissextile year.

Ethiopia is the diplomatic capital of the continent because it hosts the headquarters of Kenya African and worldwide organizations such because the African Union, UN Economic Commission for Africa, UNESCO, and UNDP.

Founded in 980 B.C., Ethiopia is likely one of the oldest nations on this planet.

The earliest occasion of human ancestors utilizing instruments has been traced to Ethiopia.

Ethiopians celebrated their new 12 months on September 11, which is one of the interesting facts about Ethiopia.

The Biblical Ark of The Covenant, holding the 10 commandments is believed to be housed in a church in Ethiopia. Known because of the ‘Mother Church of Ethiopia,’ St. Mary of Tsion. No one, not even the specifically chosen guardian, is allowed to look to substantiate whether it is truly there.

Ethiopia is from the Greek phrase “Αιθιοψ” or “aithiops,” which accurately means “charred or burnt”

Over 80 languages are spoken in this nation. English is the language of instruction in the establishments of upper studying. The most generally spoken native languages are Oromo, Amharic, Somali, and Tigrinya.

Allegedly, the Ark of the Covenant that holds the 10 Commandments is in a church on this nation. However, just one man is aware of how true that is, and he’s the one one who guards it.

The first Ethiopian restaurant wherever outside of Ethiopia was launched in 1966 in California with assistance from Haile Selassie, the emperor himself.

Africa Day is celebrated on 25 May. It is the day on which the Organisation for African Unity was established between 32 African states in 1963 in Addis Ababa. Today there are 55 member states within the organization that has to grow to be the African Union. It continues to be headquartered in Addis Ababa. Ethiopia was additionally the first African nation to affix the League of Nations in 1923.

The Garima Gospels, the oldest illustrated Christian e-book, is in Ethiopia. It was written about A.D. 494 by the Abba Garima, a monk who arrived in Ethiopia from Constantinople (present-day Istanbul). According to legend, he wrote the e-book in the future.

Ethiopian feminine pilot Asegedech Assefa is the first African feminine to fly an airplane.

Addis Ababa, the capital metropolis, is the best capital metropolis in Africa, at 2,400 meters, which is one of the interesting facts about Ethiopia.

Ethiopia is the second-most-populous nation in Africa, with inhabitants of over 90 million individuals by 2015. It is second to Nigeria, which had inhabitants of over 174 million individuals by 2013.

For centuries, Ethiopians have used wild herbs as medicines to deal with such illnesses as malaria, hepatitis, pneumonia, and even tapeworms. Scientists level out that widespread Western medication resembling aspirin and morphine had been derived from conventional folk medicines.

Ethiopia has been described as a “museum of peoples” due to its lengthy historical past and variety. This is one of the Ethiopia facts.

Coffee was first found by an Ethiopian goat herder named Kaldi within the Kaffa area, from which the phrase “coffee” could derive when he saw his goats “dancing” after consuming the berries off the espresso plant. Today, it’s estimated that 4 out of 5 Americans drink espresso at the least as soon as a day.

Ethiopian emperor Menelik II was the first African to drive an automobile, in 1907, which is one of the interesting facts about Ethiopia.

Ethiopia ranks the fifth poorest nation on this planet. Almost two-thirds of the Ethiopian populations live on less than US$1 a day. This is one of the Ethiopia facts about poverty.

In Ethiopia, time is counted in another way. Six o’clock is claimed to be 12 o’clock, and 16:00 hours is 10 o’clock. Ethiopians rationalize that the clock ought to begin when the day does.

Ethiopia is Africa’s oldest impartial nation. Ethiopia is the one nation in Africa that was by no means formally colonized; nevertheless, it needed to defeat the Italians twice to stay impartial.

The Abyssinian cat breed, which originated in Ethiopia, ranks because of the fifth hottest pedigreed cat breed within the United States. This is one of the fun facts about Ethiopia.

Ethiopian entrepreneur Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu is the founding father of soleRebels, a model of footwear that fuses recycled automobile tires for the soles with conventional Ethiopian crafts and fashionable design.

Tewahedo, or the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, is likely one of the oldest types of Christianity on this planet. It got here to Ethiopia from Egypt, the place Egyptians belonged to the Coptic Church. Around A.D. 330, Frumentius, the Apostle of Ethiopia, transformed the Axumite king Ezana, who made Christianity the empire’s official faith. Today, 40% of Ethiopians follow Christianity.

Ancient Ethiopian queens had been uniformly named Candace, which was pronounced “kan-dah-ke”. This is one of the fun facts about Ethiopia.

Emperors dominated Ethiopia till 1974 and all declare to be descendants of King Solomon of the Bible and Makeda (Ethiopian Queen of Sheba). Haile Selassie, I used to be the final Ethiopian emperor.

More than 70% of Africa’s mountains are present in Ethiopia. It is usually referred to as “the roof of Africa.”

The Danakil Depression in Ethiopia is dwelling to the bottom level on Earth, Dallol, a lava lake that’s 380 ft (116 m) beneath sea stage. It can also be one of many sole lava lakes on this planet and it’s the hottest place on the planet. This is one of the dallol Ethiopia facts.

Teff used to make the Ethiopian staple injera, is a historic grain believed to have originated in Ethiopia between 4000 and 1000 B.C. It is the smallest grain on this planet and its title could have come from the Amharic phrase that means “lost” as a result of it’s so small. It can also be as fashionable as a child meal.

Ethiopia was based in 980 B.C., which makes it one of many world’s oldest nations, which is one of the interesting facts about Ethiopia.

Ethiopia is dwelling to the Black Jews, often known as the Falashas or Beta Israel (House of Israel). Various legends declare they’re a misplaced tribe of Israel or descendants of King Solomon.

The historic skeleton was named “Lucy,” after the tune “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” by the Beatles, which was taking part in the expedition camp. This is one of the 50 amazing facts about Ethiopia.

While Mussolini’s males proved inept colonists (the Allies defeated them in 1943), their tenure within the nation did at the least be sure that an Italian-style espresso machine was put in in most cafes, eating places and — weary vacationers will likely be happy to know — even dilapidated roadside shacks.

Lucy, a human fossil believed to have existed over Three million years in the past, was discovered within the Great Rift Valley in Ethiopia in 1974. She was named after the Beatles’ tune Lucy within the Sky with Diamonds,” which was taking part in on the radio at the time she was discovered.

Zebeta is a historic Ethiopian recreation of technique. It is performed utilizing seeds or pebbles and a board with rows of cups. It can also be called wari et solo, mancala, or congkak in several cultures on this planet.

Ethiopia was the first African nation to affix the League of Nations. This is one of the 5 facts about Ethiopia.

Because many Christian Ethiopians quick on Wednesdays, Fridays, and through spiritual holidays by not consuming animal merchandise, there is a selection of native dishes that can be appropriate for vegan, lactose-intolerant, and glucose-intolerant travelers. And they’re normally cheaper than worldwide meals.

Just off the principal road between Lalibela and Aksum lies Debre Damo, a monastery that may be reached solely by scrambling up a 15-meter-high cliff face. This is one of the Ethiopian highlands facts. Gents who courageous the climb can get pleasure from beautiful vistas, in addition to an opportunity to eye among the most historic Christian scripture in Africa.

Female Ethiopian captain Aster Talossa is allegedly the first feminine pilot to shoot down an enemy fighter jet, close to Asmara, in Eritrean airspace, in 2000, within the historical past of aerial warfare.

Ethiopia’s national language is Amharic, however, there are over 82 languages and 200 dialects, or variations, spoken within the nation. This is one of the cool facts about Ethiopia.

Addis Ababa is Ethiopia’s capital metropolis. It means “white flower” and, at 2,400 m above sea stage, it’s the 4th highest capital metropolis on this planet. This is one of the Addis Ababa facts.

Large quantities of uncooked meat are eaten at weddings, festivals, and different particular events. This is one of the 3 facts about Ethiopia.

Raw meat is taken into account a delicacy in Ethiopia, which is one of the interesting facts about Ethiopia.

The buzzing bedlam of Mahatma Gandhi Street in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s capital, is the setting for Castelli’s — arguably one of the best Italian restaurants in this facet of Bologna.

Ethiopian emperor Haile Selassie I is taken into account the son of God among the many followers of the Jamaican Rastafarianism faith. In truth, the title “Rastafari” originates from the emperor’s birthplace, Ras Tafari, which suggests “Prince Tafari” in Amharic. Bob Marley was one well-known Rastafarian. Although the Rastafari motion did evolve in Jamaica, it started in Ethiopia.

Except for the Arabs, the Ethiopians are the one individuals in Africa with their very own indigenous written alphabet, which is one of the interesting facts about Ethiopia.