Ethiopia

Ethiopia was the second country, after Armenia, to adopt Christianity as the official religion. Approximately two thirds of the Ethiopian population is Christian; among them, the majority belongs to the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church. Religion plays a major role in everyday life. Moreover, "the Orthodox Church dominates the political, cultural and social life of the population" (A-Z World Culture). Religious life is an important value to the Christian community. Holidays and Festivals are celebrated with great and colorful events. Important Christian holidays include Meskal (Finding of the True Cross), Gena (Christmas), Timkat (Epiphany), and Fasika (Easter). During these festivities, government offices, banks, business offices and retail stores are usually closed. For the three-day celebration of the Christ’s baptism, the Orthodox community gathers in churches for a mass service. As explained in the A-Z World Culture website, the event is celebrated “with colorful and dramatic processions attended by devotees and priests”. The procession is then followed by loud singing and blowing of horns while the priests and members of the Church carry the Tabot (replica of the Ark of the Covenant). Ethiopian Christians’ devotion to religious life is also seen during the fasting periods. For instance during Siklet (Suffering Friday), “devotees abstain from eating dishes containing meat and dairy products” (A-Z World Culture). Ethiopian Christians believe fasting is a way to attain forgiveness for their sins. Some fasting periods are short lasting from a few days to two weeks. Others may last two months, like the Lenten season that leads up to Easter. Easter is one of the greatest Christian holidays. It is actually considered...

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... are increasingly engaging in gift-giving as to show appreciation and love. During occasions, “hospitality gifts may be offered upon arrival and are often left aside to be opened in private” (A-Z World Culture). Expensive gifts aren’t the norm. Therefore they are kept small and modest to avoid embarrassing the recipient as they will not be able to match it in kind. Greetings are also very warm and respectful. Since relationships are extremely important, Ethiopians typically start meetings with extended social conversations, asking about one’s family and health. All members in a group are greeted starting with the elders. Respect plays a major role in greetings, “it is customary to bow when introduced to someone who is obviously older or has a more senior position” (A-Z World Culture). Sometimes, Ethiopian may even use their left hand to support the right arm.