Table of Contents
Map of Ethiopia 7
Introduction 8
Key Facts 10
1 Land and people 13
Geography 13
Climate 16
Flora and Fauna 17
People 19
Regions 20
A Brief History 29
Government and Politics 43
The Economy 44
International Relations 47
2 Values and attitudes 49
National Identity 49
Ethiopia's Cultures 51
Attitudes Toward Foreigners 54
Attitudes Toward Borders and Neighbors 55
Religious Tradition and Modern Aspiration 56
Education 57
Hierarchy and Administration 58
Militarism 59
Democracy and Human Rights 60
Attitudes Toward the Environment 61
Attitudes to Pain and Suffering 63
Attitudes to Death 64
Gender and Sexuality 65
Work Ethic and Attitudes to Time 66
3 Religion and tradition 69
Orthodox Christianity 69
Monastic Life 74
Fasting 76
Main Feast Days 76
Baptism 79
Catholic Christianity 79
Protestant Christianity 80
Islam 81
Circulation 82
Traditional Beliefs 83
Weddings 84
Funerals 85
Coffee Ceremony and Stimulants 87
Time and Calndar 89
4 Making Friends 91
Ethiopians and Foreigners 91
Invitations Home 93
How Do You Meet Ethiopians? 94
Men and Women-Cross-Cultural Relationships 94
Low Life 96
Avoiding Exploitation in Relationships 96
Greetings and Farewells 98
5 The Ethiopians at Home 101
The Home and the Compound 101
The Family 103
Life's Routines 105
Daily Work 107
Growing Up in Ethiopia 109
Marriage 111
Death and Mourning 113
The Year's Round 113
Dress 115
Drinking Coffee 117
6 Time Out 119
After Work and Weekends 122
Weddings and Family Events 123
Menafesha 123
Spas 124
Ethiopian Cuisine and Drink 125
Eating Out and Bars 127
Sports 130
Music and Art 131
Shopping 134
Places to Go 134
Begging 138
7 Travel, health, and safety 141
Ethiopians on the Move 141
Arrivals 142
Transportation 144
Getting About in Taxis 146
Bajaj and Gari 148
Renting Cars and Booking Flights 149
Flights 150
Roads 150
Walking in Cities 153
Where to Stay 154
Health 156
HIV/AIDS 157
Latrines 157
Security 158
8 Business Briefing 163
The Business Environment 163
Investing in Ethiopia 166
The Business Culture 169
Legalities 171
Exchange Control 172
Bureaucracy 172
Meetings 173
Contracts and Fulfillment 176
Women Entrepreneurs 176
9 Communicating 179
Language 179
Forms of Address and Body Language 184
Good Manners, Reticence, and Social Nuances 185
Humor 187
The Media 188
Telephones and the Internet 190
Postal Systems 192
Conclusion 193
Further Reading 194
Useful Apps and Websites 196
Index 198
Acknowledgments 200
