Ethiopia is one of Africa's oldest countries. Its amazing history goes back thousands of years! Ethiopian culture is rich, full of things to do, taste, see and explore. Here are some interesting facts about this unique country.
Ancient Abyssinia and the History of the Ethiopian Empire
General Facts
Ethiopia is a landlocked country located in East Africa. It is officially known as the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, and it has a population of 109 million (as of 2019), making it the most populous landlocked country in the world. Ethiopia is the second-most populous nation on the continent of Africa.
The capital and largest city of Ethiopia is Addis Ababa. In Amharic language, “Addis Ababa” (or “Addis Abeba”) means “new flower”. In Oromo language, the city is called Finfinne, which means “natural spring”. The city of Addis Ababa is populated by roughly 2,739,551 inhabitants, according to a 2007 census. Addis Ababa is a Chartered City, which means it is also the capital city of the Oromia Region, the Ethiopian regional state inhabited by the Oromo people. The official language of Ethiopia is Amharic, along with six regional languages: Afar, Harari, Oromo, Tigrinya, Sidama, and Somali. The major religion in Ethiopia is Christianity.
Ethiopia is governed as an Ethno-federalist, parliamentary, constitutional republic. An Ethno-federalist government is a federal system of government that defines federal units according to ethnicity. Ethiopia has ten federal regions and two city administrations: Addis Ababa (city); Afar Region; Amhara Region; Benishangul-Gumuz Region; Dire Dawa (city); Gambella Region; Harari Region; Oromia Region; Somali Region; Southern Nations, Nationalities, and People’s Region; Tigray Region; and Sidama Region.
The demonym for the citizens of Ethiopia is Ethiopians, which consists of various ethnic groups inhabiting the country. These ethnic groups and the percentage of the population they consist of are as follows:
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| Ethnic Group | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Oromo | 34.5% |
| Amhara | 26.9% |
| Somali | 6.2% |
| Tigrayan | 6.1% |
| Sidama | 4% |
| Gurage | 2.5% |
| Wolayta | 2.3% |
| Hadiya | 1.7% |
| Afar | 1.7% |
Geography
Ethiopia is the world’s 28th-largest country, and it is 1,104,300 square kilometers wide. A large part of Ethiopia is located on the easternmost side of the African continent, and the majority of Ethiopia lies in the Horn of Africa. The Horn of Africa is an African peninsula that lies along the southern side of the Red Sea. Ethiopia is bordered by Eritrea to the north, Djibouti to the northeast, Somalia to the east, Kenya to the south, South Sudan to the west, and Sudan to the northwest, making it a landlocked country.
Historical Background
Over time, people moved around and the empire grew. This led to many different groups joining Ethiopia, like the Amhara, Oromos, Somalis, and Tigray.
D'mt (980 BC-c. 400 BC)
The first known kingdom in Ethiopia was D'mt, which rose around 980 BC. Its capital was Yeha, where a temple similar to those in Saba (Yemen) was built. For a while, people thought D'mt was a Sabaean colony. However, now historians believe Sabaean influence was small and didn't last long. Not many records or archaeological findings from D'mt survive. This kingdom was theoretically pronounced as Da’amat. It existed in Eritrea and the Tigray Region of Ethiopia. Little documentation of this kingdom has survived, so it is unknown if the kingdom of D’mt successfully progressed into civilization.
Kingdom of Aksum (80 BC - 940 AD)
The first truly powerful kingdom in Ethiopia was Aksum, which started in the 1st century CE. It was one of the kingdoms that followed D'mt. Aksum managed to unite the northern Ethiopian Highlands around the 1st century BCE. They expanded southward from their bases. Historians are still unsure about the exact beginnings of Aksum. We don't even know for sure who the earliest king was. It was also known as the Aksumite Empire or the Kingdom of Axum. The Kingdom of Aksum succeeded the Kingdom of D’mt and was also centered in Eritrea and Tigray Region of Ethiopia. The city of Axum (now a tourist city) was the Axumite center of politics. It played a role on the commercial route between the Roman Empire and India. Axumites succeeded in minting their own currency.
Christianity came to Ethiopia through Frumentius, who became the first bishop of Ethiopia around 330 CE. Frumentius converted King Ezana. Ezana's early writings thank a god of war for his victories. Ezana's kingdom expanded, possibly leading to the fall of the Kingdom of Kush in Sudan. Aksum then shared a border with the Roman province of Egypt.
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Aksum was at its most powerful under Ezana and King Kaleb. In the 6th century CE, Aksum controlled parts of Yemen. Around 523 CE, a Jewish king named Dhu Nuwas came to power in Yemen. He attacked Christians, burning churches and killing those who wouldn't convert to Judaism. The Roman Emperor Justin I asked King Kaleb for help. Around 525 CE, Kaleb invaded Yemen and defeated Dhu Nuwas.
The end of the Aksumite Kingdom is a bit of a mystery. It might have been caused by long droughts, too much grazing, cutting down too many trees, a plague, or changes in trade routes.
Zagwe Dynasty (900-1270)
Around 1000 AD, a Jewish princess named Yodit (or "Gudit") is said to have tried to kill all the members of the royal family to become queen. Legend says a baby heir was saved and taken to Shewa. Gudit ruled for 40 years. Later, an Agaw lord named Mara Takla Haymanot overthrew Yodit's successors. He started the Zagwe dynasty, named after his people. The Zagwe kings made their capital at Roha (now Lalibela). They built amazing monolithic churches, carved right out of rock. Many of these are linked to King Gebre Mesqel Lalibela. This medieval kingdom existed in northern Ethiopia. The Zagwe Dynasty was centered in Lalibela, a town in the Lasta Amhara Region.
The Zagwe dynasty ruled a smaller area than Aksum. They seemed to have a peaceful kingdom with a strong culture. Unlike the Aksumites, the Zagwe were quite isolated from other Christian nations. However, they kept some contact through Jerusalem and Cairo.
Ethiopian Empire (1270-1974)
Around 1270, a new dynasty began in the Ethiopian highlands under Yekuno Amlak. This new dynasty claimed to be direct descendants of the Aksumite kings, linking them back to King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba. This empire is also known as Abyssinia, or just simply Ethiopia. The Ethiopian Empire is a monarchy that ruled over Ethiopia and Eritrea. The Ethiopian Empire was believed to begin when the Solomonic dynasty was established by Yekuno Amlak, an Amharan prince, in 1270. The Ethiopian Empire lasted until 1974.
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Under the Solomonic dynasty, the main regions were Tigray, Amhara, and Shewa. The ruler, called nəgusä nägäst (King of Kings), usually lived in Amhara or Shewa. The early Solomonic period saw military improvements and the empire expanded, especially under Amda Seyon I. There was also great progress in art and writing. During this time, monasticism (monk life) grew strong.
The fall of the Ethiopian Empire was due to the coup d’etat by the communist Derg, who overthrew the Emperor Haile Selassie.
Derg (1974-1987)
It was officially known as the Provisional Military Government of Socialist Ethiopia. It is a military junta, or committee, that ruled Ethiopia after the fall of the Ethiopian Empire.
People’s Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (1987-1991)
This was a communist state that ruled Ethiopia. It governed Ethiopia as a Unitary Marxist-Leninist, one-party, socialist republic, ruled by an authoritarian dictator. Eritrea separated from Ethiopia in 1993.
The current constitution of Ethiopia was imposed on August 21, 1995. It is the supreme law of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. It is a constitution that consists of 106 articles within 11 chapters. It provides a federal government that defines its units according to nine ethnically based regions of Ethiopia.
Ethiopian Culture
Ethiopians have a distinct naming system. The children’s given name is the sum of their father and their paternal grandfather’s given names. Ethiopia has a distinct calendar called the Ge’ez calendar. The day in Ethiopia begins at 6:00 in the morning, not at 0:00 or 12 midnight, as time is counted in a different way in this country.
Landmarks
- Allalobed Geysers: A group of hot springs and geysers located in Afar.
- Anabe Forest: A unique yellowwood forest that is 53 hectares wide, located in Amhara.
- Grand Muleta Cloud Forest: A diverse mountain cloud forest found in Oromia.
- Goda Roriisso: A giant boulder covered with ancient Ethiopian artworks, located in Oromia.
- Axum Obelisk: An obelisk up to 24 meters high, which was made in the 4th century and is located in Tigray.
Challenges Faced by Children in Ethiopia
However, the country is also home to thousands of children living in impoverished communities. Children in Africa are at high risk of death from a young age. In Ethiopia, the under-5 mortality rate is high at 46.2 deaths per 1,000 live births.
According to UNICEF, only 33.1% of children make it to secondary school in Ethiopia. Around 90% of 10-year-old children in Ethiopia don’t know how to read. Unfortunately, children without educations often lack the skills needed to become self-sufficient adults.
At Compassion, we provide the educational tools children need to attend school, from supplies and tuition to tutoring. We also provide vocational opportunities so children can learn job skills and become certified in their areas of interest. This critical care continues through a baby’s first year of life, giving them a healthy foundation for growth. We believe all children should be given the chance to thrive.
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