“Ethiopia always has a special place in my imagination and the prospect of visiting Ethiopia attracted me more strongly than a trip to France, England, and America combined. I felt I would be visiting my own genesis, unearthing the roots of what made me an African.”
– Nelson Mandela
My name is Lidya. I was born in Adama, Ethiopia, about 100 km southeast of Addis Ababa. The capital (Addis Ababa) translates to New Flower in Amharic, one of the most widely spoken among the estimated 90 languages spoken in the country. Although I have spent most of my life in the US and have traveled to nearly 20 countries, Ethiopia is my favorite place. In this blog post, I will go over the history of my homeland, some of its tourist destinations, and Ethiopian cuisine, which you can try right here in Warsaw!
Adama at sunset
Ethiopia boasts one of the oldest and most colorful histories of any African state. Archeologists have discovered the human skeleton of a female dating back 3.2 million years in its Great Rift Valley. Other findings near Hadar have confirmed Ethiopia’s Rift Valley as a major site of early human development. You can view ‘Lucy’ or ‘dinkenesh’ as referred to by locals, meaning ‘wonderful,’ on the ground floor of the National Museum in Addis Ababa. I visited the museum when I was about 10 years old, and I thought it was pretty fascinating.
In Ethiopia, you can find remnants of ancient civilizations, impressive rock-hewn churches, and castles. The ancient city of Axum in the northern region was an influential trading center from the 1st to the 8th centuries AD. The ruins of the Aksumite civilization are in modern-day Tigray. The site includes monolithic obelisks, royal tombs, and palace ruins.
Obelisks of Axum in Tigray, Ethiopia
In the 12th and 13th centuries, the capital of Ethiopia had shifted to near present-day Lalibela, Gondar; there, you will find 11 medieval monolithic churches carved out of rock. This important site for pilgrimage and prayer is popular all year round, but especially during January when many Orthodox Christians in Ethiopia travel for the ‘Timket’ or ‘Baptism’ festival.
Lalibela in the highlands of Gondar
Another historical site in Gondar is the fortress city of Fasil Ghebbi, which was the residence of the Ethiopian emperor Fasilides and his successors in the 16th and 17th centuries. It contains palaces, churches, and monasteries.
Fasil Ghebbi, Gondar
Ethiopia is a landlocked country, but it has many lakes and rivers. My favorites are lake Bishoftu, lake Langano and Arba Minch (Chamo and Abaya lakes).
Arba Minch is a city in the southern part of Ethiopia, bordered by mountains. ‘Arba Minch’ means “40 Springs,” in Amharic. The name originates from the presence of more than 40 springs in the Abaya and Chamo Rift Valley lakes.
Haile Resort Arba Minch Arba Minch is known for its fresh seafood and fruits. Fried fish is a popular dish among locals and tourists. While in Arba Minch, you can visit the crocodile ranch and market on Lake Chamo. You can also go to the nearby Nechisar National Park, where you will spot zebras and monkeys.Kuriftu Resort & Spa Bishoftu
Ethiopian cuisine reflects the diverse regions and ethnic groups of the country; it is a mix of flavors, colors, and textures. Most dishes are served with Injera, a sour flatbread slightly thicker than a crepe. While most Ethiopian dishes are vegan-friendly, due to the common fasting culture in the Ethiopian Orthodox Christian community, there are also many meat-based foods. Below are some popular dishes you can try at an Ethiopian restaurant like Queen Sheba in Warsaw.
Beyaynetu food, which is an Ethiopian combination platter, served on injera, which represents the traditional Ethiopian flatbread.Kitfo: usually made from beef and served raw, with butter and spices. Typically eaten during special occasions. Tibs, one of the famous foods in Ethiopia is meat fried along with other ingredients such as butter, onion, pepper and vegetables. Ethiopian food is designed to be sharable. Meals are often followed by a coffee ceremony.
Travel within Ethiopia is not currently recommended due to safety issues arising from ethnic tensions in different regions. However, Ethiopia is still a must-experience country with its beautiful landscapes, diverse culture, and rich history.
