| Phone | +251 118 69 72 46 |
| Mobile | +251 911 62 28 16 |
| Mobile 2 | +251 930 10 57 79 |
| Business Type | Private |
| Location | Bekelo Bet, Near Global Hotel, Garad Building, 4th Floor, Office #409/410, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia |
| Primary Category | Air Ticket Sales and Travel Agency |
Ebyet Tour and Travel is one of the well-established and reliable travel companies in Ethiopia since the year 2000. We are licensed by the Ethiopian Ministry of Cultural and Tourism, with our head office in Addis Ababa, which is in the hub of the country, and seat of the African Union (AU) and United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UN-ECA). Ebyet Tour has been appointed as the Ground Service Agent by many international and domestic travel companies.
Our core mission is Total Quality Management, ensuring customer satisfaction, first time and every time. We continuously search for new discoveries in countries in our vicinity (such as Djibouti and Tanzania). We plan every single detail thoroughly in order to satisfy any specific travel needs of our clients. With our long experience and care, we ensure our visitors the most enjoyable and memorable trip of their lifetime. Using Ebyet Tour and Travel is your assurance to enjoy and receive quality services while you are traveling within your budget.
Day 1: Addis Ababa- Bahir Dar Fly to Bahir Dar, then drive to have boat excursion on Lake Tana. Afternoon, you will visit the magnificent Blue Nile falls. Dinner and overnight in a hotel
Day 2: Bahir Dar - Gonder
drive to Gonder then visit the town with its great modern historical treasures. Dinner and overnight in a hotel
Day 3: Gonder - Lalibela
Fly to Lalibela, the rest of the day visit the 11 rock hewn churches of Lalibela. Dinner and overnight in a hotel
Day 4: Lalibela – Axum
Fly to Axum. The rest of the day you will visit the ancient town of Axum. Dinner and overnight in a hotel
Day 5 Axum - Addis Ababa
Morning flight back to Addis. Rest of day, you will visit the museums and shopping places of Addis, farewell dinner and departure home.
Ethiopia, officially known as Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia is a country located in the Horn of Africa (northeastern Africa). It is surrounded by Eritrea, Djibouti, Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan and Kenya. It is the 2nd most populous country in Africa. Let us know some interesting facts about Ethiopia
Ethiopia is the origin of human beings and human technologies longer than almost anywhere else in the world. It is one of the best open air museums in the world in which the early direct ancestors of human being lived before millions of years.
Emperor Hailesilassie I firmly believed that the states of Africa should unite and be its own master. This led to the birth of Pan Africanism. This thought materialized to what is the African Union today.
Addis Ababa is the highest city in Africa and the seat for African Union. The hottest place in the world is the Afar depression or the Afar triangle. The highlight is that it remains so throughout the year.
Ethiopian fathers and their children do not share last names. The children take the first name of their father as their last name.
Ethiopia has a different time calculating system and three hours ahead of Green witch Mean time (GMT). The Ethiopian day is calculated in a manner similar to that in many equatorial countries, where day and night is always the same length. Time remains constant through the year counting starts from western 6 and 6 Western 7 is there fore one o'clock, noon is 6 o' clock and 6 is 12 o'clock. In Addis Ababa, then sunrise and sunset at around 6:30 and 18.45 respectively.
Addis Ababa City Tour Package ID: 1001
Duration: Half/Full Day
Season: January- December
Activities: Church, Museum, sightseeing
Customize: This package can be customized
Accommodation: Hotel
Addis Ababa (New Flower):- Whatever you want, you will find it at Addis, from sizzling entertainment, theatre extravaganza, world class Hotels and restaurants to cater for all tastes. See the Century city of Ethiopia; fantastic mixture of old and New, Cultural and Commercial centre, seat of Government, considered to be the political capital of Africa, is the home of the African Union (AU) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA). More than 95 embassies from all over the world have their missions there.*Entoto hill view – *Old Menelik Palace- *Churches – *Museums – *Monuments- *shopping and more…
You sip your early morning coffee as you leave on your early morning drive to Entoto hill. Enjoy spectacular views on the way up to the hill; you will observe the drop in temperature and the air is filled with the aroma of the Eucalyptus trees which line the road.From the top, a panoramic view of the capital and surrounding countryside. There is an old imperial palace of Emperor Menelik II at Entoto, and also two important churches; the churches of St. Mariam and the Archangel Raguel and a small museum in the compound of St Marry church.
Leaving the churches we go downhill to Addis Ababa, stopping off at the National Museum. Here visitors can see exhibits ranging from the 3.5 million-year-old bones of Lucy and other archaeological findings. You will also visit the Holy Trinity Cathedral.After lunch enjoy the afternoon leisure which will give you a wonderful opportunity for shopping in some of Addis Ababa finest shopping and souvenir centers, and also visiting landmarks and monuments.
This tour will comprise the historical sites and natural attraction in Addis Ababa..
As interesting as it is, you probably will not want to stay in Addis too long unless you have some serious shopping to do. Better venture out to the surrounding countryside. The five roads fanning out of the city each has different things to offer from crater lakes to ancient monasteries, spectacular gorges, wildlife, spa resorts and even rock-hewn Churches.
DEBRE LIBANOS AND JEMMA GORGE
The first Tabbot of Debre Libanos, with whom the monastery is strongly associated, is an important figure in Ethiopian history. He convinced the Kings of the Zagwe Dynasty of Lalibela to abdicate to return the throne to the Solomonic line, and was involved in spreading the Orthodox faith south. Abune Tekle-Haimanot (1260 A.D) was later canonized for all his deeds. A cave where he is supposed to have prayed for seven years standing on one foot is one of the sacred spots of Debre Libanos that pilgrims flock to. Perhaps because of these beginnings, Debre Libanos has been one of the most important and influential monasteries in the land while its titular head has been regarded as the premier monk of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church.
THE AMBO ROAD
Wonchi Crater Lake and Mountain so far could prepare us for the truly enchanting and picturesque Wonchi Crater Lake hidden in the 3,386m-high extinct volcano 30 km south of Ambo. The mountain is high enough to have a characteristic forest zone with an area of heath moorland and other associated vegetation and wildlife. You can get down to the Lake by walking or on horseback hired at the village on the rim of the crater. Once down, dugout wooden canoes can take you to the ancient Church on an island and to the mineral hot water springs.
MELKA KUNTURE
Lying on the south bank of the Awash River near the town of Melka Awash, is Melka Kunture regarded to be one of the most important Stone Age archaeological sites of Ethiopia. Thousands of tools in the form of hand axes and cleavers found here are dated back to 1.5 million years old. There is a good display of these at the National Museum in Addis Abeba.
ROCK-HEWN ADADI MARIAM
This is the southern most rock-hewn Church in Ethiopia, and the local stories and traditions associate it with King Lalibela’s visit to nearby Mount Ziquala in 1106 AD. Like so many other Churches, Adadi Mariam was attacked by Ahmed Gragn in the 16th century. This led to its disuse for several centuries until it was discovered by hunters at the time of Menelik II.
WORLD HERITAGE TIYA
Prehistoric cave paintings, rock art, stone engravings and monuments are found all over southern Ethiopia. The area around Tiya is particularly rich in anthropomorphic monoliths. What makes the stelae of Tiya special is their number in one place (40), the enigmatic symbols engraved on them along with their size, up to two meters high. Tiya has been declared a world heritage by UNESCO, one of seven such sites in the country, to highlight the widespread presence of mysterious engraved stelae stretching across this region of southern Ethiopia.
DEBRE ZEIT CRATER LAKES
There are no less than seven of these lakes, one up on the Ziquala Mountain but most are sunken below ground level (Bishoftu, Hora, Abanquadi or the Green Lake). All the lakes support a variety of bird colonies.
SODORE SPA RESORT
In so many places all along the Great Rift Valley, the volcanic fires underneath the surface manifest themselves in various forms: as smoldering fumaroles, as crackling geysers, gushing hot water streams and as bubbling hot springs.Ethiopia’s potential for geothermal power generation and therapeutic facilities are known to be immense. However at present, the Langano Geothermal Project and the modest Sodore hot springs Resort are the only such developments to speak of. Most go to Sodore for its hot water treatment facilities and to swim in the Olympic-size pool. To others, its nature and wildlife (crocodiles, grivet monkeys and birds) along the Awash River banks are the main attraction here.
AWASH NATIONAL PARK
The Awash National Park, the first to be developed, is located 220 km east of Addis with an area of 837 sq km. Nearly 50 large mammals and 400 bird species characteristic of the dry thorn scrub ecosystem have been recorded in the park. Another interesting feature is the Awash River Gorge that makes up the park’s southern boundary with a waterfall at its head. There is also a palm-lined, shimmering, aquamarine hot spring pool and the Fentalae Volcano with steaming fumaroles. The mystical frankincense (Gum arabica) tree grows in the park - the nearest location to Addis where it can be found.
THE GREAT RIFT AND ETHIOPIA’S LAKES REGION
Literally the largest valley on the earth, the Great Rift Valley is one of the planet’s most outstanding features, running supposedly from Lake Baikal in Russia to Mozambique in Africa and harboring a prolific variety of animals and plants. It also contains many interesting geological features.
In prehistoric times, humans and animals lived along the shores of the rift’s rivers and lakes, making it today a favourite of paleontologists. Already they have made many fascinating finds such as the 3.5 million-year-old Lucy or Dinqnesh, the “most complete and best preserved skeleton of any human ancestor yet discovered”
CATEGORY: TREKKING IN BALE MOUNTAINS
TRANSPORTATION: SURFACE AND TREK
TOUR DURATION: 14 DAYS
CATERGORY: TREKKING IN BALE MOUNTAINS
TRANSPORTATION: SURFACE AND TREK
TOUR DURATION: 9 DAYS
In this category, Petra Travel offers tour packages to sites with astonishing natural formations, features and animal life. Accordingly, Birding and Trekking are included under this category. We have trekking tours to Bale and Semien Mountains and Birding in most parts of Ethiopia.
CATERGORY: TREKKING WITH HISTORICAL SIGHTSEEING
TRANSPORTATION: FLIGHT, SURFACE AND TREK
TOUR DURATION: 9 DAYS
CATERGORY: TREKKING WITH HISTORICAL SIGHTSEEING
TRANSPORTATION: FLIGHT, SURFACE AND TREK
TOUR DURATION: 7 DAYS
CATERGORY: TREKKING WITH HISTORICAL SIGHTSEEING
TRANSPORTATION: FLIGHT, SURFACE AND TREK
TOUR DURATION: 15 DAYS
CATERGORY: TREKKING IN BALE MOUNTAINS
TRANSPORTATION: SURFACE AND TREK
TOUR DURATION: 5 DAYS
Religion plays an imperative part of life in Ethiopia, Especially the Orthodox Church ceremonies are unique and impressive; principally Gena or Lidet (Ethiopian Christmas), Timket (Epiphany) and Meskel (The finding of the true cross in which Christ crucifix) are among the most important festivals which provide colorful ceremonies and celebrations. During festivals People dress in traditional costume made of cotton by weaving, we organize well-crafted tour program that meet important festivals with other tour packages according to your interest.
Enkutatash (Ethiopian New Year):-falls on (Meskerm 1) the first month of the year in Ethiopian calendar or September 11 Gregorian calendar at the end of the Ethiopian rain season.
Enkutatash- which means the "gift of jewels" When the famous Queen of Sheba returned from her expensive trip to visit King Solomon in Jerusalem, her chiefs welcomed her bolt by replenishing her treasury with inku or jewels. The spring festival has been celebrated since this early time and as the rains come to their abrupt end, dancing and singing can be heard at every village in the green countryside. Today's Enkutatash is also the season for exchanging formal New Year greetings and cards with beloved once.
The feast is celebrated in Ethiopia on September 17 Ethiopian calendar (September 27 Gregorian calendar), Meskal has been celebrated in the country for over 1600 years. The word actually means "cross" and the feast commemorates the discovery of the cross upon which Jesus was crucified, by the Empress Helena, the mother of Constantine the Great. The feast is now celebrated on 27 September.
Many of the rites observed throughout the festival are said to be directly connected to the legend of Empress Helena. On the eve of Meskal, tall branches are tied together and yellow daisies, popularly called Meskal Flowers, are placed at the top. During the night those branches are gathered together in front of the compound gates and ignited - This symbolizes the actions of the Empress who, when no one would show the Holy crypt, lit incense and prayed for help. Where the smoke drifted, she dug and found three crosses. To one of the three, on the True Cross of Jesus, many miracles were attributed.
Meskal also signifies the physical presence of part of the True Cross at the church of Egziabher Ab , the remote mountain monastery of Gishen Mariam located 483 kms north of Addis Ababa in Wello administrative zone.
During this time of the year flowers gloom on mountain and plain and the meadows are yellow with the brilliant Meskal daisy. Dancing, feasting, merrymaking, bonfires and even gun salutes mark the occasion. The festival begins by planting a green tree on Meskal eve in town squares and village market places. Everyone brings a pole topped with Meskal daisies to form the towering pyramid that will be a beacon of flame. Torches of tree branches tied up together called "Chibo" are used to light the bundle called "Demera". Addis Ababa particularly Meskal Squire is the best place to celebrate the festivals.
Genna (Christmas) falls on December 29 Ethiopian calendars (January 7 Gregorian calendar). Ledet (Christmas) , it is celebrated seriously by a church service that goes on throughout the night after 43 days fasting known as Tsome Gahad (Advent), with a spectacular procession, which begins at 6 AM and lasts until 9 AM. After the mass service, people go home to break the fast with the meat of chicken or lamb or beef accompanied with injera and the traditional drinks (i.e. tella or tej). Traditionally, young men played a game similar to hockey, called genna , on this day, and now Christmas has also come to be known by that name.
This is the greatest festival of the year, falling on 19 January, just two weeks after the Ethiopian Christmas. It is actually a three-day affair, beginning on the Eve of Timkat with dramatic and colorful processions. The following morning, the great day itself, Christ's baptism in the Jordan River by John the Baptist is commemorated. The third day is devoted to the Feast of St. Michael, the archangel, one of the Ethiopia's most popular saints.
Enormous effort is put into the occasion. Tej and tella (Ethiopian mead and beer) are brewed, special bread is baked, and the fat-tailed African sheep are fattened for slaughter. Gifts are prepared for the children and new clothes purchased or old mended and laundered. Everyone--men, women, and children--appears resplendent for the three-day celebration. Dressed in the dazzling white of the traditional dress, the locals provide a dramatic contrast to the jewel colors of the ceremonial velvets and satins of the priests' robes and sequined velvet umbrellas.
On the eve of the 18 January, Ketera, the priests take away the tabots from each church and bless the water of the pool or river where the next day' celebration will take place. It is the tabot (symbolizing the Ark of the Covenant containing the Ten Commandments) rather than the church building which is consecrated, and it is accorded extreme reverence. Not to be desecrated by the gaze of the layman, the engraved wooden or stone slab is carried under layers of rich cloth.
In Addis Ababa, many churches bring their tabots to Jan Meda (the horse racing course of imperial day) accompanied by priests bearing prayer sticks and sistra, the ringing of bells and blowing of trumpets, and swinging bronze censors from which wisps of incense smoke escape into the evening air. The tabots rests in their special tent at the meadow, each raise a proud banner depicting the church's saint in front.
The priests pray throughout the long cold night mass is performed around 2:00 a.m. huge crowds of people camp out, eating and drinking by the light of flickering fires and torches. Towards dawn the patriarch dip a golden cross and extinguish a burning consecrated candle on the altar, then he sprinkles water on the assembled congregation in commemoration of Christ's baptism. Many of the more fervent leaps fully dressed into the water to renew their vows.
Following the baptism the tabots start back to their respective churches, while feasting, singing and dancing continue at Jan Meda. The procession winds through town again as the horsemen cavort alongside, their mount handsomely decorated with red tassels, embroidered saddle cloths, and silver bridles. The elders march solemnly, accompanied by singing, leaping priest and young men, while the beating of staffs and prayer sticks recalls the ancient rites of the Old Testament.
Fasika (Easter) is celebrated after 55 days severe Lent fasting (Hudade or Abye Tsome).according to Orthodox Tewahedo Christians do not eat meat and dairy products for the whole 55 days. Vegetarian meals such as lentils, ground split peas, grains, fruit and varieties of vegetable stew accompanied by Enjera and/or bread are only eaten on these days. The fist meal of the day is taken after 3 PM (9 o'clock in the afternoon Ethiopian time) during the fasting days, except Saturdays and Sundays, where a meal is allowed after the morning service.
On Easter eve people go to church and celebrate with candles which are lit during a colorful Easter mass service which begins at about 6 PM (12 o'clock in the evening Ethiopian time) and ends at about 2 AM (8 o'clock after mid-night Ethiopian time). Everyone goes home to break the fast with the meat of chicken or lamb, slaughtered the previous night after 6 PM, accompanied with Enjera and traditional drinks (i.e. tella or tej). Like Christmas, Easter is also a day of family re-union, an expression of good wishes with exchange of gifts.
The feast of Saint Gabriel (kulubi Gebriel), the Archangel, is celebrated on December 19 Ethiopian calendar (December 28 Gregorian calendar) which culminates in a pilgrimage to Kulubi a small town, about 68 kilometers from Dire Dawa. Orthodox Tewahedo Christians mark the celebration with colourful processions and ceremonies. Pilgrims walk up the hill to the church to fulfill a vow and give gifts to the church. Normally this festival is attending with the combination of Harar, eastern historic route.
The 16th Century Cathedral of St. Mary of Zion was probably built on an earlier 4th century church, and is the holiest church in Ethiopia. In its sanctuary is said to lest the original Ark of the Covenant and the belief that the Ark itself is a symbolism to Her Womb. It is celebrated on November 30 and attended by tens of thousands of religious people from all over Ethiopia, making it one of the most Joyous annual pilgrimages in Axum, the “Sacred City of the Ethiopians”.
Category: Geological Tour and Sightseeing
Transportation: Surface
Tour Duration: 14 days
Category: Geological Tour and Sightseeing
Transportation:Surface
Tour Duration: 16 days
Category: Geological Tour and Sightseeing
Transportation: Surface
Tour Duration: 18 days
Category: Geological Tour and Sightseeing
Transportation: Surface
Tour Duration: 20 days
Ethiopia is rich in culture and traditions, with strong religious customs from the 5th century BC that continue to play an important part in the people’s daily lives.
Tourists are welcome to share in the greatest of Ethiopian festivals, Timket (Epiphany), along with other the glorious celebrations of Enkutatash (Ethiopian New Year), Meskel (The Finding of the True Cross), Gena (Christmas), and Fasika (Easter). Every region has its own local festivals and ceremonies where visitors are treated like honoured guests.
While checking the dates of these events, do bear in mind that Ethiopia retains the Julian calendar (almost eight years behind the Gregorian) and has 13 months. The Ethiopian New Year falls in early September.
The many different cultures associated with the peoples of Ethiopia can be breathtaking for visitors. These include the lip-plates of the Surma and Mursi, the head-dressing, hair styles, and the body paintings of the Hamer and the Karo, the Guragie enset (false banana) lifestyle, the village and agricultural terracing styles of the Konso, and the shoulder jerking dance of the Amhara.
With us you can witness something of the culture of at least a third of the peoples of Ethiopia. Tours can be arranged to all parts of the country but Paradise Ethiopia Travel specialises in visiting three distinct ethnic groups.
Like all countries with a broad mixture of people, their day-to-day lifestyle is influenced as much by their surroundings as by their heritage. Many peopled are traditional herdsmen-Ethiopia has the largest herds in Africa-and 90% of our population are engaged in agriculture.
The Anuak of the south-west, the Borena who live on the border with Kenya, and the people of Ogaden live a nomadic and pastoral life. In the central highlands, where the land has been farmed for generations, the people are more sedentary, living on lnds they hve cultivated with cereals, pulses and vegedtables. With so many lakes and rivers in Ethiopia, It is no wonder that fishing is important to certain groups, such as the Gambella who live along the banks of the Baro, and the Mursi, Karo and Galeb along the River Omo. The costumes of the pople are as varied as their lifestyles, and provide a fascinating glimpse into their love of ornamentation, often reflected in both modern and traditional styles.
Timeless symbols such as the lion’s mane and cross have long been used as decoration, and jewelers is an integral part of any traditional dress. The basic costume of highland Ethiopia is the shamma, a loose fitting garment worn over skirts or trousers. Also worn is the netela, a light cotton shawl, or kutta, a slightly heavier version. The gabi, a warm blanked-like cloth is worn in colder regions, while the kemis is a full length embroidered dress worn by women.
The Tsemai, the dominant people of Weito village on the Konso-Jinka road, are regarded to be among the least known ethnic groups of Ethiopia. Estimated to be a total of some 5000 people, their territory extends along the western bank of the Weito River, known in Tsemai as the Dulaika River. They are mixed subsistence farmers who practice flood cultivation, with the major crops being sorghum and maize. They also rear livestock, especially cattle, and keep beehives for honey. The Tsemai speak an Omotic language with an influence of Eastern Cushitic language that is closely related to the one spoken in Konso, which, according to oral tradition, is from where their founding chief Asasa originated. The present chief, who lives at the long-standing Tsemai capital of Ganda Bogolkila, is claimed to be the ninth in line after Asasa, suggesting that this migration might have happened between 150 and 250 years ago.
Although their appearance and dress style is similar to that of the Omotic Ari people, the Tsemai share closer political and spiritual affiliations with the Erbore, who speak a similar language, and whose territory lies adjacent to the Tsemai chief’s village. The Tsemai also frequently and openly intermarry with the Hammer, whose territory lies immediately west of theirs. In common with many other people of southern Ethiopia, society is structured around and age set system. Four fixed age sets are recognized, with every set graduating in seniority once a decade, when a new generation of boys between the ages of about 11 and 22 is initiated.
Although relatively large, Erbore is far more rustic and unaffected than many similarly sized towns in South Omo, with the police station on its outskirts more-or -less the only building that isn’t constructed along traditional lines.
In common with their linguistically and culturally affiliated Tsemai neighbors, the Erbore migrated to their present homeland from Konso perhaps two centuries ago. Because they have ancestral and cultural links to Konso and the pastoralists of the surrounding lowlands, the Erbore traditionally played an important role as middlemen in trade between the Omo River and the Konso Highlands.
The town of Erbore lies in and area where several tribal boundaries converge, and because the Erbore people routinely intermarry with other ethnic groups like the Guji and Borena Oromo, The Hammer and the Tsemai. It is also inhabited by a substantial number of Hammer and even Borena women – adding a cosmopolitan feel to the worthwhile Saturday market.
The Dasenech, alternatively known as the Geleb or Galeba, Marille and Reshiat, live just north of Lake Turkana, the region where Ethiopia borders Kenya and Sudan. These names all concern the same people, in total 24.000 souls. The Dasenech are neighbored by Turkana and Bume and are Ethiopia's most southern people.
The Dasenech can however be divided in eight clans. These are the Elele (ca. 6,000 people), Inkabelo (8,000), Inkoria (3,000), Koro (700), Naritch (3,000), Oro (1,000), Randal (1,000), and Ri'ele (600). Two of them (Inkabelo and Inkoria) come forth from the same ancestors: the Nyupe tribe in West-Kenya, also called the Pokot. These have more or less assimilated the Naritch (probably a splinter group of the Murle of Western Ethiopia) and the Oro. The Oro historically probably have had the dominating language and are solely responsible for the Kushite language now spoken by all Dasenech. The river people Ri'ele seem to have Borena background but have been Dasenech as time went by. The Randal are connected historically with the Rendille of Northern Kenya, whereas the Koro are related to the Maasai of Lake Turkana's west coast. Having contemplated this information it will not be hard to understand that the Dasenech aren't a united people, but more like a cluster of small groups with shared language, land, and rituals.
All clans have a more or less defined territory, except for the Koro and Oro, who are semi-nomadic. The Inkabelo are the wealthiest Dasenech and occupy the best land (Oro and Koro actually travel around in Inkabelo land). One other thing worth mentioning is that all Dasenech seem to have natural antipathy against fish. Eating fish is really a last resort in times of crises. The most important ritual of the Dasenech is the so-called dime. Taking part in the dime ritual are those men who have daughters that have already reached puberty. After the ceremony, which takes six weeks, the participants are upgraded to 'great men', or those that may engage in politics. The dime ritual is directly connected to the upcoming marriage of the daughters and consists for the larger part of slaughtering large quantities of cattle (per participant: 10 cows, 30 sheep and/or goats). By the end of the ceremony the participants are extremely well-dressed, with ostrich feathers in their clay hair, oxtails around their arms, leopard skin over their shoulders, as well as the same skirt they wore during their circumcision many years earlier. In their hands they will carry wooden shields and a stick with a fallus symbol.
The nomadic roots of the Dasenech are most clearly seen today in their traditional villages, comprised as they are of small, flimsy, domed huts strongly reminiscent of the impermanent structures built by other African desert pastoralists, from the Tuareg of the Sahara to the Nama of the Kalahari. One such village lies on the west bank of the Omo, practically opposite Omorate, and can be reached by utilizing the flat-bottomed boat that serves as a ferry across the river (police escort mandatory) Another similar village lies about 20 minutes’ walk south of the town center on the east bank of the river.
The Bume are also known as the Nyangatom. the Bume live west of the Dasenech people, south- west of the Karo people, south of the Surma people and North of the Ethio- Kenyan boundary.
They occasionally migrate into the lower regions of the Omo national park when water or grazing is scarce.
Numbering around 6,000 in population, the Bume speak one of the Omotic group languages - Nyangatom. They are agro- pastoralists, relying on cattle herding and flood-retreat agriculture (consisting mainly of sorghum harvesting on the Omo and Kibish Rivers). In other words, they are semi-nomadic hunters and cattle-herders by custom, measuring their wealth in terms of the size of their herd, though flood agriculture now plays and increasingly important role in their subsistence. They tend to indulge in honey and frequently smoke out beehives to get the honey inside the nests.
The Bume are known to be great warriors and, quite frequently, active warmongers. Although they are peaceful and welcoming, they conflict with the neighboring tribes including the Hammer, the Karo and the Surma.
Kangate is the get way for accessing the habitation of the Bume from the east of Omo River. The crossing of the Omo river, although need to have time to do that) to the west enables one to see their small hat villages well.
The Mursi number about 5,000 and are primarily pastoralists categorized in the Nilo-Saharan language family. The Mursi are Known for their lip plate tradition; an unmarried woman's lower lip will be pierced and then progressively stretched over the period of a year. A clay disc indented like a pulley wheel is squeezed into the hole in the lip. As it stretches, ever-larger discs are forced in until the lip, now a loop, is so long it can sometimes be pulled right over the owner's head. The size of the lip plate determines the bride price, with a large one bringing in fifty head of cattle. The women make the lip plates from clay, color them with ochre and charcoal, and bake them in a fire. Stick fighting or "donga": At a fight, each contestant is armed with a hardwood pole about six feet long with a weight of just less than two pounds. In the attacking position, this pole is gripped at its base with both hands - the left above the right, in order to give maximum swing and leverage. Each player beats his opponent with his stick as many times as possible with the intention of knocking him down and eliminating him from the game. Players are usually unmarried men. The winner is carried away on a platform of poles to a group of girls waiting at the side of the arena, who decide among themselves which of them will ask for his hand in marriage. Taking part in a stick fight is considered to be more important than winning it. The men paint their bodies with a mixture of chalk and water before the fight.
A tribe living on the east banks of the Omo, the Karo number about 1000. Tourists enjoy watching the Karo preparing themselves for a celebration or traditional dance when they decorate their bodies with chalk paint, often imitating the spotted plumage of Guinea Fowl. The Karo excel in face and torso paintings. Elaborate facemasks are created using locally found white chalk, yellow mineral rock, pulverized iron ore and black charcoal. Karo women scarify their chests to beautify themselves and become more appealing to their men. The scarification of a man's chest is made when he has killed an enemy or a dangerous animal. The scars are cut with a knife or razor blade, and ash is then rubbed in to produce a raised welt. Like the Hamar, the wearing of a gray and ochre clay hair bun with ostrich feathers indicates a man's bravery.
Broadly speaking, the Benna belong to the Hamar-Bashada cultural group. Numbering about 35,000 they are primarily settled farmers living in the highlands to the east of the Mago National Park. They enter the Park to hunt during the dry season; if they manage to kill a buffalo they adorn them with clay and have a celebration.
Dorze is a tribe of skillful cotton weavers and potters who live in the mountains just outside Arba Minch. Their houses, standing up to 6 m tall and built in a shape of elephant's head, are the most unique traditional structures in Africa. Staple food of the Dorze tribe is enset or false banana. The Dorze dwellings are entirely organic: they are built using bamboo, grass, and false banana leaves. A visit to the Dorze house is a pleasant and memorable experience for the tourists.
Hamer is a tribe which occupies the large territory of South Omo. They speak a language which belongs to the Omotic group of languages and display an elaborate and unique style of body decorations and clothes. Women wear leather skirts decorated with cowri shells. Their braided hair is painted with ochre, and their arms are decorated with 15 or more copper bracelets. The most important event in the Hamer society is the Bull Jumping Ceremony, the rite which marks a passage of men from one age group to another. This ceremony can be attended by tourists visiting the Hamer territory. Two principal settlements of Hamer are Dimeka and Turmi, especially colorful and interesting to visit on the market days.
Karo is a small tribe of perhaps 1000 people or less. They live in the area of two small villages - Kolcho and Dus. Karo are best known for their elaborate body paintings, special for important ceremonies. Colorful face masks are prepared using chalk, charcoal, iron ore, and yellow rock. Hairstyle of both men and women is also very unusual. Foreign tourists are always welcome to attend Karo traditional ceremonies if they are lucky to visit their villages at such times.
Konso is a tribe which inhabits the area of basalt hills about 85 km to the south from Arba Minch. They speak a Cushitic language. Konso live in villages usually located on a top of a hill and surrounded by a 2 m stone wall. Konso are famous all over Ethiopia for their advanced methods of land cultivation, ehich include irrigation and building of terraces. Also very famous are the Konso's waqa - carved wooden monuments erected on the graves.
Yaha, which lies to the northeast of Axum, is the site of the famous Temple of the Moon, Ethiopia’s oldest standing structure. It is generally agreed the Temple of the Moon was built during the time of the D’mt Kingdom in the 8th and 7th centuries BC. The D’mt Kingdom preceded the Axumite Kingdom. When and how the transition from the D’mt Kingdom to the Axumite Kingdom occurred has not yet been determined. The oldest standing structure in Ethiopia is located in Yeha: the Great Temple. This is a tower built in the Sabaean style, and dated through comparison with dated structures in South Arabia to around 700 BC; although no radiocarbon dating testing has been performed on samples from Yeha, this date for the Great Tower is supported by local inscriptions. Yeha is also the location of an Ethiopian Orthodox monastery, founded according to tradition by Abba Aftse, one of the Nine Saints. Yeha has also been the site of a number of archaeological excavations, beginning in 1952 by the Ethiopian Institute of Archaeology.
Debre Damo monastery is situated on an isolated mountain in northern part of Tigray. Some three hours drive from Axum with the recently restored road and an additional one hour hard ascending walk from the point where the road ends. (Depending on your fitness) lies, the spectacular monastery of Debre Damo, it is unique compared with most Ethiopian monasteries. Debre Damo was built in the 6th century AD with curved wood plates, painting ceilings and walls dedicated to the ledged of Saint Abune Areggawi, the history of Debre Damo is core on the Nine Saints who came to Ethiopia from Syria and other Europe empires in the 6th century during the reign of Kaleb and Gebremeskel to widen Christianity in the country particularly the northern part of Ethiopia.
Axum is the ancient kingdom that flourished in northeastern Africa from the 1st century BC until the early 7th century AD. Axum is 360km north of Gonder and is the ancient city which was once the capital of Ethiopia. It is known for its historical and pre-historic relics. Legend has, that it was once the seat of the Queen of Sheba or Makeda (we call her) who reigned over the region in the 10th century B.C. The Axum obelisks were carved out from a single granite stone and are the world’s tallest monolithic art work. It is believed that they were erected some 2000 years ago. They are unique in their architectural beauty and mysterious past. Axum is also known as an archaeological site where one can find historic and pre-historic relics unearthed through continuous excavations. Mary of Zion climes to be the custodian of the original Ark of the Covenant brought by Menilik I .Axum’s most popular attractions includes as you gaze on the magnificent steals or obelisks, the tomb of king Kaleb and King Gebre Meskel, and the legendary palace and bath of queen Sheba.
Over 125 rocks hewn churches are recorded in Tigray region. The rock churches of Tigrai do not function primarily as tourist attraction they were generally excavated using a very different method from that at Lalibela, the antiquity of most of the Tigraian rock-hewn churches remains largely a matter of speculate. Every church has its own oral tradition regarding its excavation, in many cases the church is dated to the reign of Abreha-we-Astebeha the twin Emperors of Axum who converted to Christianity in the middle of the 4th century. Some of these rock hewn churches are pre-Christian temples, which was changed to church after the spread of Christianity in the northern Ethiopia. Most of these churches are difficult to access since they are carved on the top of the cliff, thus visitors who are interested to visit have to be physically fit, the rock churches can be visited form the Mekele or on the way to Axum, from this wokro Churckos and Abreha-we-Astebeha are the most reachable. Most of these churches are found on the Gera-Alta chained Mountains Also these magnificent churches can be visited on the eastern and southern Tigray area.
The extraordinary, isolated town of Lalibela, set high in the mountain of Lasta situated on the south direction of Axum, is famed for its rock- hewn churches, and is arguably the one place in Ethiopia that no tourist should miss. Known as Roha until recent time ,Lalibela was the capital of the Zagwe dynasty ,which ruled over Ethiopia from the 10th century to the mid of 13th century ,and its modern name obtain from that of the most famous of the Zagwe rulers ,the 12th century king Lalibela. The Lalibela churches are big several are in excess of 10 meter high and because they are carved below ground level, they are ringed by trenches and courtyards, there sides of which are cut in to with stone graves and hermit cells ,and connected to each other by a tangled maze of tunnels and passages.
No journey along Ethiopia’s great historic route would be complete without a visit to the medieval walled city of Harar, which stands among green mountains (at an elevation of 1885 meters) on the east wall of the Great Rift Valley 500 km from Addis Ababa and near to the Somali border, with its more than 90 mosques and shrines, is considered the fourth most sacred center of the Islamic world, registered by UNESCO as world heritage in 2008. Harar was founded between the 7th and the 11th century. In the sixteen century Harar, under sultan Abu Bakr ibn Muhammad, became the capital of an independent Muslim kingdom. Harar has for centuries been the main centre for Islamic learning and culture in Ethiopia, and a prosperous center for caravan trade linked by trade routes with the rest of Ethiopia, the Horn of Africa, the Arabian Peninsula and the outside world. The Hyena man is considered to be a tourist attraction of Harar. This long-standing tradition of feeding the carnivores at night began in 1960. Harar has an ethnically complex population made up of Adares, the indigenous highland Ethiopian People of this region who speak a Semitic language related to Amharic, Arabs, Oromo’s and Somalis from the plains.
Gonder, the cross roads of Ethiopian civilization, is located 50km north of lake Tana, 740 km north of Addis Ababa and situated in the foothills of the simian mountain at an altitude of 2,200meters above sea level. Gonder served as the capital of Ethiopia for more than 200 hundreds years from the rise of Fasiladas (1636-67) to the fall of Tewodros (1855-68) instruction in painting, music dance, poetry and many other disciplines thrived. Because of the focus on arts and architecture it has been labeled the Camelot of Africa. Gonder is famous for its massive ruins of imposing castles which depict the old days of our emperors and the skill and the craftsmanship used in the building of these several castles. The castle has been renovated recently by the fund of UNESCO; the castle compound is registered as world heritage.
