ETHIOPIA FROM INSIDE: DISCOVER. LEARN. PARTICIPATE

Transcription

1 ETHIOPIA FROM INSIDE: DISCOVER. LEARN. PARTICIPATE INFORMATION BOOKLET for the Participants of the Pilot Trip November 2011

2 I. BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON ETHIOPIA E thiopia is located in the Horn of Africa. Its proximity to the Middle East and Europe, together with its easy access to the major ports of the region, favoured international trade. Area approximately 1.14 million square kilometres (or France, Germany and Italy together). Borders with Sudan and South-Sudan to the west, Somalia, Somaliland and Djibouti to the east, Eritrea to the north and Kenya to the South. Although Ethiopia lies within 15 degrees north of the equator, the central highlands generally enjoy a temperate and pleasant climate, with average temperatures rarely exceeding 20 C. The sparsely populated low lands typically have sub-tropical and tropical climates. At approximately 850mm, the average annual rainfall for the whole country is considered to be moderate by global standards. In most of the highlands, rainfall occurs in two distinct seasons: the "small" rains during February and March and the "high rains from May/June to September. The People W ith a population of about 90 million, Ethiopia represents a melting pot of ancient Middle Eastern and African cultures evident in the religious, ethnic and language composition of its Semitic, Cushitic, Omotic and Nilotic peoples. The Ethiopian people comprise about 78 nationalities of which the Amhara and the Oromo constitute the majority, with about 60 percent of the total population. Approximately 85% of the population live in rural areas. The annual population growth rate is 3.2 percent (on average 6 children per woman, tendency downwards), children below 14 years account for about 45% of the total population.

3 Historic provinces of Ethiopia History T he history of Ethiopia, known to many as Abyssinia, is rich, ancient, and still in part unknown. The first recorded account of the region dates back to almost 5,000 years ago during the time of the Egyptian pharaohs, when the ancient Egyptians sent expeditions Anthropologists believe that East down the Red Sea in quest of gold, Africa's Great Rift Valley is the ivory, incense, and slaves. It is in the site of the origin of humankind. Afar region of Ethiopia where scientists discovered the remains of "Lucy" or Dinkenesh, meaning "thou art wonderful," as she is known to E t h i o p i a f r o m I n s i d e : D i s c o v e r. L e a r n. P a r t i c i p a t e

4 the Ethiopians. "Lucy" lived more than three million years ago, and her bones now rest in the Ethiopian National Museum. The country's rich history is woven with legends of King Solomon and Queen of Sheba; the Ark of the Covenant that is said to rest in Axum; the great Axumite kingdom and the birth of Christianity; the rise of Islam; and the story of King Lalibela, who is believed to have constructed eleven rock-hewn churches, still standing today and considered the eighth wonder of the world. Ethiopia is the only African country, which was not colonized by European colonial forces. It was briefly occupied by the Italians between 1936 and In recent history, between 1889 and 1913 Emperor Menelik II reigned, fending off the encroachments of European powers. Italy posed the greatest threat, having begun to colonize part of what would become its future colony of Eritrea in the mid 1880s. In 1896, Ethiopia defeated Italy at The Battle of Adwa, which was considered the first victory of any African nation over a European colonial power. Menelik's successor, Haile Selassie I (reigned ) was left with the task of dealing Italy's resurgent expansionism. In the early years of World War II, Ethiopia was liberated from the Italians by the joint forces of the Resistance Movement and British army. After being restored to power, Emperor Haile Selassie attempted to implement reforms and modernize the state. However, increasing internal pressures, including conflict with Eritrea and severe famine placed strains on Ethiopian society that contributed in a large part to the 1974 military rebellion that ended the Haile Selassie regime. He was replaced by a self-proclaimed Marxist junta led by Mengistu Haile Mariam under which many thousands of opponents were purged or killed, property was confiscated and defence spending spiralled. Drought, famine, war and ill-conceived policies brought millions to the brink of starvation in the 1970s and 1980s. The overthrow of the junta in 1991 saw political and economic conditions stabilise, but not enough to restore investors' confidence. Eritrea gained independence in 1993 following a referendum. Disputes about border demarcation developed into military conflicts and fullscale war in the late 1990s in which tens of thousands of people were

5 killed. A fragile truce has held, but the UN says ongoing disputes over the demarcation of the border threaten peace. Many Ethiopians depend on food aid from abroad. In 2004 the government began a drive to move more than two million people away from the arid highlands of the east in an attempt to provide a lasting solution to food shortages. At the end of 2006 Ethiopia sent between 5,000 and 10,000 troops into Somalia to support forces of the weak transitional government there and helped to oust the Islamists who had controlled southern Somalia for six months. But, despite initial successes, the Ethiopians were Agriculture accounts for almost 41% of the gross domestic product (GDP), 80% of exports, and 80% of the labour force. unable to break the power of the Islamists, who gradually began to win back lost territory. Ethiopia's presence in Somalia ended in early 2009, when it pulled its troops under an agreement between the transitional Somali government and moderate Islamists. Politics and Government I n 1994, a new constitution was written, setting up a bicameral legislative branch and a judicial system, and guaranteeing equal right and freedom of expression to all citizens of Ethiopia. In May 1995 people's representatives to the Parliament were elected. The ruling coalition of the Ethiopian People s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), the former opponents of the communist DERG regime, is ruling the country without interruption since The results of the elections 2005 were questioned by some of the opposition parties and there were unrests in major cities where almost 200 people were killed. During the last elections in 2010, the ruling party won all except 2 of the 547 seats of the house of people s representatives. The election system (majority rule) and the disaccord of the opposition were the main reasons for this landslide victory. Foreign observers considered the election as peaceful and free, yet the opposition states that people were threatened and that freedom of press is questionable. E t h i o p i a f r o m I n s i d e : D i s c o v e r. L e a r n. P a r t i c i p a t e

6 Economy E thiopia is one of Africa's poorest states. The economy revolves around agriculture: The country is one of the leading coffee and flowers producers. Agriculture accounts for almost 41% of the gross domestic product (GDP), 80% of exports, and 80% of the labour force. Many other economic activities depend on agriculture, including marketing, processing, and export of agricultural products. Production is overwhelmingly by small-scale farmers and enterprises and a large part of commodity exports are provided by the small agricultural cash-crop sector. Principal crops include coffee, pulses (e.g., beans), oilseeds, cereals, potatoes, sugarcane, and vegetables. Ethiopia is often referred to as the "water tower" of Eastern Africa because of the many (14 major) rivers that pour off the high tableland. It also has the greatest water reserves in Africa, but few irrigation systems in place to use it. Just 1% is used for power production and 1.5% for irrigation. New dam projects lead to political tensions with Sudan and Egypt. Religion E thiopia has close historical ties to all three of the world's major Abrahamic religions. It was one of the first Christian countries in the world, having officially adopted Christianity as the state religion in the 4th century. The Ethiopian Orthodox church is still very visible all over the country. Around one third of the population is Muslim (yet the exact number is often contested). Ethiopia is the site of the first hijra in Islamic history and the oldest Muslim settlement in Africa at Negash. The country is also the spiritual homeland of the Rastafari religious movement, which is influenced by Pan-Africanism and has globalized Ethiopian flag tricolors with the spread of Reggae music alongside Hip hop culture.

7 Language E thiopia is a multicultural country with about 84 different ethnic groups and languages. Amharic is one of the official languages of Ethiopia, as it was the language of primary school instruction, but has been replaced in many areas by local languages such as Oromifa and Tigrinya. English is the most widely spoken foreign language and is the medium of instruction in secondary schools and universities. Addis Ababa the Capital A ddis Ababa, the largest city, is the seat of the Federal Government of Ethiopia, and lies on the central plateau at an altitude of 2,300 meters, 9 degree north of the equator. Its average temperature is 16 C. Addis Ababa was founded in 1887, and has a population of above 3 million. It is host to the African Union, and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa. Several other international organizations have their headquarters and branch offices in the capital, which is also the centre of commerce and industry. Manufacturing plants for steel fabrication, wood, tanneries, textiles, cement, leather goods and breweries are among the activities located in and around Addis Ababa. Ethiopia's other important cities of trade and industries are: Awassa, Dire Dawa, Gondar, Dessie, Nazareth, Jimma, Harar, Bahir Dar, Mekele, Debere Markos and Nekemte. All these towns are connected to Addis Ababa by asphalt and gravel roads, and most of them have good infrastructural facilities, such as first class hotels and airports. Local Time and Calendar E t h i o p i a f r o m I n s i d e : D i s c o v e r. L e a r n. P a r t i c i p a t e

8 E thiopia is three hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time. As there is no daylight saving time in Ethiopia, the difference varies according to the season. The local usage of time can be confusing to visitors. The first cycle starts with "one" at 7 A.M. and goes on to "twelve" at 6 P.M. The second cycle starts at 7 P.M. "one" and goes on to 6 A.M. "twelve". Ethiopia follows the Julian calendar, which consists of twelve months of thirty days each and a thirteenth month of five days (six days in a leap year). The calendar is about eight years behind the Western (Gregorian) calendar. The New Year is celebrated in September. Major Tourist Attractions E thiopia has a magnificent cultural heritage, seven of which are included in the world cultural heritage list: 1. The Simien National Park 2. The Rock-hewn churches of Lalibela 3. Castles of Gondar and other monuments of Gonder Style 4. Lower Valley of the Awash paleontological and prehistoric sites 5. Tiya pre-historical and archaeological sites, central Tigray 6. Axum historical and archaeological sites, central Tigray 7. Valley of the Omo, palaentological and prehistoric sites The natural beauty of Ethiopia amazes the first-time visitor. Ethiopia is a land of rugged mountains (some are over 4000 meters high), broad savannah, lakes and rivers. The unique Rift Valley is a remarkable region of volcanic lakes, with their famous collections of birdlife, great escarpments and stunning vistas. Tisisat, the Blue Nile falls, must rank as one of the greatest natural spectacles in Africa today. With 14 major wildlife reserves, Ethiopia provides a microcosm of the entire subsaharan eco-system. Birdlife abounds and indigenous

9 species roam free. Ethiopia, after the rains, is a land decked with flowers and with many more native plants than most countries in Africa. II. TO CONSIDER BEFORE TRAVELING: Visa A valid tourist visa is compulsory to enter Ethiopia. Single entry tourist visas are valid for 1 month. Austrian and Switzerland passport holders /nationals/ can get their visa upon arrival at Bole Airport in Addis Ababa. To be on the save side, bring two passport photos, even though it is not clear if this is still necessary. You can also purchase your visas at the Ethiopian embassies for Switzerland and Austria: For visitors travelling from countries where there is no Ethiopian embassy, arrangements can be made to collect a visa at the airport on arrival. More information about the Ethiopian Embassies: When apply about visa, please point the following address: POLARIS GUEST HOUSE HAYA HULET, ADDIS ABABA ETHIOPIA Health Precautions It is recommended to visit your personal doctor/physician or a travel health clinic 4-8 weeks before departure. Vaccinations: E t h i o p i a f r o m I n s i d e : D i s c o v e r. L e a r n. P a r t i c i p a t e

10 Hepatitis A Typhoid Yellow fever Meningococcus Polio Hepatitis B Rabies Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) Tetanus-diphtheria Recommended for all travellers Recommended for all travellers Recommended for all travellers Only in special cases One-time booster recommended for any adult traveller who completed the childhood series but never had polio vaccine as an adult Only in special cases For travellers spending a lot of time outdoors, or at high risk for animal bites, or involved in any activities that might bring them into direct contact with bats Two doses recommended for all travellers born after 1956, if not previously given Revaccination recommended every 10 years Malaria Prophylaxis: Lariam (mefloquine), Malarone (atovaquone/proguanil), or doxycycline is recommended for all areas, except Addis Ababa and altitudes above 2000m. You can learn more on: information about vaccinations and health care (in English) - medical preparation for trips to tropical countries (in German and French only) NB!: Officially you should bring your immunization passport with you and present it, if needed. However, there are no regular controls. Your vaccination is your personal responsibility and you should check before departure with your personal doctor! The information provided here is just an orientation for the measures you might need to take. Insect and tick protection in Malaria regions

11 A Mosquito-Net, insect repellent cream or spray are also extremely useful for mosquito bites when travelling in Malaria areas. In good hotels, nets are usually available but sometimes damaged.. It is recommended to wear long sleeves, long pants, hats and shoes (rather than sandals). For rural and forested areas, boots are preferable, with pants tucked in, to prevent tick bites. Use insect repellent on exposed skin and also to clothing. Avoid sleeping with the window open unless there is a mosquito net. If sleeping outdoors or in an accommodation that allows entry of mosquitoes, use a bed net, preferably impregnated with insecticide, with edges tucked in under the mattress. In rural or forested areas, perform a thorough tick check at the end of each day with the assistance of a friend or a full-length mirror. Ticks should be removed with tweezers, grasping the tick by the head. Additionally Sun protection cream might be essential (the average temperature during the day is about 25C, some areas can be considerably hotter), as well as sunglasses and a hat. Tap water is not drinkable, unless it has been boiled, filtered, or chemically disinfected. Avoid drinking un-bottled beverages or drinks with ice. Avoid eating fruits or vegetables unless they have been washed, peeled or cooked. Avoid unpasteurized milk and any products that might have been made from unpasteurized milk, such as ice cream. Avoid food and beverages obtained from street vendors. Do not eat raw or undercooked meat or fish. N.B.: These are recommendations; however, approaches are different and depend on personal attitudes towards (rather low) risks. Swimming, wading, or rafting in lakes, ponds, streams, or rivers (aside of Lake Logano) is not recommended. Chlorinated swimming pools are considered safe. General advices, given to all the tourists: Bring adequate supplies of personal medication in their original containers (if you need such). Carry a signed, dated letter from the primary physician describing all medical conditions and listing all medications, including E t h i o p i a f r o m I n s i d e : D i s c o v e r. L e a r n. P a r t i c i p a t e

12 generic names. If carrying syringes or needles, be sure to carry a physician's letter documenting their medical necessity. Make sure your health insurance covers you for medical expenses abroad. Bring your insurance card, claim forms, and any other relevant insurance documents. Do not forget that most of the general medicaments can be find also in the Drug stores in Ethiopia. Climate and Clothing E thiopia has two seasons; the dry season prevailing from October till May, and the wet season from June to September. Light, summer clothes are suitable for daytime wear and a jacket or sweater is useful for the evening when the temperature is much cooler. Visitors to Ethiopia in the rainy season are reminded to pack suitable clothing if they intend to trek in the Simien or Bale mountains. Footwear for walking expeditions and visiting historic sites should be light but strong, thus sandals are not recommended. Food and Restaurants T he Ethiopian national dish consists of injera, a flat, circular pancake made of fermented dough. Various side dishes of meat, pulses and vegetables along with sauces, which are generally spiced, are also served with injera. The injera is either topped with these side servings or it can be torn off and used to pick up the sauces and fillings. Here are some basic rules, however, Ethiopians are used to tourists and mistakes will not cause big problems: In Ethiopia it is a tradition to eat with the right hand and water for washing one s hands is usually brought to the table before the dish is served. Take from your side of the plate only, reaching is considered as impolite. You can leave some leftovers. Do not be embarrassed or

13 alarmed by the tradition of Gursha, if someone usually the host picks the tastiest morsel and feed you directly to your mouth. Do not touch your mouth or lick your fingers! Bring a small gift, if you are invited at someone s home for a meal. Pastries and flowers are good choices, in rural areas sugar, coffee and fruit are perfect. Restaurant prices vary from area to area. The cheapest ones start at around 10 birr per head. Vegetarian food might be a bit problematic, but not impossible to find, especially if there is a fasting period. Tipping T ip only if you have been helped and if you are satisfied. Most hotels and restaurants have the service charge included, however depending on the size of the bill visitors might want to leave a small tip of one or two birr (especially in the higher level hotels/restaurants). Photos Y ou should ask for permission before taking people s photographs! Generally, there are no problems about taking pictures with the exception of some areas, (particularly in Afar and in the Omo valley), where people may ask for money. Photography in churches is allowed. Video photography in famous tourist attractions carries a charge. In some areas such as airports, around military camps, Palace and ministry buildings photography is prohibited. Money T he national currency is called Birr. The exchange rates (August 2011) are as follows: 1 = 25 Birr Taxis 1 CHF = 21 Birr 100 Birr = 4 = 4,7 CHF There are no set taxi prices. All fares are subject to negotiation; therefore it is a good idea to agree on a price before starting a journey. E t h i o p i a f r o m I n s i d e : D i s c o v e r. L e a r n. P a r t i c i p a t e

14 Safety and security W e recommend you to check the travel recommendations of the foreign office of your country (Switzerland: home/travad/hidden/hidde2/ethio p.html). The situation in the Central and South part of Ethiopia is generally calm and not dangerous, but it is advisable for independent travellers to keep themselves abreast of local and international news. You should avoid driving after dark in rural areas: vehicles often have no lights and livestock may be roaming the roads. This also presents a risk to pedestrians, who should remain vigilant at all times. Even though Ethiopia can be considered a very safe place for travellers you should review your personal safety and security posture, remain vigilant, and be cautious when frequenting prominent public places and landmarks. Pick-pocketing, snatch and run thefts, including from occupied vehicles and other petty crimes are common in Addis Ababa, especially around the large open-air market Mercato. Limit the amount of cash you carry and leave valuables, such as passports, jewellery, and airline tickets in a hotel safe or another secure place. Keep wallets and other valuables where they will be less susceptible to pick-pockets. If you have a cellular phone, carry it with you. Informational sources about Ethiopia, used also for this brochure: Newer facts & figures: CIA World Factbook - facts about Ethiopia:

15 All Africa: English newspaper articles from/about various African countries including Ethiopia: Wikipedia site about Ethiopia: BBC country profile of Ethiopia: m Human Rights Watch: Current state of Ethiopia: Background, History, Languages, Religions etc.: Ethiopian Embassy to the Benelux and the EU, with own adaptations ( Tourism: Ethiopian Embassy to the Benelux and the EU ( Health information: MdTravelHealth ( hp) Visa: Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs: ( ce.php?page=visa_issuance_5.htm) Useful Books and Guides: The Lonely Planet Guide to Ethiopia, Eritrea and Djibouti Reise Know-How Äthiopien Ethiopian Amharic Phrasebook Lonely Planet Spectrum Guide to Ethiopia (English and German editions) E t h i o p i a f r o m I n s i d e : D i s c o v e r. L e a r n. P a r t i c i p a t e

16 III. PROGRAMME OF THE TRIP: Schedule Descriptions Place (Sun 6 Nov) Arrival day Arrival in Addis Ababa and transfer to the guest house Time for a rest and exploring the city with local guides Sleep in the guest house Addis Ababa AM Introduction Day 9:15 h: Briefing, group building; general information and practicalities; evaluation process 12:45 h: common lunch Mon 7 Nov PM 2:15 h: Panoramic Tour of Addis Ababa & introduction to history, culture and people, AM Mount Entoto: Visit of the King Minilk Palace 7:00 h: Dinner in small groups Sleep in the guest house Workshop Day 8:00 h: Departure at the guest house 9:00 12:00 h: First round workshops weaving, broom making Tue 8 Nov PM 12:00 1:00 h: Lunch (pick nick) Wed 9 Nov 1:00 4:00 h: Second round workshops bamboo and leather 5:30h: Briefing at the guest house for the next day, evaluation round 6:30h: Individual dinner in small groups with local guides AM Trip to the Gurage Region 9:00 h: briefing about the trip to a village 5 Minutes from Agena (2 300m a.s.l.) and departure Different stops on the way, Travel time approx. 5 hours. Lunch on the road PM 4:00 h: Estimated arrival time Stay over night in traditional Tukul (type dormitory ) AM Thr 10 Nov PM Common lunch Fr 11 Nov Sat 12 Nov Gurage: Farming and House Work 8:00 h: Breakfast (maybe earlier activities on the farm) Group A: Farming work outside, Oxen farming, milking Group B: House Work: cooking, coffee ceremony Group A and B: Make butter with traditional methods, produce traditional alcoholic drinks Dinner: Campfire in traditional Ethiopian style Stay over night in traditional Tukul (type dormitory ) AM Gurage: False Banana 8:30 h: Breakfast 10:00 h: Group activities (A and B with change): Make Kocho bread from false Banana, prepare Kitfo Handicrafts if time and interest PM 1:00 h: Lunch Interaction with the local people Common dinner (European night?) Stay over night in traditional Tukul (type dormitory ) AM Trekking and back to Addis Ababa 6:00 h: Sunrise trekking 10:30 h: Brunch PM 12:00 h: Drive back to Addis 7:00 h: Estimated arrival at the guest house Addis Ababa Addis Ababa Gurage region Gurage region Gurage region Gurage region Addis Ababa

17 AM Individual dinner Sleep in the guest house Sun 13 Nov PM Individual lunch Mon 14 Nov Tue 15 Nov Wed 16 Nov (Thr 17 Nov) IV. No All gone Yes Rest and Family Day Individual breakfast Free time or individual explorations with or without an Ethiopian guide in the city 15:00 h: Meeting at the guest house. Transfer to individual families Socializing and dinner with families Sleep overnight in the families house AM Challenge day 8:00 h: Pick up at the families 9:00 h: Start of the challenge day: You will explore Addis Ababa on your own, in groups of 2. You will receive your instructions, try to answer questions, find people and interact with them PM Individual lunch in the teams 4:00 h: End of the challenge day: have a beer together, give feedback 7:00 h: Sleep overnight in the families house AM Visiting Debre Zeit Individual breakfast in families 9:00 h: Meeting at the guest house, leave the luggage 10:00 h: Transfer with public transport (minibuses) to Debre Zeit (approx. 1h south of Addis Ababa) Visit of the crater lakes and tour by horse-cart with local people or by boat on the lake PM Common lunch 5:00 h: transfer back to Addis Ababa by public transport Sleep in the guest house AM Evaluation Day 9:00 h: Breakfast in the guest house 10:00 h: Evaluation meeting, organizing departures PM 12:30h: Common lunch at the guest house 2:00 h: Individual shopping and further discoveries in Addis Ababa, if necessary with guides 6:30 h: Transfer to a traditional restaurant, fare-well dinner Sleep in the guest house Departure Day Breakfast in the guest house Transfer to airport or to other tour operator (for those who prolong their stay) For those who stay in Addis: optional activities with guide SOME AMHARIC PHRASES aidelem OR aye yellem (one way to say no) ao Addis Ababa Addis Ababa Debre Zeit Addis Ababa E t h i o p i a f r o m I n s i d e : D i s c o v e r. L e a r n. P a r t i c i p a t e

18 Done, enough bakka (often used for stop that ) Dont' be afraid (girl) ayzosh (used for comfort) (f), ayzoh (m) Hey you (female) antchi Hey you (male) ante How much is it? sinte nau? Hurry tolo tolo I don't want it alfallegem no problem chigger yellem Okay? eshi A. Understanding Do you understand? gehbash? I understand gehbañ I don't understand algebanyem I don't know ala wahkem Wait koy B. Courtesy Excuse me yikihrta Goodbye (casual) ciao Greeting tena yist elinje Hello salem How are you? (girl) Dehna nesh Thank you amma-segenalluh C. Food I am hungry rabenj Banana mus Bread dabo Chicken doro Coffee bunna Eggs enkulal Fish asa Juice chemaki Meat, red (beef) siga Milk wetat Oranges burtukan Rice rus Tea (black, strong, sweet) shai

19 Water Breakfast Lunch Wuda kurs misa D. Bathroom, body, health Bathroom shinte bet Doctor hakim Soap samuna Toilet paper soft E. Useful nouns Backpack/purse Bed Car Pen Rain House Telephone Friend Brother Sister Dad Mama Clothes Shoes F. Useful Adjectives Beautiful,smart Dirty Good / nice Great More, a lot Small, a little borsa/ shanta alga makina escribito zinab bet silk gwadegna wendim ehed abat enat lebs chamma konjo /gobez ko-sha-sha tiru bet am tiru bizu tinish G. Numbers 1 - and 2 - hulet 3 sost 4 - arat 5 - amist 6 - sidist 7 - sabat 8 - simint 9 - zettenje 10 - asser E t h i o p i a f r o m I n s i d e : D i s c o v e r. L e a r n. P a r t i c i p a t e

20 Places we will visit: Addis Ababa Debre Zeit Wasamar Village Gurage Region Contacts (in case of emergency): Abiye: Wondi: Address of the Guest House: POLARIS GUEST HOUSE HAYA HULET, in front of Yohannes Kitfo Bet ADDIS ABABA Cell Phone: Telephone: