1. A Very Brief History of Ethiopia, the Land of Tej

THE ANCIENT CULTURES of the Middle East may have made contact with the civilizations of what we now call Ethiopia as early as 1,000 years B.C. Legend tells us that Makeda, the queen of the land of Saba (or, as we know it today, Sheba), visited the revered King Solomon on a diplomatic mission, during which, the legend says, they toasted each other with Makeda's tej. She lavished him with gifts, the greatest one eventually being a son, named Menelik, whom she raised in Saba and sent home to meet his father when he reached manhood.

Then, in 1270 A.D., Yekuno Amlak, a wily monarch of Abyssinia - as the land was alternatively called in earlier times - drew upon the legend of Solomon and Makeda to declare         

himself to be the direct descendant of Menelik. This established the Solomonic Dynasty of Ethiopian emperors that ruled for 700 years and ended in 1974, with the fall of Emperor Hayle Selasse to Communist revolutionaries. The brutal Derg ("Committee") ruled until 1991, when a long-time rebellion finally succeeded, thus creating a nascent democracy in Ethiopia.

We must now take the ancient story of Solomon and the Queen of Sheba, devised in the time of Yekuno Amlak (who did exist), with a block of salt (which, incidentally, were called amole in Ethiopia and were used as currency well into the 19th Century). Despite Ethiopian lore disguised as history, there's no proof that the land of Saba was located in the portion of eastern Africa that's now Ethiopia. It may have been in Yemen, across the Red Sea, and the monarch whom the Ethiopians call Makeda was called Bilqis on the Arabian peninsula. There may even have been two Sabas, one on each side of the Red Sea, with neither one dominating the other. Scholars disagree, and the hard archaeological evidence is spotty at best.

The Bible has very little to say about Ethiopia that offers much help in clarifying its relationship with the ancient world. Two passages in the Old Testament - 1 Kings 10: 1-13, and 2 Chronicles 9:1-12 - tell a story of a Queen of Sheba who visited King Solomon on a diplomatic mission after hearing tales of his greatness. It doesn't say she was from Ethiopia, nor do she and Solomon consummate their summit.

Then, somewhere between 1314 and 1322 A.D. (scholars believe), an anonymous author composed the Kebra Negast ("Glory of Kings"), a book that became the Ethiopian national story. This lengthy saga clearly intends to turn Yekuno Amlak's newly declared "Solomonic Dynasty" into historical fact: It embellishes the brief biblical story of Solomon and Makeda and creates the child Menelik.

Yet this story remains the central mythology of the nation and is now recognized as the legend that helped to found and foster a culture and a civilization, which began definitively in the first century A.D. with the Aksumite Empire, in what is now northern Ethiopia and Eritrea, then slowly evolved into modern Ethiopia. For the next two millennia, empires and emperors waxed and waned, until a 19th Century surge of unification and conquest under the powerful Emperor Menelik II forged the modern nation

Ethiopian Recipes

Berberé

(Ethiopian red pepper spice paste)

Berberé, along with niter kibbeh, supplies one of the unique flavors of Ethiopian cuisine. There really is no substitute. Use as many of the spices as you have, but try to use fenugreek and the dried peppers or paprika. They supply an essential flavor.

Doro Wat

(Ethiopian chicken in red pepper paste)

Doro wat is perhaps the best known food from Ethiopia and is often referred to as that country's national dish. This recipe makes a very tasty version with a deep, rich flavor and tender chicken pieces. Making your own homemade berberé is not difficult and is essential to give the dish the proper flavor.

Aiyb

(Ethiopian fresh cheese)

Iab (sometimes spelled aiyb or ayib) is a fresh cheese similar to cottage cheese. It's cooling flavor is the perfect foil for many spicy Ethiopian dishes. Iab is often served as the finish to an Ethiopian meal.

Mesir Wat

(Ethiopian red lentil puree)

Mesir, or lentil, wat is one of several types of bean or lentil stews that are served with Ethiopian meals. They are especially popular during fasting days and the meatless period of Lent.

Niter Kibbeh

(Ethiopian spiced clarified butter)

Niter kibbeh — a spice-infused, clarified butter — is a ubiquitous cooking medium in Ethiopian cuisine. It adds an incomparable flavor to dishes. Plain butter or oil can be substituted in Ethiopian recipes if you don't have the time to make niter kibbeh, but something special will be missing.

Quick Injera

(Ethiopian sourdough crepe)

This recipe approximates the true injera, which is made from a fermented sourdough batter. Most recipes don't call for the lemon juice, but I find it necessary to supply the essential sour flavor that real injera adds to a meal.

Shiro Wat

(Ethiopian split green pea puree; see Mesir Wat recipe)

Sik Sik Wat

(Ethiopian beef stewed in red pepper paste; see Doro Wat varaitions)

Tej

(Ethiopian honey wine)

Tej, or tejj, is an Ethiopian sweet wine, similar to mead, that is made from fermented honey and a special kind of hops called gesho. It is traditionally served from a vase-like vessel called a berele. If you can't find tej or mead in your neighborhood, this recipe is a rough approximation.

Telba

(Ethiopian flaxseed beverage)

Telba is a healthy and refreshingly creamy beverage. Be careful how much you drink, though. Telba is a mild laxative.

Yataklete Kilkil

(Ethiopian gingered vegetable stew)

Yataklete kilkil, also known as yatakilt alicha, is a popular vegetarian, or ye'tsom, dish in Ethiopia, especially during Lent.

Yemarina Yewotet Dabo

(Ethiopian spiced honey bread)

This tender, lightly sweet loaf makes good use of Ethiopia's abundant honey. Leftovers make excellent French toast.

 

Source Internet www.whats4eats.com/africa/ethiopia-cuisine

Marriage

Christian marriages, mainly in Tigray and Amhara regions, are often arranged by the parents of the bride and groom with a great deal of negotiation. According to tradition and culture the bride must be virgin when the marriage takes place. Because the bride virginity is highly valued and pride in Christian marriage, with the whole family being shamed if the bride is not virgin at marriage. Rural women in particular tend to marry at a very young age than their husbands. In the past it used to be the custom for the bridegroom to be 30 years of age when getting married following the biblical example of Christ who waited until he was 30 years of age before beginning his public ministry.

Traditionally the groom's parents search for a bride for their son. Before they make any contact with the bride's parents they investigate to make sure that the famalies are not related by blood. In the past they researched back seven generations, but now five generations is acceptable. Once this has been done the boy's parents then make contact with the prespective bride's parents through a mediator. The mediator goes to the home of the potential bride and asks if their daughter will marry the son of the other parents. The bride's parents often impose conditions and the mediator will take the message to the groom's parents, then arrange a date for both parents to meet at a mutually convenient location.

When the parents have reached an agreement, the man and woman get engaged. The parents then set a wedding date and they meet all the wedding expenses. The bride and groom first see each other on their wedding day. Both parents prepare food and drink for the wedding and invite guests. The groom goes to the bride's house to take his future wife to be. The wedding ceremony starts with dances and music and the bride's parents give the groom a dowry, in most case money and cattle. At the end of the ceremony the groom takes his bride to his parents' house. The groom takes the bride's virginity during the first three days after the marriage. The honeymoon will last between one week to three months dependant on the groom's parents' economic circumstances. This takes place at the husband's parents' house and often the best man/men will also be present. After the honeymoon the couple return to the house of the bride's parents where they stay together for a set time, again with the best man/men present. During the honeymoon, the bride is not allowed to go out during the day; she is only allowed to go out after sunset.

In Muslim marriages, husbands may have up to four wives and having large numbers of children are traditionally considered to be a sign of status among Muslim communities. If the husband of a Muslim woman dies, it is the husband's brother responsibility to look after the wife and the children. The husband's brother may marry her.

Nowadays many men and women, often those, who live in urban areas as opposed to rural communities, do not follow this tradition and do not have arranged marriages but it is important to marry someone the family approves of.

Source Internet  http://www.angelfire.com/ny/ethiocrown.

Facts and Statistics

Location: Eastern Africa, west of Somalia
Capital: Addis Ababa
Climate: tropical monsoon with wide topographic-induced variation
Population: 82,544,840 (July 2008 est.)
Ethnic Make-up: Oromo 32.1%, Amara 30.1%, Tigraway 6.2%, Somalie 5.9%, Guragie 4.3%, Sidama 3.5%, Welaita 2.4%, other 15.4% (1994 census) br/> Religions: Christian 60.8% (Orthodox 50.6%, Protestant 10.2%), Muslim 32.8%, traditional 4.6%, other 1.8% (1994 census)
Government: federal republic

Language in Ethiopia

Ethiopia has many indigenous languages (84 according to the Ethnologue, 77 according to the 1994 census), most of them Afro-Asiatic (Semitic, Cushitic, Omotic), plus some that are Nilo-Saharan.

English is the most widely spoken foreign language and is the medium of instruction in secondary schools and universities. Amharic was the language of primary school instruction, but has been replaced in many areas by local languages such as Oromifa and Tigrinya.

After the fall of the Derg regime in 1991, the new constitution of the Federal Demeocratic Republic of Ethiopia granted all ethnic groups the right to develop their languages and to establish mother tongue primary education systems. This is a marked change to the language policies of previous governments in Ethiopia.

Society and Culture

The People

Ethiopia is a multi-cultural and multi-ethnic country. Religion is a major influence in Ethiopian life. Nearly half the population belongs to the Ethiopian Orthodox Church but there is a also large Muslim population. Others adhere to an ancient form of Judaism.

The Ethiopian Orthodox Church is proud of its origins. The country embraced Christianity in the 4th century, long before Europe. The feast of the Epiphany ("Timkat") is the largest festival of the year. The Orthodox Church dominates the political, cultural, and social life of the population. It was the official religion of the imperial court and of the establishment until Haile Selassie was deposed in 1974.

Muslims are important in the business community. They tend to live in the eastern, southern, and western lowlands, although there are considerable numbers in Addis Ababa.

The Family

The extended family remains the focus of the social system. It includes relatives on both sides of the family as well as close friends. Quite often the husband’s parents will live with the nuclear family when they get older and can no longer care for themselves. When people marry, they join their families, thus ensuring that there will always be a group to turn to in times of need.

Individuals achieve recognition or social standing through their extended family. A family's honor is influenced by the actions of its members. Family needs are put before all other obligations, including business.

Source Internet(Kwintessential) 

Ethiopia: The Wonders of the Horn of Africa

Source Internet

Ethiopia, formerly called Abyssinia, is one of the oldest countries in the world. Perched atop Africa’s highest plateau, the country is protected by forbidding deserts and tropical lowlands. Despite its apparent mountainous isolation, Ethiopia has long been a crossroads for Africa, the Middle East and the Indian Ocean, and a site of dynamic interaction between people from throughout the world. Ethiopia developed its own written language and has a sophisticated culture based upon a deep love of religion. In the highlands, Ethiopia's Orthodox Church predates the Vatican and is one of the oldest continuously Christian churches in the world. A fascinating and rich history includes legends claiming that the Aksumite Kingdom dates back to when the Queen of Sheba ruled the land, and that Ethiopia’s first king, Menelik I, was the son of this queen and King Solomon of Israel.

Some of Ethiopian spices

Berbere is the most popular spice for Ethiopian cooking (hot and spicy). It is a blend of red chili, garlic, salt and more; used to make Sega wot (beef stew), Doro wot (chicken stew), Kik wot (red lintel stew)

Mitmita is very hot bend of spices used to make Kitfo, or to give any dish a good kick.

Mitten Shiro is seaoned ground chickpeas used to make a popular Ethiopian dish called Shiro.

Korerima (cardamom powder), used to make Kitfo, and to flavor some of wot (stew) dishes.

Beso Bela is used to make Niter Kibe (Ethiopian seasoned butter) dried; which is used to make Kitfo, and to flavor almost any kind of dish.

Koseret is used to make Niter Kibe (Ethiopian seasoned butter), dried.

Mekelecha (Wot Kimem) is a special blend of 7 spices used to give the extra finishing flavor for most Ethiopian red wot (stew) dishes.

Alicha Kimem is a special blend of spices used to give the extra finishing flavor for most Ethiopian mild wot (stew) dishes.

Paste form of berbere used as Ethiopian hot sauce and used to make "Gored-Gored". Excelent flavor, good with any food including steak.

Paprika mixed with Berebre is used to give the extra redness to Ethiopian red stew dishes.

 Source Internet

Abiyatta Shalla Lakes National Parks situated in the Great Rift Valley, only 200 kilometers (124 miles) south of Addis Ababa, and in the Lake Langano recreational areas, the Abiyatta Shalla lakes national Park attracts numerous visitors. It was created primarily for its aquatic bird life, particularly those that feed and breed on lakes Abiyatta and Shalla in Large numbers. The park compresses the two lakes, the isthmus between them and a thin strip of land along the shorelines of each. Developments have been limited to a number of tracks on land, and the construction of seven outposts. While attention is focused on the water birds, the land area does contain a reasonable amount of other wildlife.

Two different lakes:
Two different lakes: The two lakes are very different in character. Abiyatta is shallow at about 14 metres (260 metres (853 feet) and is calculated to hold a grater volume of water than all of the Ethiopian Rift valley lakes put together. Abiyatta is surrounded by gentle, grasscovered slopes and swathed in acacia woodlands. Shalla exudes a sense of mystery and foreboding, surrounded as it is by steep, black cliffs and peaks that reflect in its deep waters, which are liable to be whipped up by sudden storms and flurries of wind. It contains nine small, is located islands, rarely visited since there are no boats on the lake. These islands provide an excellent breeding ground for many bird species.

Souces of Fresh Water
The network of tracks in this park is always developing. At present you can enter at four different points, three of which are inter connected. Approaching from Addis you first reach the Horakello entrance, where the small Horakello stream flows between lakes Langano and Abiyatta. The steam mouth is a source of relatively fresh water, much frequented by water birds for drinking and bathing.

Birdlife
Abijatta itself is very alkaline but shallow, so flamingoes can be seen scattered over most of its surface, and especially along the windward edge where their algal food source concentrates. You can approach quite closely, but beware of treacherous deep and mud if the lake is low. Large numbers of boat grater and lesser flamingoes gather here, together with great white pelicans and a host of other water birds.

A tack
A tack which runs for 20 kilometers (12 miles) along the treeline of the eastern shore of Lake Abiyatta connects Horakello with the park headquarters further south at Dole.

Wildlife
From here you can see other parts of Lake Abiyatta and some mammal species, especially Grant’s gazelle, warthog and occasionally the Oribi.

Hot springs:
The headquarters houses a small museum, currently being upgraded, which gives an excellent idea of the wealth of birdlife in the park. There are over 400 species recorded here, almost half the number recorded for the whole country, A further track leads on from Dole to the shores of Lake Shalla where hot steam, mud and water bubble to the earth’s surface. Revered locally for their medicinal properties, the hot springs have a sense of primaeval mystery about hem, especially in the cooler early mornings.They are relics of the massive volcanic activity that has formed this amazing country and landscape.

Access
A further entrance to this park exists in the south, where a rough track leads to another small hot spring area at Ghike. Here you can staying a wooden self help guest house, perched high on a cliff above the lake, with a vies across this lands. There are plans to install a boat at the lake which will ferry small groups of people to the islands to observe the breeding colonies of thousands of great while pelicans and grater flamingoes. The grate white pelican colony is estimated to be visited by up to 13000 pairs annually, and is the most important breeding site for the species in the world.

                                   A brief history of Saint Yared

Saint Yared was born on Miazia(April) 5, 525 AD in the city of Axum from his father Abyud (Isaac) and his mother Christina (Tawklia).

His parents were born and raised in Aksum. When Saint Yared was seven years old his father died. His mother gave the young Yared to his uncle Gedeon to raise and take care of him. Gedeon was the Gebez (Treaurer) in Aksum. School was hard for Young Yared. He never understood the Psalms of David. Because of his terrible weakness in school, he was confronted with his angry uncle at home and occasional physical punishment. Young Yared tried to learn and understand the teachings of the church for over seven years, but he always failed. He was tired of the anger and punishment and life was becoming difficult for him.

One day, young Yared ran away. He traveled for the entire day and he came to rest under a tree. He was crying and painfully hungry. In the middle of his anger and frustration, young Yared noticed a small insect trying to climb the tree. The insect tried once, it failed. Tried the second time, it failed again. The insect tried to climb the tree six times and it failed. By the seventh time it succeeded to climb the tree and ate the fruits. Young Yared learnt a great wisdom of God through the little insect.

He went back running to his uncle. He apologized for his behavior. He started school the next day. He finished 150 Psalms of David, the books Prophets, and King Solomon including the translations and the laws of the church. Young Yared became a server of Zion-Axum.

At that time, singing loudly was not allowed. One day, three birds came flying toward young Yared. The first bird was Green, the second bird was yellow, the third bird way red in color. [ Exactly the same as the Ethiopian flag]. The birds exemplified the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost. The birds also exemplify the melodies named as GeeZ - green bird,Izil - yellow bird and Ararai - red bird. As indicated in Genesis Chapter 22, No 28-31, one of the birds said to Young Yared " Yared the Great one, you are holy, the stomach that carries you is holy". Then the birds disappeared.
Young Yared was deeply contemplating about the heavenly Jerusalem. He heard the angles gathered around God and Begna (Ethiopian Harp).Young Yared learnt the heavenly musical praise. He went back to the city of Axum and entered the church of Zion and stood in front of the Ark of the Covenant ( Tabote Tsion). He started praising the lord by singing in GeeZ loudly

Hale luya le-Ab
Hale luya le-wold
Hale luya le- Menfes qidus
kedamiha le-Tsion Semaye sarere
webedagim arayo le-Muse
Ze-Keme yigebir gebra le-debtera

It is translated as:
Praise be to the Father Praise be to the Son Praise be to the Holy Ghost Prior to Zion God created the Heavens God showed Moses the tent

He called this song the rhythm of Aryam (Zema Aryam). Which means a rhythm that came from the angles or the heavens. This rhythm will never be lost until the end of this world. The Gift of God can never be destroyed by man. Civilizations pass but praising of God in heavenl manner would never cease.
Saint Yared thought us the rhythm of Aryam. While from this world, God chose Saint Yared to hear and learn the songs of the angles in the heavens. He heard something extraordinary, a song for the heart and the soul. He was amazed and mesmerized by that sound from the heavens. He expressed his admiration by singing
Wai Zema ze-sema-Eiku
be-semaiy I-melaIkt qidusan Inze Yiblu
Qidus Qidus Qidus IgeeziAbher
MeliA Semayate We-Medre
Qidisate Sibhatike

This translates as

The Holy of Holy our Lord I heard the angles singing "Your praises saying, Holy Holy o Holy-
a parise that filled the Earth and the Heavens
" What a song it is
What a rhythm it is
What depth it has

Saint Yared served and praised lord. He died on Gunboat (May) 11, 571 AD
God told us to praise him as do the angles following the example of saint Yared. The rhythm and the songs are always new. They never get old. The word Aryam translates as "above all". We can find the word Aryam in several places in the bible. The angles sang "praise be God BeAryam", when Jesus was born from Saint Mary. When Jesus came to Jerusalem on an Ass, the people sang "Hosanna BeAryam".

Source Internet

Saint Yared Musical Notation

Deret: represents the resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ
Difat: Jesus came to this world
Zu: Jesus thought us
Qurt: Jesus decided/promised to save Adam from death
Yezet: Jesus was caught and beaten by the Jews
Qinat: Judah has given up Jesus to the Jews
Chiret: Jesus Christ was beaten
Hidet: Jesus was take to Hanna and to Pilatos
Rikrik: JesusRis: The prophesy told by David was realized on Friday.

As you can see, there are lots of secrets that we need to know about ourselves and the design of our society. Like Saint Yared the young generation must inquire, learn by example and specifically learn how to use the traditional knowledge. If we dismiss such profound traditional knowledge, we will become people who cut their heads.

Wesbihat le-amlake abewine

Original Amharic Material
Translated from Meleket (EOTC church Bulletin) No 4 Hamle 1986 EC
By Dr. Abebe Kebede

Source Internet

Awassa a capital city of Southern Region of Ethiopia

The cozy and surprisingly fast developing city Awassa lies 275 Km South of Addis Ababa the capital city of Ethiopia along the asphalt road to Moyale the town at the boarder of Kenya. The altitude of Awassa is 1665 m above sea level, it has a pleasant climate and also is in a beautiful location  on Awassa Lake. Previously, it was the c apital of the Sidama province and now it is the capital city of the South Nation and Nationalities Peoples Region. (SNNPR) It has a population of 150,000, from 50 different ethnic groups such as Sidama, Wolayta. Hadya. Kambata, Gurge, Amhara, Tigray, Oromo etc. All have their own way of greeting: "Kero". "Saro", "Tumma", "Yimtebel" Tenaystillign," "Kemyalekhum", "Akam" . In this city there are high standard loadges built-up on the traditional style of the different ethenic groups in the southern region and also there are 3 to 5 star hotels avaliable.

AWASSA AT PRESENT DAY

Awassa has grown explosively in recent years. On the southwest side  of the city large new residential homes have been built, in downtown many old  and small shops  are demolished and 3-6 storey modern apartment buildings with shopping and offices are erected. Also, in recent years many new hotels are built like Tadesse Injorie, Lewis and Pinna Hotels. At the shores of Lake Awassa you can enjoy a stay in 5 star Hotels such as the Haile Gebreselassie hotel, built by the famous long distance runner and Lewi Resortt.

The city of Awassa is attractive for customers because it combines the conviviality of a medium sized city and the peace and space on the lake and good hotels where you can relax a few days. There are also in and near Awassa various excursion and recreational opportunities.

The large field of Hawassa University just nearby Awassa is a town in itself with residential flats for students and staff, laboratories, canteen, buildings with classrooms, etc. Also in this university there is a moderiate Hotel built and is used as a training site for the faculty "hotel management".  More than 10,000 students of this university and other residents of Awassa  around 17.00 pm In the afternoon the city in at large is pleasant promenade. The main streets are filled with strolling people talking, street vendors and shoeshine boys are doing and people doing good business, the small white and blue taxis (popularly called "badjadj" or "tjoektjoek" referred to) go back and forth, between them by walking donkeys, sheep and goats around. There are several shopping centers with small shops in the 3 to 6 storey apartment buildings in recent years. It is a pleasant, lively and colorful city . On the south side of the long main street in the heart of Awassa with decorative palm trees in the middle, the great Gabriel whitewashed Orthodox church with gold-painted domes and on the south side of the road is sloping descending to Awassa
Lake.

THE AWASSA LAKE

The Awassa lake is the smallest lake of the Rift Valley lakes, with an area of 9000 hectares. It is an idyllic lake that is surrounded by rolling hills everywhere. The Awassa lake has formed in an ancient volcanic crater, and no mouths of rivers. Yet the water is healthy and full of fish but also home of a group of hippos usually located in the southeast side of the lake stop (near the village TikurWoha). Like other Rift Valley lakes offer in and around the Awassa Lake lots of bird watching. Due to a flood which took place some years a go submerged and ruin houses and hotels can be seen, at that time a dike was constructed to protect further damage. This has created a few kilometers footpath along the lake side where you can  easily observe birds. In the area that was flooded, swamps have formed again attract waterfowl. The dike along the Awassa lake is used as a promenade for the local population and the lake is often used by those who have no water at home,  they wash their cloths and themselves.

At the end of the asphalt road that runs through the center, located at the dike of Lake of Awassa there is boat  association of young people. Here you can rent a rowboat or motorboat for a trip to the hippo-corner ". With a rowing boat the trip takes at least 3 hours. Between the planted tree  by the young people of the association there are small huts with benches in it and there are drink and snack stalls. It is a popular gathering place for local youth, it is always busy and lively.

There are several places in Awassa where you can rent a bike for a bike ride around Awassa lake (about 45 km.) Unpaved roads. There are enough young guys  who are potential local guide to accompany you on your  journey.

The fish market in Awassa

Every morning the fishermen arrive with their wooden rowing boats loaded with tilapia and other fishes.

"Fish market" (Asa Gebeya) is an inlet to Awassa Lake, about 1 km from Wabe Shebelle II and new hotel Lewi. A taxi or gari (horse taxi) can take you there.

The long row of boats full of fresh fishes, the nets losing and fish filleting boys, vendors of plastic tents and bread, fish soup cooking women, marabou, pelicans and other birds who feeds themselves from the remains  of fishes. The wandering goats and sheep in the open fish market is generally a phenominal.

Paying 20 birr interance fee you can  visit fish market and have an access to walk in the adjacent Amorra Gedel park. This is also a youth project and a place where many weddings are held, where many Gureza and grivet monkeys and all kinds of birds to observe. During the weekdays, tthis place is oase of rest. However you come on Saturday or Sunday then the park is littered with often chat chewing people with loudly sounding transistor radios.

REGIONAL MARKET

On Monday and Thursday in Awassa is a colorful (but dusty and muddy in the rainy season) market where you can buy almost anything. For guests especially the stalls with Ethiopian pottery, baskets and bags, and traditional Ethiopian dress, is  worth of visit. There is much vegetables, fruits, spices, beans, grains, butter selfmade gifts, new and used clothing, shoes, pots and pans, meter cane stalks, charcoal, firewood and cattle sold

TABOR MOUNTAIN In MIDDLE OF AWASSA

This flattened hilltop in the middle of Awassa, you can climb to the top of the summit of a beautiful view over the lake and enjoy the city. There is a path around the top where you can come easily once (not too steep climb) through the Hawassa University Medical College and hospital which is found on the other side of  the lake.

GABRIEL THE ORTHODOX CHURCH AND THE PARTIES

These modern orthodox church with its golden dome dominates the center of Awassa. 20 years  have taken to build up this church, the interior contains beautiful colorful murals. Every year on the feast of St.Gabriel (December 28) is full of people dressed in white garments who came to celebrate the festival from near and farawy places to Awassa. The Timkat (18 or 19 January) and Meskel (26 or 27 sept.) Party are an impressive and unique with their Ethiopian processions of young deacons sometimes solemn and sometimes exuberant singing and dancing under the guidance of Kebero (large church drum ) and sistra (small instrument with bells), the Tabot (copy of the stone tablets of Moses) by priests in colorful garments, followed by many thousands of belivers  on both sides of the street Tracking. But many other Christian denominations are represented in Awassa and you will find Protestant, Catholic, evangelical and Pentecostal churches, while there are many Muslims who gather in the various mosques.

Source Internet