Culture of Ethiopia

Like many other African countries, Ethiopia has an extremely diverse population. The multi-ethnicity of the Ethiopia culture is so evidently observed in the number of languages spoken. It is an extraordinary country of exceptional ancient times, with a culture and traditions dating back over 3,000 years. Also in Ethiopia are some of the first ancient African tribes.
Languages
The country has four main language groups namely Cushitic, Omotic, Semitic and Nilo-Saharan with close to 200 different languages. Some of the several languages spoken by Ethiopians include Amharic, Oromigna, Berta, Guraginya, Tigrinya, Sidamo, Afarinya, Gumuz, Somalinya, Sidaminya, Anuak and Afan Oromo. Apart from these languages, Arabic and English are the major foreign languages used in public administration, education institutions and extensively in business transactions. The Italian minority in the country speak Italian as well.
Attire / Dress Code
Ethiopians are excusably proud of their diverse traditional costumes. They wear divergent types of clothing. The traditional dress of the Christian highland peasantry has traditionally been of white cotton cloth. The Harar Muslims however are renowned for the preference for colorful attires, the men in short trousers and a colored wrap whereas the women dress up in fine dresses of red, purple and black. Traditional dress, though often now supplanted by Western attire, may still be seen throughout much of the countryside. National dress is usually worn for festivals, when streets and meeting-places are transformed into a sea of white as finely woven cotton dresses, wraps decorated with coloured woven borders, and suits are donned.
On special days, Ethiopians dress up in lions’ manes or baboon-skin headdresses accompanied with hippo-hide spears and shields.
Festivals in Ethiopia

Ethiopia Cultural Street Festivals
Ethiopia festivals provide colourful ceremonies and celebrations to the country’s visitors. People dress in traditional costume and celebrate festivals across the country with colourful unique ceremonies. Best destinations to witness Ethiopia festivals are the capital Addis Ababa, Lalibela and Gonder. Performance accompanies are usually hired for religious festivals and traditional ceremonies.
The major enchanting festivals and events are mainly religious such as

• Timket on 19 and 20 January, commemorating Christ’s baptism in the River Jordan. It is a colourful event and has special significance in Ethiopia
• Ledet is celebrated on 29 December. It is celebrated after the 43 days of fasting season known as Tsome Gahad (Advent) with a impressive procession.

Music in Ethiopia
Singing and dancing dominate Ethiopia ceremonial days; and these make up an significant part of the Ethiopian cultural lifestyle.