Judaism in Ethiopia

It is known that Judaism were practiced side by side in Ethiopia long before the introduction of Christianity, according to the tranditional sources. Judaism is not a popular religion in Ethipia, but there are still a few percent of people who are Jews. The Jewish people in Ethiopia are called Beta-Israel, or Falashas. The religion of the Falashas is a modified form of Mosaic Judaism. Menelik, son of King Solomon of Israel and the queen of Sheba, is claimed as the ancestor of the Falashas.

The Falashas also celebrates both scriptural and nonscriptural feast days, and one of the Falasha nonscriptural feast day is the Commemoration of Abraham. Masjid, or synagogue, centers the Falasha religious life.

Ethiopia struggle

Ethiopia’s main opposition, the Coalition for Unity and Democracy (CUD) says the struggle in Ethiopia is a struggle for democracy, and it hopes the United States will stand on the side of those fighting for democracy in Ethiopia.

In July this year, the Ethiopian government pardoned and released from prison 38 of the country’s top opposition leaders. They had been arrested and charged with treason in a government crackdown following the 2005 parliamentary elections. Now a five-man delegation of the opposition CUD is in the United States.

Education in Ethiopia

Education in Ethiopia

Ethiopia is divded in to elementry school, low grade of middle school and higher grade of middle school altogether add up 6 years of education, and usually people in the country side of Ethiopia does not go to school, because their parents do no think that they must go to school, and make them to work in church and educate them in church, and in Ethiopia, usually foreigners are not allowed in local Ethiopian school, and there are few schools made for foreigners in Ethiopia.

The stone churches in Lalibia

In the 13^th century, in the mountain areas in the heart of Africa, lies carved stone churches. Lalibia known to be the holiest city in Ethiopia. Churches dug out from the rock bed of the mountains. These churches were said to be inspired by angels.

In northern Ethiopia there are eleven scared churches, which have been up since the 12^th century, they are a special kind of stone church, and they are rock hewn churches. They were all carved from under the earth, that makes the roof the same level to the ground. They where built

under the rule of King Lalibela.

By - Viki

Timkat Ceremony

One of Ethiopia's largest cities, Gondar, celebrates the Timkat Ceremony every January 19. The Timkat Ceremony is a Christian event where the celebrate Jesus' baptism in the Jordan River by reenacting the holy ceremony. The Timkat Ceremony takes place in the Fasilides Castle,which is outside town in the Royal Enclosure. They would have a model Ark wrapped around in cloth. Visitors from all over the world will come over just to prove the Timkat Ceremony.

During dawn, they have royal bath where people sprinkle water all over the people. They carry colorful umbrellas which stands that the cityspace had unforgotten colors. The people perform wonderful dances and songs. The children run around hollering and playing games. At dusk, where the Ark is carried back to it's home church, that's when the Timkat Ceremony ends.

Thanks to:
http://www.thecircumference.org/experiences/timkat

Islam in Ethiopia

Islam in Ethiopia

Islam is said to be the second most practiced religion in Ethiopia. The first most practiced religion is Christianity. Islam has over twenty-five million followers that are Ethiopian which has been devoted to Islam. The earliest city in Ethiopia that was the earliest Muslim settlement is a city in the Tigray region of Ethiopia, that city is called Negash.

The first few Muslims in Ethiopia are said to be refugees from where Muslim originated: the city of Mecca. Those Muslims, of course, was received by the ruler of Ethiopia during that time who has himself Arabic traditions. The ruler was named Aṣḥama ibn Abjar. Ashama later settled those Muslims in Negash, and that is why Negash is the city in Ethiopia of the earliest Muslim settlement.

Christianity in Ethiopia

The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church is the only pre- colonial church.

There is a population of 40million people in the church.

Around 58% of Ethiopia is a Christian people

Christianity already existed before 330AD but they started off mainly in 330AD

They spread from North to south Ethiopia very fast.

The Christianity was brought with new idea during the time when Africa was colonized by Europe.

These are the facts on Christianity in Europe