Ethiopia is a country of endless
diversity. Now I offer you a brief Alta-glance glued to some of its most
colorful customs and ceremonies. Many people visit Ethiopia or hope to do some
of its most colorful customs and ceremonies.
Ethiopia A Tourist Paradise of
Africa Pages Home Historical Sites of Ethiopia Nature and wild life areas
Festivals Monday, 24 June 2013 Finding the True Cross called Meskel. Many people visit
Ethiopia or hope to do so one day- because of the remarkable manner in which
ancient historical traditional have been preserved. And indeed, the ceremonies
and rituals of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, some of which are highlighted on
the following pages open a window on the authentic world of the Old Testament.
In no other country is it possible to find yourself so dramatically transported
back in time or to participate with such freedom in the sacred rituals of an
archaic faith.
The
past also comes alive in Ethiopia in the form of strange and beautiful
monuments and ruins, built long centuries ago, which have been preserved intact
in to modern time. At Axum you will see 2000 year old steae carved out of
single pieces of granite, weighing hundreds of tons and standing more than 30
meters tall. They are part of a tradition of monolithic art that were hewn out
of solid bedrock almost 800 years ago. In Gonder you will see fairytale castles
dating back to the 17th century that seem to belong in an Arthurian
romance and in Harar you will lose yourself in an Arabian nights fantasy of
narrow alleyways and towering minarets, of incense and intrigue.But an ancient history and rich traditions
are only a few of the many blessings that have been heaped on Ethiopia. This
too is a land of astonishing natural beauty offering an almost unbelievable varieties
of landscapes: afro-alpine highlands soaring to around 4300 meters; deserts
below sea level sprinkled with salt flats and yellow sulphur, astonishing
lakelands where rare and beautiful birds brighten the sky; moors and mountains;
the splendor of the Great Rift Valley: white water rivers savannahs teeming
with giant waterfalls; dense and luxurious jungle and the list is endless.
To
help the visitor enjoy Ethiopia’s wildlife and scenery-and to ensure the
preservation of these a large number of national parks have been created and
are listed in the pages of this guide. These parks encompass some of adventure
unparalleled in Africa. Ethiopia is a truly a land of discovery brilliant and
beautiful, secretive, mysterious and extraordinary. After reading these brief
guides hope that you will be encouraged to experience it for yourself
