Culture and Customs of Ethiopia - (Culture and Customs of Africa) by Solomon Getahun & Wudu Kassu (Hardcover)

About the Book

An ideal resource for anyone interested in learning about Ethiopia, this accessible, single-volume work provides all-encompassing and up-to-date coverage of the ancient and diverse cultures of Africa's second-most populated nation.
Explore the fascinating culture of Ethiopia, a highly diverse nation built on the foundations of ancient kingdoms--truly a melting pot of traditions from Africa as well as other continents. With increasing freedom of speech and growing access to technology, Ethiopians are better able--and more eager--than ever to share ideas, art, and information not only with each other, but with the rest of the world.

This detailed volume offers readers informed perspectives on one of the world's oldest populations, covering its long-ago history as well as its evolution in the 21st century. Readers will discover Ethiopa's collection of written and oral stories, unique art and architecture inspired by royalty and religion, delicious cuisine, and many forms of music, dress, and dance. The book's chapters also describe important changes in Ethiopia's social customs, prevalent attitudes regarding women, and the nation's historically oppressive political system.

• Presents comprehensive, current coverage of Ethiopia that includes the latest archaeological findings and socio-economic and political developments as well as previously overlooked topics such as gender, slavery, and migration
• Addresses the major famines in Ethiopia in the 1980s that led to the deaths of thousands of people and served as the reason many Westerners first became aware of this African nation
• Describes all of the major ethnic groups of Ethiopia, including the Afar, Amhara, Oromo, Sidamo, Somalis, and Tigray

Book Synopsis

An ideal resource for anyone interested in learning about Ethiopia, this accessible, single-volume work provides all-encompassing and up-to-date coverage of the ancient and diverse cultures of Africa's second-most populated nation.

Explore the fascinating culture of Ethiopia, a highly diverse nation built on the foundations of ancient kingdoms--truly a melting pot of traditions from Africa as well as other continents. With increasing freedom of speech and growing access to technology, Ethiopians are better able--and more eager--than ever to share ideas, art, and information not only with each other, but with the rest of the world.

This detailed volume offers readers informed perspectives on one of the world's oldest populations, covering its long-ago history as well as its evolution in the 21st century. Readers will discover Ethiopa's collection of written and oral stories, unique art and architecture inspired by royalty and religion, delicious cuisine, and many forms of music, dress, and dance. The book's chapters also describe important changes in Ethiopia's social customs, prevalent attitudes regarding women, and the nation's historically oppressive political system.

Review Quotes

"Since Ethiopia is the African country with the most UNESCO World Heritage sites, the oldest alphabet still in use in the world, the world's hottest settlement, and is known as the Switzerland of Africa, the desire for information on this country is constant. This book adds to that information." --ARBA

About the Author

Solomon Addis Getahun is associate professor of history at Central Michigan University.

Wudu Tafete Kassu, PhD, is assistant professor of history at the Addis Ababa University (AAU), Ethiopia.