ETHIOPIA PREHISTORY

The history of Ethiopia begins with Lucy. Lucy was a female hominoid that lived in what is now called the Awash Valley in Hadar some 3.2 million years ago. When her skeletons were discovered in 1974, Ethiopia then claimed that it was the first dwelling of mankind. But recent finds in Kenya, such as the discovery of Kenyanthropus platyops in 1998, have come to challenge Lucy as to who really is the direct ancestor of humankind. But what this discovery does more than anything is add to the confusion about the human evolutionary tree. This recent discovery in Kenya is among a series of fossil finds over the past two decades that have doubled the number of recognized human-like species.

But why was she called Lucy? Donald Johanson, the anthropologist from Chicago University who discovered her, tells us why: "Surely such a noble little fossil lady deserved a name. As we [his expedition crew] sat around one evening listening to Beatles' songs, someone said, ‘Why don't we call her Lucy? You know, after “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds. “’ So she became Lucy.”

COUNTRY ETHIOPIA

Ethiopia, the oldest independent nation in Africa, is a land of stunning natural beauty, a rich diversity of culture and geography that will captivate the visitor. The welcome that comes from the mosaic of a people with over 80 different languages and as many cultures is warm and spontaneous. The attractions of Ethiopia are of world renown, and the development of the Country as the foremost tourist destination in North East Africa has opened up Ethiopia to a new generation of tourists, to whom a visit to he land of the Queen of Sheba, the birthplace of the Blue Nile and the cradle of mankind' was previously just adream. The climate is dependent on the physical terrain and its position close to the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean, but for much of the year it is warm and pleasant in low-lying areas and cool and bracing in the highlands. There are two principal seasons, rainy from June to September, (although the sun still shines on most days), and dry for the rest of the year. Just perfect for discovering the riches of Ethiopia.

HISTORICAL ETHIOPIA

That Ethiopia has a heritage from the beginnings of mankind was underlined when the remains of 'LUCY' dated from 3.5 million years ago, and the 4.4 million year old Homo ramidus afarenis, man's oldest anthropoid ancestor, were uncovered. Traders from Greece, Rome, Persia and Egypt knew of the riches of what is now Ethiopia, and by the first century AD, Axum was the capital of and great empire. This realm became one of the first Christian lands of Africa. Late in the 10th century Axum declined and a new Zagwa Dynasty, centered in what is now Lalibela, ruled the land. Axum, Lalibella and Gondar now provide our greates historical legacy. It was in the 16th century that the son of the great explorer Vasco da Gama came to Ethiopia, but then found a land of may kingdoms and provinces beset by feuds land wars. In the 19th century the great Emperor Menelik led us towards the modern state of Ethiopia, and the County's passage to modernization began.

NATURAL ETHIOPIA

The natural beauty of Ethiopia amazes the first- time visitor. Ethiopia is a land of rugged mountains (some 25 are over 4,000 meters high), broad savannah, lakes and rivers. The unique Rift Valley is a remarkable region of volcanic lakes, with their famous collections of bird life, great escarpments and stunning vistas. Tissisat, the Blue Nile Falls, must rank as one of the greatest natural spectacles in Africa to day. With 14 major wildlife reserves, Ethiopia provides a microcosm of the entire sub Saharan ecosystem, Bird life abounds, and indigenous animals from the rare Walia ibex to the shy wild ass, roam free just as nature intended.Ethiopia, after the rains, is a land decked with flowers and with many more native plants than most countries in Africa.

THE CULTURE OF ETHIOPIA

With over 80 different peoples, the cultures of our communities are prominent in our lifestyle. With traditions going back to the days of Axum, and a stron religious setting, celebrations and festivals play an important part in our daily lives. Our greatest festival is Timket (Epiphany), where tourists are welcome to celebrate with us. But other festivals such as Enkutatash (the Ethiopian New Year, in September after the rains). Maskal, Gena (Christmas), Id and Easter are all glorious celebrations. In every region you will discover local festivals and ceremonies where you will be welcomed as an houred guest. Remember, when checking any dates, that Ethiopia still retains the Julian calendar, and we are unique in having thirteen months. Our traditional calendar remains almost eight years behind the Gregorain Calendar of the West.