Ethiopia, Africa’s oldest independent country and the second largest in terms of population is a country rich in history, culture, and natural beauty. While many are familiar with its association with coffee and its ancient Christian traditions, Ethiopia has many lesser-known aspects that make it truly unique. Here are some intriguing facts about this remarkable country.
1. Only African country not colonised
While attempts were made by the Italians to colonise Ethiopia, they were ultimately unsuccessful. The first major attempt occurred during the late 19th century, culminating in the Battle of Adwa in 1896. Ethiopia’s ability to resist colonisation remains a point of pride for Africans and is a testament to its strong leadership, military strategy, and cultural resilience. Also, Ethiopia is the most populous country in Africa, after Nigeria. Ethiopia’s population is estimated to be over 125 million people, with a growth rate that has remained relatively high.
2. Ethiopian Calendar
Ethiopia follows its ancient calendar, which is approximately 7-8 years behind the Gregorian calendar used by most of the world. The Ethiopian year has 13 months: 12 months of 30 days each and a 13th month, Pagumē, consisting of five or six days depending on the leap year. This means Ethiopia celebrated the year 2017 when the rest of the world entered 2025.
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3. Birthplace of Coffee
Legend has it that coffee was discovered in Ethiopia by a goat herder named Kaldi, who noticed his goats becoming energetic after eating berries from a certain tree. Today, Ethiopia is one of the world’s largest coffee producers, and coffee ceremonies remain a vital part of Ethiopian culture, symbolising hospitality and friendship.
4. Over 70% of Africa’s tallest mountains
Along with Ethiopia’s incredible cultural and historical significance, the natural beauty is in a league of its own. In addition to a gorgeous landscape of low deserts and volcanic plateaus, Ethiopia is incredibly mountainous. Around 70% of Africa’s tallest mountains are in Ethiopia.
5. Unique Script
Ethiopia uses its writing system, Ge’ez, which is one of the oldest scripts still in use today. Ge’ez is the liturgical language of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, while its modern derivatives, Amharic and Tigrinya, are widely spoken in the country.
6. Ark of the Covenant
According to Ethiopian tradition, the Ark of the Covenant, which is believed to contain the Ten Commandments, is housed in the Church of St. Mary of Zion in Axum. Though it remains unseen by outsiders, this belief is a cornerstone of Ethiopia’s spiritual heritage.
7. Origin of the Blue Nile
The Blue Nile, one of the two major tributaries of the Nile River, originates from Lake Tana in Ethiopia. It merges with the White Nile in Sudan to form the mighty Nile River, the longest river in the world.
8. Land of Ancient Christianity
Ethiopia was one of the first countries to adopt Christianity as a state religion in the 4th century. The rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, carved from solid rock in the 12th century, are architectural marvels and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
