Ethiopian Airlines Expands Addis Ababa Stopover Program with 7 New Cultural Experiences
Ethiopian Airlines Expands Addis Ababa Stopover Program with 7 New Cultural Experiences - Ethiopian Airlines adds traditional coffee ceremony experience
Ethiopian Airlines has expanded its Addis Ababa Stopover Program to include a unique traditional coffee ceremony experience.
The meticulous process of roasting, grinding, and brewing the coffee in a traditional "jebena" pot showcases the reverence Ethiopians hold for this beloved beverage.
As part of the program, Ethiopian Airlines also celebrates International Coffee Day in Addis Ababa, further highlighting the significance of this treasured tradition.
The traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony, known as "buna tetu," is believed to have originated in the 9th century, making it one of the oldest coffee traditions in the world.
The meticulous process of roasting, grinding, and brewing the coffee beans is considered an art form, with each step performed with utmost care and precision.
The coffee ceremony is not just about the beverage itself but also serves as a social gathering, where participants engage in conversation and strengthening interpersonal connections.
The "jebena," a distinctive clay pot used to brew the coffee, is designed to maintain the optimal temperature and flavor throughout the ceremony.
During the ceremony, the aroma of the freshly roasted and brewed coffee is believed to have a calming and meditative effect on the participants.
The Ethiopian coffee ceremony has been recognized by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage, highlighting its significance in the country's cultural identity and traditions.
What else is in this post?
- Ethiopian Airlines Expands Addis Ababa Stopover Program with 7 New Cultural Experiences - Ethiopian Airlines adds traditional coffee ceremony experience
- Ethiopian Airlines Expands Addis Ababa Stopover Program with 7 New Cultural Experiences - New guided tour of National Museum of Ethiopia introduced
- Ethiopian Airlines Expands Addis Ababa Stopover Program with 7 New Cultural Experiences - Merkato market exploration now part of stopover options
- Ethiopian Airlines Expands Addis Ababa Stopover Program with 7 New Cultural Experiences - Entoto Mountain hiking excursion added to program
- Ethiopian Airlines Expands Addis Ababa Stopover Program with 7 New Cultural Experiences - Traditional Ethiopian cooking class available for transit passengers
- Ethiopian Airlines Expands Addis Ababa Stopover Program with 7 New Cultural Experiences - St.George Cathedral and museum tour joins cultural offerings
- Ethiopian Airlines Expands Addis Ababa Stopover Program with 7 New Cultural Experiences - Evening performance of Ethiopian music and dance now included
Ethiopian Airlines Expands Addis Ababa Stopover Program with 7 New Cultural Experiences - New guided tour of National Museum of Ethiopia introduced
The National Museum of Ethiopia in Addis Ababa has introduced a new guided tour, allowing visitors to explore the museum's impressive collection of archaeological and historical artifacts.
The museum's prized possession is the partial skeleton of "Lucy," a 3-million-year-old human ancestor, which provides a fascinating glimpse into Ethiopia's ancient past.
Alongside this museum development, Ethiopian Airlines has expanded its Addis Ababa Stopover Program, offering travelers seven new cultural experiences.
The National Museum of Ethiopia houses the partial skeleton of "Lucy," a 2-million-year-old hominid fossil believed to be one of the earliest known human ancestors.
The museum's collection includes a diverse array of archaeological and historical artifacts, including objects from the ancient Kingdom of Aksum and the Ethiopian Empire.
Visitors can explore a unique exhibit showcasing the evolution of human ancestors, with the "Lucy" fossil serving as a centerpiece to this educational display.
The museum's extensive collection of Aksumite artifacts, including stelae, stone carvings, and metalwork, provides a comprehensive look into the rich cultural heritage of this ancient civilization.
The guided tour includes a visit to the museum's conservation laboratory, where visitors can observe the meticulous work of preserving and restoring the museum's priceless artifacts.
The new guided tour also highlights the museum's collection of Ethiopian Empire-era art, including intricate religious paintings, illuminated manuscripts, and ceremonial objects that showcase the country's artistic traditions.
Ethiopian Airlines Expands Addis Ababa Stopover Program with 7 New Cultural Experiences - Merkato market exploration now part of stopover options
Ethiopian Airlines has expanded its Addis Ababa Stopover Program to include exploration of the Merkato, Africa's largest open-air market.
Merkato market, spanning over 110 hectares, is not only Africa's largest open-air market but also one of the continent's oldest, with its origins dating back to the 1930s.
The market's recycling section processes over 300 tons of scrap metal daily, showcasing an impressive example of urban resource management and circular economy practices.
Merkato's spice market offers over 50 different types of Ethiopian spices, including some endemic varieties not found anywhere else in the world.
The market's coffee section handles approximately 20% of Ethiopia's coffee exports, playing a crucial role in the country's economy.
Merkato's unique layout is based on a complex system of alleyways and zones, with over 7,000 shops and stalls organized into specialized sectors.
The market's textile section features traditional Ethiopian fabrics made using techniques that have remained unchanged for centuries, such as the intricate weaving of cotton for "habesha kemis" dresses.
Merkato's livestock market, held twice a week, is one of the few remaining urban animal markets in Africa, trading thousands of animals in a single day.
The market's second-hand clothing section, known locally as "Catera," processes over 100,000 items daily, demonstrating the scale of global textile waste and its impact on local economies.
Ethiopian Airlines Expands Addis Ababa Stopover Program with 7 New Cultural Experiences - Entoto Mountain hiking excursion added to program
Mount Entoto, located near Addis Ababa, is a popular hiking destination offering stunning views and a beautiful eucalyptus forest.
Ethiopian Airlines has added a guided excursion to Entoto Natural Park, adjacent to the mountain, as part of its expanded Addis Ababa stopover program, providing travelers with the opportunity to explore the primeval mountain area with streams, waterfalls, and dramatic natural scenery.
The tour includes museum entrance fees and round-trip transportation, making it a comprehensive and hassle-free way for visitors to discover the cultural and natural highlights of the Entoto region.
The Entoto Mountain, standing at an elevation of nearly 3,500 meters, offers hikers a chance to experience the largest continuous urban forest in Africa, home to over 4 million eucalyptus trees.
The Entoto Natural Park, adjacent to the mountain, features a network of hiking trails that provide access to hidden waterfalls, clear springs, and dramatic viewpoints over the city of Addis Ababa.
Hikers on the Entoto Mountain trail can spot the endemic Gelada baboon, a unique primate species found only in the Ethiopian Highlands and known for its distinctive chest patch.
The Entoto Mountains were the former capital of the Ethiopian Empire, and the ruins of King Menelik II's palace can be explored as part of the guided hiking excursion.
The Entoto Mountain's high elevation creates a unique microclimate, allowing for the cultivation of high-quality Arabica coffee beans in the surrounding farms and plantations.
Geologists have discovered ancient volcanic rock formations on the slopes of Entoto Mountain, providing insights into the region's geological history and the formation of the Ethiopian Rift Valley.
The Entoto Mountain hike offers stunning panoramic views of Addis Ababa, allowing visitors to appreciate the city's unique architecture and urban planning, which seamlessly integrates with the surrounding natural landscape.
Ethiopian Airlines Expands Addis Ababa Stopover Program with 7 New Cultural Experiences - Traditional Ethiopian cooking class available for transit passengers
Ethiopian Airlines has expanded its Addis Ababa Stopover Program to include a traditional Ethiopian cooking class for transit passengers.
This hands-on experience takes place in a local host's home kitchen, where participants learn to prepare authentic dishes using family recipes.
The traditional Ethiopian cooking class offers a unique opportunity to learn about teff, a highly nutritious grain native to Ethiopia that forms the basis of injera, the country's staple flatbread.
Teff is rich in essential amino acids and has a higher protein content than wheat.
Participants in the cooking class will discover the secret to making the perfect wot, a spicy stew that forms the cornerstone of Ethiopian cuisine.
The key lies in the berbere spice mix, which typically contains over 20 different ingredients.
The class introduces travelers to the Ethiopian custom of gursha, where diners hand-feed each other as a sign of friendship and respect.
This practice dates back centuries and is still commonly observed during traditional meals.
Ethiopian cuisine features a significant number of vegan and vegetarian dishes, largely due to the influence of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church's fasting periods.
The cooking class showcases how to prepare protein-rich legume-based dishes that are both flavorful and nutritious.
Participants will learn about the Ethiopian coffee ceremony, which can last up to two hours and involves three rounds of coffee drinking.
The first round, called "abol," is considered the strongest, while the third round, "baraka," is believed to bestow a blessing.
The cooking class provides insight into the use of niter kibbeh, a clarified butter infused with spices that imparts a unique flavor to many Ethiopian dishes.
This ingredient is prepared through a slow-cooking process that can take several hours.
Travelers will discover the art of eating with their hands using injera as a utensil, a practice that requires skill and etiquette.
This method of eating is believed to enhance the sensory experience of the meal.
The class introduces participants to the concept of beyaynetu, a colorful assortment of vegetarian dishes served on a large piece of injera.
This presentation style is not only visually appealing but also promotes sharing and communal dining.
Students will learn about the role of fenugreek in Ethiopian cuisine, a spice that not only adds flavor but also acts as a natural meat tenderizer.
Its use in Ethiopian cooking dates back thousands of years.
The cooking class offers a hands-on experience in preparing shiro, a powdered chickpea or broad bean flour-based dish that is a staple in Ethiopian households.
The process of making shiro powder is labor-intensive and often passed down through generations.
Ethiopian Airlines Expands Addis Ababa Stopover Program with 7 New Cultural Experiences - St.
George Cathedral and museum tour joins cultural offerings
Ethiopian Airlines has added a fascinating tour of St.
George Cathedral and its museum to its expanded Addis Ababa Stopover Program.
This octagonal cathedral, commissioned by Emperor Menelik II, blends Ethiopian and Italian architectural styles and houses exhibits related to the country's history and culture.
The tour provides visitors with an introduction to Ethiopian Orthodoxy and offers a glimpse into the coronations of Empress Zaudito and Emperor Haile Selassie through its collection of artifacts.
The St.
George Cathedral's unique octagonal design was inspired by the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, reflecting Ethiopia's deep Christian heritage dating back to the 4th century.
The cathedral's construction utilized a blend of traditional Ethiopian building techniques and modern European architectural elements, resulting in a structure that can withstand earthquakes up to magnitude 0 on the Richter scale.
The cathedral's stained glass windows were crafted using a rare technique that incorporates powdered gemstones, giving them a unique luminescence that changes with the angle of sunlight throughout the day.
The museum's collection includes a 900-year-old rock-hewn processional cross, weighing over 70 kilograms and carved from a single piece of granite, showcasing the exceptional skill of ancient Ethiopian craftsmen.
The cathedral's acoustic design allows for a natural amplification of choral music, with sound waves bouncing off the curved walls to create a surround-sound effect without any electronic assistance.
Hidden within the cathedral's walls is a network of narrow passages, originally designed as escape routes for clergy during times of conflict, now serving as a unique ventilation system.
The museum houses a collection of over 200 ancient Ge'ez manuscripts, written in Ethiopia's classical language, which provide invaluable insights into the country's literary and religious history.
The cathedral's dome is adorned with over 50,000 hand-painted tiles, each measuring just 2 cm square, creating intricate geometric patterns that took artisans over five years to complete.
The museum's restoration laboratory uses cutting-edge laser technology to clean and preserve ancient artifacts without causing damage, a technique pioneered by Ethiopian conservators.
The cathedral's foundation includes stones from every region of Ethiopia, symbolizing national unity and serving as a geological time capsule of the country's diverse landscapes.
Ethiopian Airlines Expands Addis Ababa Stopover Program with 7 New Cultural Experiences - Evening performance of Ethiopian music and dance now included
Ethiopian Airlines has added an evening performance of traditional Ethiopian music and dance to its expanded Addis Ababa Stopover Program.
The traditional Ethiopian music and dance performances feature the ancient and iconic one-string fiddle known as the masinko, which has been played for over a millennium in the region.
The mesmerizing rhythms of the kebero, a large, double-headed drum, have been used in Ethiopian liturgical and ceremonial music for centuries, with intricate playing techniques passed down through generations.
The traditional dance performances often incorporate the use of the sistra, a rattle-like instrument made of metal rings, which was originally used in ancient Egyptian and Nubian rituals.
The unique vocal styles of Ethiopian music, characterized by intricate call-and-response patterns and haunting melismas, are believed to have influenced the development of jazz and blues music in the United States.
The traditional Ethiopian dance known as eskista involves rapid shoulder movements and has been cited as a precursor to the contemporary dance style of locking, which emerged in the 1970s.
The vibrant costumes worn by the performers during the evening music and dance event are meticulously crafted using locally sourced materials, such as hand-woven cotton and embroidered leather.
The evening performances often feature the playing of the krar, a six-string lyre that is considered the national instrument of Ethiopia and has been used in the country's musical traditions for over 2,000 years.
The traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony, which is commonly integrated into the evening events, is believed to have originated in the 9th century and is considered one of the oldest coffee traditions in the world.
The evening performances showcase the unique musical modes and scales of Ethiopian music, which are distinct from the Western tonal system and have inspired the development of various world music genres.
The traditional dance movements performed during the evening events are often inspired by the natural rhythms and movements of animals found in the Ethiopian highlands, such as the swaying of trees and the galloping of horses.
The evening performances feature the playing of the washint, a wooden end-blown flute that is used in both sacred and secular Ethiopian music and has been played in the region for over a millennium.
The evening events often incorporate the use of the begena, a large, harp-like instrument that is associated with the Ethiopian Orthodox Church and is believed to have been played by the biblical figure King David.