Picture of the day From Fasiladas Castle , Gondar ,Ethiopia

Ashenda

Ashenda or Shadey (Tigrinya: ኣሸንዳ, Agaw language: ሻደይ) is a festival celebrated in August (G.C.) in the Tigray and Amhara regions of Ethiopia, and in neighbouring Eritrea.[1][2] Ashenda marks the end of a two-week-long fast known as Filseta (Ge’ez: ጾመ-ፍልሰታ) when adherents of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church/Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo Church gather to honour the Virgin Mary. The word “Ashenda” is currently used both in Amharic and Tigrigna languages to denote a vertical sewerage channel that passes water down to the ground from the top of a roof. In the Khimra sect of Agew, Ashenda means the “tall green grass”, estimated at around 80–90 cm minimum height that girls wear around their waists during the holiday. In the tradition of this religious festival, blades of grass are strewn on the floors of homes and shops as a kind of welcome mat. The festivity of Ashenda has no common name throughout the country. For instance,

• In Enderta, historically it is known as Ashenda (Tigrinya: ኣሸንዳ), and is colorfully celebrated on August 16-21.
• In Wag Hemra zone it is called Shaday (ሻደይ), and in Raya Kobo it’s known as Solel (ሶለል). It is celebrated on August 16
• In Adigrat town it is called Mariya (ማርያ). It is celebrated August 15–17
• In Aksum town it is called Ayniwari (ዓይኒዋሪ). It is celebrated August 23–25

This cultural festivity was originated from two historical legends that occurred in different periods. These were;

• The sacrification of Jehphttah’s daughter by her own father as cited in the Book of Jedges, the Old Testament
• The ascension of Virgin Mary (mother of Jesus); see Dormition of the Mother of God 

Buhe:

Buhe

             Buhe is a unique religious holiday celebrated by the Ethiopian orthodox religion followers in a very special and warm way right before Kiremt (Ethiopian rainy season) ends. Buhe celebration usually takes place three weeks before Enkutatash (Ethiopian New Year) which is going to fall on September 11, 2013.

According to the orthodox religion, this particular festivity commemorates the transfiguration of Jesus when he went up onto a mountain to pray with his three disciples Peter, John and James and appeared in his glorious splendor accompanied by Moses and Elijah. This particular day called “Debretabor” and named after the mountain. 




Ethiopians honor this particular day by burning chibo (bunch of dried sticks), “boys in particular” singing a certain song called Hoya Hoye!and going door to door to receive a special home backed little Ethiopian bread called “Mulmul” made for Buhe celebration. 

The song Hoya Hoye contains special Amharic verses created by the boys and it is usually about praising the owner of the house they go to and after they get their gift they finish up the song with special verses that express their gratitude and best wishes for next year. 

Hoya Hoye is particularly for young boys as Enkutatash is for young girls. The stick they are holding used as a musical instrument and they make the sound by hitting the ground with it. Here is something for you to Enjoy Hoya Hoye!

And at the end of the day, the chibo burning takes place as small as in each house hold with the family or as huge as in a neighborhood together with friends, family and neighbors. 


Then the song Hoya Hoye continues but this time in great cheer…clapping and running around the burning chibo…which also makes this particular day, a celebration of the rainy season before it departs and welcoming the New Year with  new hope.


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LOST ANCIENT MUSLIM CITY DISCOVERED IN ETHIOPIA COULD REVEAL DETAILS OF ISLAM’S HISTORY IN AFRICA

A lost city thought to be more than 1,000 years old has been discovered in Ethiopia and may offer insight into Islam’s origins in the country.

The settlement, located near Ethiopia’s second largest city of Dire Dawa, in the east of the country, consisted of buildings constructed with large stone blocks, which gave rise to a local myth that giants lived there. Researchers believe it may date back as early as the 10th century.

Archaeologists discovered a 12th-century mosque in the settlement at Harlaa, as well as evidence of Islamic burials and headstones. The team, from the University of Exeter and the Ethiopian Authority for Research and Conservation of Cultural Heritage, also found artifacts from as far afield as India and China, suggesting that the region functioned as a hub for foreign traders.

TripAdvisor hotels review

The TripAvdisor  Informed their hotel review of this week .

See the best hotels in Addis Ababa from the tripadvisor hotel review recommendation.


#1 of 117 Addisinia Hotel 
located at Djibuty Str. , Bole sub city wereda 03
( https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g293791-d7379267-Reviews-Addissinia_Hotel-Addis_Ababa.html )


#2 of 117 Capital Hotel and Spa 
located at 22 mazoria ,Haile Gebre sillasie ave. next to Ministry of Water and Energy
( https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g293791-d4463001-Reviews-Capital_Hotel_and_Spa-Addis_Ababa.html )


#3 of 117 Sheraton Addis , a luxury collection hotel 
located at Taitu street ,
(https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g293791-d304567-Reviews-Sheraton_Addis_a_Luxury_Collection_Hotel-Addis_Ababa.html )

Which hotel is you best hotel , rate and review your best moments on TRIPADVISOR

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Ethiopian tourism

Ethiopia in Top Ten Lonely Planet 2017 List

The largest travel guide-book publisher, Lonely Planet, cataloged Ethiopia among the top ten 2017 world tourist destinations.

The travel publisher indicated that visitors would be overwhelmed by the beauty of country's scenery. It also highlighted the rewarding attractions: "Whether they [tourists] are trekking in the Semien Mountains to watch wildlife that roams nowhere else on Earth, climbing to a church carved into a remote cliff face in Tigray or boating across the serene waters of Lake Tana to visit an age-old monastery.

The launch of new airline links in 2017 would make the country more accessible than ever and urges tourists to be one of the first to hop on board, it said.

Ethiopia being the only African nation to make it to the esteemed list, Canada, Colombia, Finland, Dominica, Nepal, Bermuda, Mongolia, Oman and Myanmar were also able to make the cut.

According to Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Ethiopia envisions becoming one of the best tourism destinations in the continent.

Tourism reportedly makes up five percent of country's GDP, registers an average of ten percent growth every year and creates more than a million jobs.

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