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Great for language learners, a MUST for any vacation! This Africa Phrasebook with Food and Culture guide has 13 different languages found in Africa:
Amharic (Ethiopian) Language and Culture
Where does it come from? Amharic is one of the languages of Ethiopia, belonging to the South Ethiopic group of Ethiopian Semitic languages.
All the Ethiopic languages are descended from Geez, the ancient literary and ecclesiastic language of Ethiopia.
It is thought that the Semitic languages were introduced into Ethiopia from the Arabian Peninsula sometime in the first millennium B.C. The Ethiopic alphabet used in Amharic is also believed to have had its ultimate origin in Arabia. Amharic has also been influenced in its grammar and vocabulary by the nearby Cushitic tongues.
How many people speak it? There are 20 million speakers of Amharic, about one third of Ethiopa's population.
In how many countries? Amharic is the national language of Ethiopia, and has been the official tongue since the 14th Century. It is spoken in the vicinity of the capital, Addis Ababa, and the area just to the north.
A spot of Culture Literature: Ethiopia has a rich tradition of literature, including a number of translations from ancient Greek, Arabic, and other languages into Geez and modern Amharic. Most of the works are theological or mythological in nature, while secular literature is largely historical. It wasn't until the end of WWII that Amharic writers began writing about other issues, such as moral and patriotic themes.
Music & Dance: The Ethiopian ?krar' is a five or six-string lyre that is either plucked with the fingers or strummed with a plectrum. It is one of the oldest stringed instruments in the world and is thought to have bewitching powers. The krar is played solo, as an accompaniment to singing or storytelling, or as part of ensembles featuring flutes and drums.
Some of Ethiopia's Attractions Addis Ababa: Ethiopia's capital is a huge city with a population of 3 million people. Places of interest include the Ethnographic museum, which apart from housing artefacts that reveal Ethiopia's ethnic diversity, also showcases Haile Selassie's bedroom and bathroom, Africa Hall, a monument to African independence, and the Mercato, one of the largest open-air markets in Africa.
Aksum: This is the holiest city in Ethiopia and the place where Christianity was declared the national religion in the 4th Century. The original Ark of the Covenant, which holds the Ten Commandments, is supposed to live beneath the grounds of the 17th Century St. Mary of Zion church, although no one is allowed to see it. Ruins of the Palace of Sheba are also here.
Rift Valley Lakes: These seven lakes sit in a wide, fertile valley, which runs between Addis Ababa and the Kenyan border. Lakes Lagano, Abiyata and Shala are perhaps the most popular of the seven - one lake is blue, one silver and one brown. This is also an ideal spot for bird watching. There are also hot springs at Wondo Genet, south of the three lakes. Towards the Kenyan border, Lakes Abaya and Chamo are busy with wildlife, especially crocodiles.
