Country Spotlight: 5 Kid-Friendly Ways to Learn About Ethiopia
Where in the world…
Fun Facts
1. The Ethiopian calendar has a 13th month consisting of only five to six days.
2. Ethiopians have a reputation as being some of the fastest runners in the world. In 1960, Ethiopian Abebe Bikila won the Olympic marathon running barefoot! Ethiopians have held the world marathon record five times since 1908. The current world record holder for the women’s 5,000 meters and Olympic record holder for the women’s 10,000 meters is native Tirunesh Dibaba.
Ethiopian Tirunesh Dibaba is the current 10,000 meter Olympic record holder and the 5,000 meter world record holder. Photo by Ragnar Singsaas via Wikimedia.
3. Ethiopians measure time from when the sun rises and count time on the opposite side of the clock. When the sun rises, it is said to be 12 o’clock – the start of the day in Ethiopia.
In Ethiopia, time is measured from when the sun rises. Photo by Seifu Kidane via Wikimedia.
4. Coffee originated in Ethiopia.
Ethiopian coffee beans. Photo by Mrskupe via Wikimedia.
5. Over 80 different languages are spoken in Ethiopia. The official language is Amharic. All children learn to speak Amharic, their tribal language AND English.
Read all about it!
This sweet book introduces kids to interesting facts and information about Ethiopia using the letters of the alphabet.
How do you say…
Hello … teanaste’lle’gn
Good-bye … dähna hun (m) / dähna hungi (f)
Please … i’bakih (m) / i’bakish (f)
Thank you … amesege’nallo’
You’re welcome … Minem Aydelem (meaning “no problem”)
Yes … awo
No … aye
Wine … Tej (Ethiopian honey wine)
A Taste of Ethiopia
