A 'SHOCKING' (?!) Ethiopian form of connection

Every culture has unique customs or beliefs that can be seen as odd or shocking to those who have lived outside of that cultural bubble.

One of the most surprising cultural differences between Australian and Ethiopian customs (to me at least) is our perception of socially acceptable intimacy within friendships.  

Acceptable In Ethiopia, Weird in Australia

In Adis Ababa, Ethiopian friends of the same sex can hold hands with one another without a second thought, despite being in a country where homosexuality is illegal. However if a man and a woman were to hold hands it would be frowned upon.

This would be weird if two straight males were doing this

When I learnt this, I was GOBSMACKED. Here in Melbourne Australia, hand holding is considered to be an intimate gesture reserved for lovers, or a physical sign of affection for childish young girls (teeny boppers).

Cute kids holding hands; Macho men don't like to be called cute

In Melbourne, two straight adult male friends would not seriously hold hands walking down Flinders Street for a myriad of reasons. One being that it is not considered a very masculine thing to do, as hand holding is generally perceived as childish or too effeminately affectionate. In addition, they might be considered to be in a homosexual relationship, and thus don't want to send the wrong image by holding hands.

 

PDA between friends is cool

However, would I feel culture shock (cs) seeing this completely foreign hand holding everywhere in Addis Ababa?  At first I said yes, this Ethiopian custom shocks me because it is completely opposite to my Australian conception of acceptable intimacy within friendships. However, now I learned that it is a source of cultural confusion (cc) , not shock as Hottola (2004) explains in his journal article 'Culture Confusion, Intercultural Adaptation in Tourism."   

Therefore to combat similar culture confusion it's best to do some research on the host culture of your destined country and to keep an open mind about further cultural oddities that you might find. Frankly, many cultures have different beliefs, and in a globalised community that's what makes our global culture interesting and colourful.

To Cut Or Not To Cut: A 'Ritualistic Bad Taste' pt 2

Female circumcision has always been a contentious issue between the outsiders who don't practice it and the insiders who do, and depending on where you grew up it may be a cultural bad or good taste. It involves the modification, whether it be major or minor, of the clitoris, labia, or vagina, and generally done on girls in their infancy up until they are 15 years old.

Ethiopia is one of many African and Islamic countries who practice female circumcision where  around 70%  (23. 8 million) of it's female population have undergone the ritual when they were young. Female circumcision for many Ethiopians is an integral part of the Ethiopian cultural ritual that determines girls' marriageability appeal and physical marker of womanhood to a prospective partner, which 'ensures their protection from material want,' (Jo Boyden 2012, pp1).

However as outsiders, many are horrified by this practice as evidenced through efforts by organisations like UNICEF to change the beliefs and attitudes of the populace so that they will discontinue the practice of female circumcision. Obviously it is difficult for us to have cosmopolitan attitude and "willingness to engage and be open'' in regards to female circumcision.

"I can't imagine putting my child through that," Lana Inglis on female circumcision

Yet in an effort to improve the attitudes and lifestyles of women who practice female circumcision; we may fail to be 'cosmopolitan' in that we judge the practice instead of seeking to understand it. In fact, we may be seeking to hybridise the cultural practices of the Ethiopians by removing female circumcision to better suit the tastes of Western beliefs. Though whether female circumcision is a benefit or detriment to Ethiopian women should remain as an Ethiopian debate, not be a concern of unknowing tourists impinging their values onto their host culture.

300 words

Sources:

• Boyden, Jo 2012, Why are current efforts to eliminate female circumcision in Ethiopia Misplaced? Culture, Health and Sexuality, Vol. 13, No. 10, pp 1111-1123
• Jonas, Tammi 2013, 'Being Cosmopolitan- Eating the Vernacular,' Cultural Studies Review, Vol.19, No 1, pp117-137;
• Rodgers, J 2007, 'Managing Cultural Diversity In Australia: Legislating Female Circumcision, Legislating Communities,' In Y Herlund And B Shell- Duncan (eds.), New Brunswick, pp. 135-156
• UNICEF 2013, Female Genital Mutilaton/ Cutting: A Statistical overview and exploration of the dynamics of change, UNICEF, viewed 1 September 2014,  www.unicef.org/esaro/FGCM_Lo_res.pdf

Grabbing Ethiopia

Ethiopia is a country filled with breathtaking landscapes in nature, diverse in culture and religious views (Judaism, Christianity, Islam) that coexist rather peacefully and rich in history; which is terrific for tourists searching for something different and adventurous. Well that's what these promotional videos below have thematically essentialised Ethiopia as. 

World Vignettes describes Ethiopia: "[Ethiopia has] the richness of culture, the excitement of a safari and a wonder of nation rarely seen by Western eyes," 

The FDRE Ministry of Culture and Tourism displays Ethiopia's rich culture and exotic looking diversity,

Promotional Video: Walta Information Center, Addis Ababa

Of course, that's their prerogative in order to attract tourists, however a promotional company can represent Ethiopia as, another can spin it's image differently.

When they show you the breathtaking landscapes of the Nile, mountains, ancient structures along with the richness of culture, they don't highlight the farmland owned by foreign investors. 

Workers on farmland owned by Karaturi Global, in Bako credits to Jose Cendon/ Getty Images  from theguardian.com 

As a result of this foreign investment, do they reveal the displaced people evicted from their traditional land, as a result of the FDRE's highly promoted venture to sell off three million hectares of farmland to foreign investors (of which one million has already been sold)?  

People struggling to feed themselves, due to displacement

When they promote cultural diversity do they mean this guy?

Sai Ramakrishna Karaturi;
founder of Karaturi Global
 one of many enterprises buying Ethiopian Land
Article here 

OF COURSE NOT!

Massey (2006) teaches us that space and place are fluid concepts, not restrained by it's common representation of how other people may present it through maps, promotional videos, brochures etc.  Ethiopia as a place is perceived differently for tourists, it's Indigenous people, government and foreign investors. 

Therefore, you cannot presume that Ethiopia is the land of untouched wilderness of exotic cultures filled with rich histories, it's not only that. Thus, when making your journey around Ethiopia, don't search for an essentialised promotional version of Ethiopia, discover YOUR STORY of Ethiopia and make it matter to you. 

To cut or not to cut? pt 1

What's so controversial about the objects displayed above (razor and knife)?

So in countries like Ethiopia, these tools (along with knives and glass) have been used to cut, along with partial and whole removal of external female genitalia (clitoris, vaginal lips etc) - often without being sanitized and in less than sterile conditions.

Shocking right? Well this practice is most commonly known as Female Gender Mutilation/Circumcision (FGM/C). In Ethiopia it is believed that around 71% of women have undergone the various forms of FGM/C. This could have happened at infancy until when they are 15 years old- depending on where the child is from.

The  four types of FGM/C are:

Type I- Clitoridectomy

Type II- Excision

Type III- Infibulation (this is type is prevalently used in Ethiopia)

Type IV- Other

Consequences of Female circumcision can include: severe pain, infection of uterus and vagina, complication in pregnancy and child birth amongst others (read the full UNICEF report here).

To many feminists, health and human rights organizations (UNICEF, DHS) the use of these basic tools on the bodies of young girls has been perceived as discriminatory as it strips the integrity of the body, negatively impairs sexual function and pleasure and is done to those who cannot be give informed consent.

 

Despite laws, outreach, education programs to prevent FGM/C it is still done as it carries cultural and religious significance.

In  places like Tigray and Addis Ababa Ethiopia, these tools are instrumental in transitioning the young girls into maturity, improving their image as clean, virginal creatures. In addition they're used to prevent sexual promiscuity, teenage pregnancy and helps them with their marriage prospects.

Therefore, the use of a razor upon the bodies of young girls means different things to different people, depending on where they are from. That is why if change is to be sought to prevent this practice it must be done sensitively in order to enact a lasting impact.

Ethiopia's fascination with Lions

An Ethiopian Lion
aka The Black Lion
Named for their distinctive man

Lions are very iconic in Ethiopia because they have always been deeply ingrained in the history, culture and religious beliefs of the Ethiopians. 

If you were to walk through Ethiopia's Capital Addis Abba, there are many Lion Motifs to be seen; for example:

Tikur Anbessa (The Black Lion Hotel)
The Largest General Hospital in Addis Ababa
Named after the Black Lion

The Lion of Judah
Important icon for the Rastafari
&
believers in Judaism and Christianity

Anbessa Bus Service 

The Abyssianian Lion (Ethiopia was formerly called Abyssia)

A closer look of the emblem shown in
the left picture

Why are Lions Important?

1. Characteristics

They are the continuing national symbol of Ethiopia's strength and perseverance, whether it be for their independence or growing economicpower.

One instance of this perseverance is recounted in the story of Emperor Tewodros II (He ruled from 1855-1868) who according to many exhibited a lion's strength, courage and protectiveness of his nation, in refusing to surrender and be taken hostage by the British and instead committed suicide.

Emperor Tewodros II
(Reigned from 1855-1868)

2. Religious Significance

Lions are also important to the Ethiopian religious identity, shown through their reverence of The Lion of Judah- especially the Ethiopian Christians and Rastafarians.

In Judaism the Lion is a symbol of the Tribe of Judah, which is important because their former monarchs are believed to be descendants of King Solomon through their first Emperor Menelik I- linking them to their closer to their faith.

Emperor Haille Selassie I
(Reigned from 1930- 1977

Furthermore, the Rastafari call Emperor Haile Selassie I The Lion of Judah- as they believe he is the reincarnation of Jesus due to his actions during his reign (1930-1974).   

The Lion of Judah
Rastafari symbol of the strength undertaken
to overcome oppression.  

Reduction in Prominence?

Unfortunately the Ethiopian Lion population is dangerously low with around 500 alive in captivity and in the wild.

Also the Lion of Judah is no longer an emblem on the Ethiopian flag and the Black Lion no longer features on Ethiopia's airline.

In conclusion, with the Ethiopian Lion becoming extinct and being less prominent- these could be indicators that Lions could be less of an icon in the future.