Guassa Ethiopia Tours

02/01/2017

ALM TOURS wishes’ everyone a prosperous and magnificent year

20/12/2016

The People of Omo, a place where change unheeded.
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........“If it comes to that, each village will willingly spend its last reserve to make its contestants look fatter”......... “to show their devotion, love and support, female members of his family are whiplashed until they bleed with birch sticks by their male peers”.........

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The Lower Omo Valley is amongst one of the world's most unique places. This is one of the only places in the world where you can still find indigenous people that haven’t been influenced by the outside world; each people have their own customs and often speak very different languages. What they have in common is that they don't want to be invaded or changed by our modern world. They have always been fully self-sufficient. In the dry, hot climate they have developed a system of agriculture depending on the annual floods, which leave a narrow strip of fertile soil along the Omo River. They have lived there for centuries and their livelihood offers a very unique look at different culture and tradition. The Bume, Konso, Gelebe, Bodi, Mursi, Surma, Arbore, the Hamer, and many more tribes live in this part of Ethiopia.
The lifestyles are as varied as the tribes themselves. Lacking any material, culture and artifacts common to other cultures, these tribes find unique ways in which to express their artistic impulses. Both the Surma and the Karo, for example, are experts at body painting, using clay mud and locally available vegetable pigments to trace fantastic patterns on each other's faces, chests, arms, and legs. These designs are created purely for fun and aesthetic effect, each tribesmen competing to outdo his fellows.

The Bodi
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Every year in june, takes place in the deep south of Ethiopia, in the remote area of Omo valley, the celebration of the Bodi tribe new: the Kael is a very deferent New Year celebration than elsewhere in the world. Unlike most of other traditions and popular culture being big and fat is beautiful in the bodi tribe. Once a year, after having been fed for 6 month under a shade of a tree, handsome hulking men from each village will come to compete for being the chubbiest. Though not likely, if it comes to that, each village will willingly spend its last reserve to make its contestants look fatter. The diet for these athletes is a gruesome mixture of blood and milk. Each morning a group of women bring the men fresh milked milk for breakfast. A cow is also arrowed on the carotid artery on its neck and they collect the blood and the man must drink it quickly before it coagulates.
The champion fat man is then feted as a hero for the rest of his life and is respected by his village folk. It’s also a big honor for the village to have your contestant crowned the fattest. At the end of the ceremony a cow is slaughtered and elders recite the content of its stomach to make predictions about the future.

The Hamar
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The Hamar live by raising sheep and farming. They are sedentary and are distinguished from other African tribes by the way they dress colorfully and for being embellished with colorful beads and shells glued to the edges of dresses made of goatskin. They are also recognized for two very important events enshrining fundamental moments in the life of every man in the tribe. These two events, which take place one after the other, are illustrative of a deep culture rooted in their traditions.
Bull Jumping (the jumping of the Bull) is a rite of passage to manhood. The ceremony is usually held after harvest time, July to first half of September. It signifies a time in a boy’s life when he is reformed to manhood. A gallery of Bulls as much as 10 is lined up together and a successful jump means the boy is now a Man. If not though, the boy must wait for the next jumping ceremony in a years’ time. On the other hand, while the boy is jumping the Bulls, to show their devotion, love and support, female members of his family are whiplashed until they bleed with birch sticks by their male peers. These women will let themselves bleed for him. After making three successful attempts, he will go to the Evangadi (night dancing) where he will woo potential girlfriends. His first wife is selected by his family, and he will wait eagerly for her arrival.

The Mursi
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The Mursi are herders. Livestock, mainly cattle, is their most valued possession and also a measure of social status. The herds of cows are tended exclusively by men, who migrate throughout the region in search of the best seasonal pastures. The Mursi are also one of the most famous tribes from the Omo Valley in southern Ethiopia. The main reason for their popularity is the fact that Mursi women were a large clay discs in a slit made in their lower lips. In many ways, the Mursi are a very egalitarian community, and it is the choice of the teenage girls to have their lips pierced, and not something older women or men force upon them.
A girl’s lower lip is cut, by her mother or by another woman of her settlement, when she reaches the age of 15 or 16. The cut is held open by a wooden plug until the wound heals, which can take around 3 months. It appears to be up to the individual girl to decide how far to stretch the lip, by inserting progressively larger plugs over a period of several months. Some, but by no means all, girls persevere until their lips can take plates of 20 cm or more in diameter.
Another popular culture of the Mursi and other tribes around the omo valley is the practice of dowry marriage. When a woman is marrying a man the family of the man gives the woman’s family a lot of cattle as an exchange, often living the family completely insolvent.

The Surma
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They have a fierce culture, with a liking for stick fighting called Donga or Saginay bringing great prestige to men — it is especially important when seeking a bride — and they are very competitive, at the risk of serious injury and occasional death. The males are often shaved bald, and frequently wear little or no clothes, even during stick fights. Though controversial, this is one of the most popular sports among the Surma people which is a symbol for status and means of courtship. Not only does it test men’s competitive zeal, but it also serves as a forum through which winners can meet potential wives. Donga stick fights also take place after the harvests. Stark naked, with no or minimum safety, Men, Black fierce looking men, lash each other with long twigs till blood bores from their body. Donga fights attract the most beautiful girls of the area, hoping to be chosen by the champions. The purpose is not to get married but to flirt. Young women wear necklaces around the neck that give to the winners.

At a young age, to beautify them for marriage, most women have their bottom teeth removed and their bottom lips pierced like their mursi counterparts. Some women have stretched their lips so as to allow plates up to sixteen inches in diameter. In Surma culture, scarification is also considered an important sign of beauty Exposed to other cultures, a growing number of girls now refrain from this practice.

Surma children are sometimes painted with white clay paint, which may be dotted on the face or body. They are also usually ceremoniously adored with flower and beautiful plants.

The Arbore
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Arbore means the Land Of Bulls. As their name signifies, wealth is measured by the number of cattle an indigenous man owns. An Arbore man usually selects the biggest heifer amongst the cows and embellishes it with decorations and paintings. This cow is revered by family and villagers, the owner will stake his own life to protect this cow. Rituals associated with marriage are extremely important for Arbore. Usually as soon as the boy reaches the age of marriage his father chooses a bride for him and four village elders are sent to the parents of the chosen one, bringing fat of a specially slaughtered sheep. If the gift is accepted, bride's parents smear the fat on their shoulders and the family sets the date for the wedding.

Arbore women cover their heads with a black cloth. They also wear earrings, many multi-colored beaded necklaces and goatskin skirts. The girls shave their heads to indicate virginity and grow their hair out after marriage. After marriage a woman gets a new name – preferably the name of the beloved cattle of her new husband. Young Arbore children wear a shell type hat that protects their heads from the sun. Body painting is done by the Arbore using natural colors made from soil and stone.
We believe that Adventure, Discovery and Grandeur are best felt under the sunlit Ethiopian sky. Therefore, our motto is conceived out of this believe. Contact us for our regular journeys encompassing these indigenous Ethiopian tribes.

ALM Tours, Best under the Ethiopian Sky !


@ The majority of the pictures are courtesy of Jimmy Nelson.

20/12/2016

The Ant overlords of Ethiopia

This might sound like a bad Sify Movie title but this is the latest biodiversity news in Ethiopia. Sheltered in the ancient church forests of Ethiopia, Researchers from North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences have made a discovery of a new Ant super colony formation. One of these formations could even span for a whopping 35 km radios. According to the researchers, passage of these ants to a new country in any way could pose hazard to biodiversity.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/11/161122122339.htm

A team of scientists conducting a recent biodiversity survey in the ancient church forests of Ethiopia made an unexpected discovery -- a rather infamous ant species (Lepisiota canescens) displaying signs of supercolony formation. The discovery is significant for two reasons. First, supercol...

09/12/2016

Latest research on a jaw fragment shades light to the actual age of the specimens.
http://www.ebc.et/web/ennews/-/a-1-7-million-year-old-ethiopian-jaw-fragment-with-teeth-of-a-child-latest-research

08/12/2016

Unequivocally devoted and duty bound to Ethiopian Heirloom


Ledet or Genna (Christmas)

Ledet (Christmas) falls on December 29 (January 7 Gregorian calendar). Ledet is celebrated after a 43 days fasting known as Tsome Gahad (Advent). The festivities begin early in the day, as early as 6:00am and lasts until 9 AM when people gather in churches for mass prayers. After the mass service at the churches, people go home to break the fast. Usually traditional poultry or dairy cousins will be served with injera and traditional drinks (i.e. tella or tej). Christmas is eagerly awaited and celebrated among friends and family. Gift giving is a very small part of Christmas festivities in Ethiopia. Only small gifts are exchanged amongst family and friends at home. But one gift most eagerly awaited by all children is a new outfit that they wear with pride on Christmas day.

Christmas is a well anticipated and wildly celebrated holiday in Ethiopia. Especially the celebration of Genna in Lalibela is unlike no other in the country. Tourists from all parts of the world, Pilgrims from all corners of the country accompanied by elaborately dressed Deacons and priests flock to the 11 UNESCO World Heritage churches.

ALM Tours will take you to the all night ceremony at one of the churches; Bet Maryam (Church of the Virgin Mary) in Lalibela. To experience this glorious celebration, please contact us for our 5 days and 4 nights (January, 5,6,7,8,9) Christmas trip and for your custom tour needs. You can also book our regular tours packages of Ethiopia encompassing Lalibela during the celebration or in any time of convenience.

Best under the Ethiopian sky, with ALM Tours!

30/11/2016

Feeding Hyenas in Harar

At least for the past 500 years, written records indicate that spotted Hyenas have been present in the walled Ethiopian city of Harar, where they sanitize the city by feeding on its organic refuse. However, the practice of regularly feeding them did not begin until the 1960s. Remarkably, if you hear one wholeheartedly say ‘I have fed Hyenas using my mouth’ you would probably assume ones sanity.

To see a swarm of huge Hyenas cowering around you to eat a piece of meat hanging from your mouth, is the most startling yet trilling experience ever. Most people would be absolutely mortified to do this but it is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Ethiopia. At two different locations in Harar, you are able to feed wild Hyenas every single night. You will be accompanied by a person called Hyena Man who is responsible for petting the Hyenas. Next to Mecca, Medina and Jerusalem the city of Harar is also the 4th most holy city for Muslims.

Harar also produces one of the best types of coffee in the world. In recognition of its cultural and historical importance, the Harar Jugol wall which confined the city was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List of 2006. Harar was also home to the famous French Poet Jean Nicolas Arthur Rimbaud (1854-1891) who resided in the city in 1880. Thought much of it its history, the city of harar was a major commercial center, linked by the trade routes coming from the rest of Ethiopia, the entire Horn of Africa, and the Arabian Peninsula.

While staying in this primordial city, it is also common to see Households adorned by a beautiful hand crafted straw plate called Allela Mudai which is given to women as a dowry and gift during marriage. Besides the chance to feed Hyenas, visitors to Harar gets a chance to see magnificent coffee plantations, museums, mosques, tombs and a chance to sample Arabian influenced traditional food.

A visit to Harar may also include Awash National Park, Babile Elephant Sanctuary, Mount Kondudo, the Gursum Pearl Cave and Prison House of Lij Eyasu. The city is now part of our Ethiopia Eastern Tourism Circuit and for our regular packages designed to Harar, please Contact us.

     

24/11/2016

Why you should come to Ethiopia in Mid-January

Timket; Color, Perspective and A long standing Tradition

A country situated in East Africa, a country of polarized extremes, a country glittered with living color, tradition, culture and over three thousand years of accounted history. Ethiopia is truly a land yet to be discovered, brilliant and beautiful, enigmatic and extraordinary. A chance visit to Ethiopia is like going in to a folktale passage filled with adventures. Ethiopia is not only the location of the biblical kingdom of Sheba; it currently shelters the Ark of the Covenant. The country was the gateway for two of the world’s prominent religions to Africa. Arguably, it is also the first country in the world to accept the Christian faith thus making it the world’s oldest Christian nation.

The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahdo Church traces its origins to the forth c.AD. Acts 8:26-40 on the bible also describes of the Evangelist Philip’s baptism of an Ethiopian Eunice. ‘A famous painting by Rembrandt depicting The Baptism of the Eu**ch is housed at Museum Catharijneconvent in the Netherlands’. However, for many centuries, Ethiopian rich tradition and culture have been curtained from outside cognizance; therefore, the people were able to keep their heirloom intact. Among the widely celebrated and genuine Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahdo Church festivities, Timket (Ethiopian Epiphany) is the largest.

Every January, throughout the country, Timket is celebrated in commemoration of Jesus’s baptism by John the Baptist in the river Jordan. The three-day affair starts (as it will later end) with ceremonies at all churches around the country. The eve of timket is called Ketera (18th January). This is when the Tabots (replicas of the Ark of Covenant) of each church are carried out in great pump to a stream or pool of water. On the day of ketera, like a river’s tributaries, Colorful parades of choirs, ensembles of deacons carrying beautiful processional crosses, and priests in flamboyant apparels, flock to the celebration accompanied by the entire population.

With the tabot concealed in more layers of fabric high atop his head, each church’s high priest is seen swathed in colorful robes. In contrast to the priests’ colorful vestment and spectacularly embroidered umbrellas, most Ethiopians will be draped in various layers of white with the usual threads of color accent. With their prayer sticks, sitars and beating of drums, while demonstrating a heavenly pulsating rave, orders of choirs and priests parade the tabot. To see this spectacle for the first time is truly a majestic experience and will make your heart skips a beat.

On top of their lovely hand weaved traditional dress, girls and older women wear a delicate cotton white scarf called Netela. The netela even with a splash of color and pattern along the ends, it turns the streets to a sea of white. However, to give more color to the celebration, horsemen adorned with a lion’s coat armor and head ware made up of a baboon’s mane parade along the sides of the road. To a watchful eye these horsemen looks like a part of an ancient cavalry.

The gratifying aroma of the churches incense from quivering incense burners fills the streets. A rapture of ululation and claps of spectators also gives complements to the whole procession. Laying-down of green grass which the priests will step as they carry the tabots is promptly done by matriarchs of villages. Older women and nuns also cut straight through the crowed dashing people with perfume. As this huddle moves a few steps forward, kids shuffle to take the trampled layer of green grass. For a household which the grass is placed up on, it is believed that the grass is a source of great blessings to come. Every neighborhood which the tabote graces with its presence is seen filled with generous spontaneity of smiles and a high level of vibration.

Women and children joyously lead or follow the spectacle. The elderly and reverential leaders of the society follow the steps of the clerics carrying the tabot. However, Young men with vigor roll up a recently trodden rug and prepare to dash with it to the front of the procession, to lay it down again. Under a bright sun, sweating from exhaustion, tag teams of rug-rollers hustle back-and-forth ceaselessly and enthusiastically.

Up on arrival to the stream or pool of water, a special tent is setup for each tabot. On the next day's celebration will take place here. The priests and many celebrants will spend the night in vigil, gathered by small fires as they await the apex of the celebration the next day. When sunbreaks the next morning (19th January), the celebration will ensue. While beating staffs, drums and prayer sitars, the priests will execute a ceremonial dance recalling the ancient rites from the bible. As members of the churches choir sang memorizing songs, the tabot is then immersed into the water. Many of the faithful are then sprinkled with the sanctified water.

After the baptism, with greater eruption and prompt, Yet again accompanied by singing youngsters, leaping priests, horsemen and solemnly marching elders, the tabots of each church, except St. Michael's church, start their way back to their respective church. The next day, 20 Jan, is the feast of Michael the Archangel, Ethiopia's most popular saint. And it is only on this morning that the tabot of St. Michael’s is returned to its church.

"If you want to be moved by mankind, moved by religion, come here, if you're not moved to tears by the devotion, spirituality and kindness of these people, nothing will move you. It truly is a remarkable experience." Many attest that the whole timket ceremony resembles that of the Israelites Arc of The Covenant parade during biblical times (11 Sam.Chap.6). Preparations are well underway to recognize Timket or Ethiopian Epiphany as UNESCOs Intangible World Cultural Heritage.

Many consider the city Gondar to host the best experience. Its 17th-century pool, surrounding one of the city’s many historical palaces, holds just the right amount of spectacle and history. Visitors to Lalibela each year in this time can also witness this magnificent celebration in all its glory and grandeur. timket is also celebrated with equal, if not, in higher regard in the capital Addis Ababa as well.

As they say in Ethiopia Letimket yalkhone Kemiss yibetates (it simply means ‘wear your finest ceremonial dress to timket even if it’s torn to pieces by the celebration’)This January, ALM Tours is expecting you and your loved ones with great preparation, attractive offers and a package that will put you in the center of the celebration.

18/11/2016

Two days ago, an article on BBC featured the renowned photographer Tariq Zaidi's account of Lalibela "If you want to be moved by mankind, moved by religion, go there, If you're not moved to tears by the devotion, spirituality and kindness of these people, nothing will move you. It truly is a remarkable experience."
 See you in Ethiopia in mid-April for the Genna (or Ledet) celebration !!



http://edition.cnn.com/2016/11/16/travel/lalibela-ethiopia-genna-tariq-zaidi/

From all corners of a nation they come, often walking for hundreds of miles barefoot: Ethiopian Orthodox Christians on a once-in-a-lifetime journey.

14/11/2016

A Spoiler from Our Historic Circuit

Axum, A window to an Ethiopian Past.

Situated in the highlands of northern Ethiopia, Axum symbolizes the wealth and importance of the civilization of the ancient Axsumite kingdom, which lasted from the 1st to the 8th centuries AD. The kingdom was at the crossroads of the three continents: Africa, Arabia and the Greco-Roman World, and was the most powerful state between the Eastern Roman Empire and Persia. Its fleets controlled the Red Sea trade through the port of Adulis and the inland routes of north eastern Africa and Arabia. The civilization facilitated trade between this routs by minting its own Axumite currency.

The city Axum is now a renowned historical tourist destination in the world. The ruins of the ancient Axsumite Civilization which were believed to have been built somewhere around the 4th century AD, covers a wide area in the Tigray Plateau containing more than 120 stelaes made of smooth, grey stone. The largest obelisk (108 feet long) has fallen and lies shattered across the ground. However, the tallest upright obelisk stands at 82 feet in height, It is the one recently returned from Rome which was taken following the brief Italian envision of Ethiopia in 1936.

Axum is one of the most illustrious links in our Historic Route and it is also home to the Stele of King Ezana. A carving declaration on Ezana’s stele may refer to the fact that he was the first king to convert to Christianity in 300 AD. The other fallen Axum Stele, almost 9m long, bares a design which is believed to be the earliest-ever representing image of the Ark of the Covenant in Ethiopia.

Axum is also home to the resting place of the Ark of the Covenant, brought forth by Queen of Sheba's and king Solomon’s son visit to Jerusalem. After the Queen journeyed to Jerusalem in 10th century B.C The Queen bore a child, Menelik I, from whom the entire imperial dynasty of Ethiopia is said to have been descended. When Menelik was 20, in 950 B.C., he went to Jerusalem to meet his father and when he returned to Ethiopia, secretly brought the Ark of the Covenant with him.

Other Churches and monasteries in Axum are richly endowed with icons, and some of the historical crowns of ancient Emperors. However, the ark is now resting near the treasury of Church of Our Lady Mary of Zion in Axum. Replicas of the ark are also kept in every Ethiopian church. Except an order of anointed solitary monks who must attend to the Ark in succession for the remainder of their life, no one has been allowed to see this celestial object. Having the chance to see this magnificent historic city is like looking through a window to the past.

For more Information, Inquiries and Booking please contact us!

14/11/2016

About Us

Ethiopia is a fascinating country with a rich cultural, natural and historical heritage. Our history dates back to the dawn of mankind. For more than 700 years, the Axumite Empire has ruled and dominated the Horn of Africa and Arabia. It was also one of the most prominent civilizations of its time. Fossilized human remains more than 3 million years old have been discovered in Ethiopia. Our country boasts one of the oldest Christian civilizations; arguably, it is also the first nation in the world to accept the Christian faith. Ethiopia is one of only two nations in the world never to have been occupied by an outside force. Coffee, the sensation of the world was first discovered here.

Ethiopia is also the only country in Africa with its own calendar, alphabet and numerals. It is a country mentioned 40 times in the Bible and it is one of the few countries mentioned in the Koran, Homer’s Odyssey, and on a host of many other ancient books. Ethiopia is Home to the mighty Blue Nile River, Which the great historian Herodotus described as the building grit of Egypt. Ranging from the beautiful Simien Mountain highlands which upsurge to more than 4000m above sea level, to the searing heat of the Danakil Depression which is the lowest and hottest point on dry land, Ethiopia’s landscape is marvelous and diverse.

Having the chance to appreciate Ethiopia's collection of national parks, historic sites, and cultural splendors with us, is a chance not to be missed lightly. Such places like the city of Axum, the Lalibela rock-hewn churches, Soff `Umer’s Cave, and the city of Gondar also known as the Camelot of Africa are destinations of true majesty. Therefore, our motto BEST UNDER THE ETHIOPIAN SKY is conceived out of our strong believe that Adventure, Discovery and Grandeur are best felt under the sunlit Ethiopian sky.

Our company ALM tours, having structured itself by a staff of a well experienced multilingual tour guides, is a newly established tour organizing company. For our clients to gain the ultimate satisfaction during their stay, we pride-ourselves on giving those experiences of a lifetime. To deliver a memorable service to our customers, the first priorities we take into consideration during our operations are your safety and luxury. Our employee’s expertise and the quality of the services we render are fashioned to exceed your expectations. Therefore, to make your experiences a worthwhile one, we throw ourselves over the bar.

As a stakeholder of the Ethiopian Tourism Industry, we always strive for the development of the tourism industry and do contribute our part in promoting it also. Above all, we assure our clients that they will have good tokens imprinted in their memory and that they will take the realization of their holiday as a key to promote our company.