Meeting a Guide As I stood there bewildered, an elderly local guide approached me with a friendly greeting. He claimed to know Merkato well and spoke some English. Surprisingly, he offered to guide me through the market for free, saying he had time to spare. Despite the suspicious circumstances, I didn’t want to abandon my […]
Khat: Ethiopia’s Traditional Social Plant – A Cultural Perspective from Harar IMPORTANT NOTICE: This article is for educational and cultural understanding purposes only. It does not promote or encourage the use of controlled substances. Khat is illegal in many countries, including most Western nations and Japan. Ethiopia regulates khat production and sales to prevent misuse.
Experiencing a Traditional Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony in Harar Ethiopia, the birthplace of coffee, holds a special place in coffee culture worldwide. The ancient city of Harar, located about 500km east of the capital Addis Ababa, is famous for its wild coffee plants. During my visit, I had the fortunate opportunity to experience a traditional “coffee
Ethiopia, located in East Africa, is known for its rich natural heritage and historical sites, including UNESCO World Heritage sites like Lalibela and Axum. Among its unique experiences, there’s a remarkable opportunity to feed wild hyenas in the city of Harar, situated in eastern Ethiopia. Harar is renowned as a significant Islamic city, with its
In this article, following up on our previous piece, we’ll introduce another local Ethiopian liquor. This time, we’re focusing on “Tej” (ጠጅ), a famous Ethiopian honey wine. Unlike “Tella,” which we covered in the last article, Tej is more mainstream and easier for tourists to find. During my exploration of Addis Ababa, I had the
When people think of Ethiopia, the Danakil Desert and Harar Coffee often come to mind. However, if you’re visiting Ethiopia, you shouldn’t miss out on experiencing the country’s hidden culinary gems. Personally, I believe that trying local street food and beverages is an essential part of any travel experience. In this article, I’ll introduce you