Religion

Religion in Ethiopia is very interesting. The dominant religion is Orthodox (approx 59% i gather), to which until now I had had very little exposure. Fasting happens every Wednesday and Friday, but unlike Islam which actually means no eating, this involves eating no meat or dairy products (which means fish is ok, because they grow on trees obviously). Currently we are entering the 2 month fasting period before Fasika (Easter) and no food or water can be consumed before 12.30pm. Also sex is forbidden which makes me wonder if anybody’s birthday is in November or December.

Muslims are generally how I imagined they would be (Insh’Allah and Selam Aleikum included), and Protestants never smoke, drink or chew Khat as it is forbidden.

The interesting thing is that despite very strict adherence to doctrines which promote what I would consider backward thinking (homophobia, gender inequality, etc.) there is a remarkable flexibility between religions. Whereas in England religious groups are currently squabbling over the writing on the sides of buses, here nobody bats an eyelid if a Muslim and Orthodox marry and then one of them (male OR female) changes religion to match their partner. This is not obligatory, but a choice that can or cannot be taken. Faith it seems transcends factions which is very admirable.

In Alaba where I have recently been working, the population is 99% Muslim. However this does not prevent meat from being very nearly impossible to find because of Fasika. The boundaries between the different groups are blurred not beyond recognition, but beyond tensions which is extremely refreshing.

I don’t know about any tensions between Muslims and Falashas (Jews), but I have not heard of any. It seems Ethiopians have achieved a critical realisation that is severely lacking in the West and the Middle East: If you worship a monotheistic God then you’re probably worshipping the same one so just leave each other alone.

On the other hand, ethnic tensions are definitely present. So now they just need another realisation: You all come from the same planet so, ….