Other Considerations
Author
Nina Evason,
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- Ethiopia has its own calendar, which is approximately seven years and three months behind the Gregorian calendar used in Western countries. The Ethiopian Year starts on September 11th. See Dates of Significance for more information on calendar dates.
- Ethiopia has a unique timekeeping system that can be perplexing for those unfamiliar with it. Unlike the international system that uses midday and midnight (AM/PM) as reference points, the Ethiopian clock system uses sunrise and sunset as its axis. These conventions divide the day into two 12-hour cycles, one from dawn to dusk and the other from dusk to dawn. The first hour of the day (1:00 Ethiopian time) corresponds to 7:00 AM East Africa Time (EAT). See Dates of Significance for more information on cultural timekeeping.
- Most Muslim Ethiopian women wear a long, loose, robe-like dress called an , that covers the body from head to ankle. The abaya is often worn with a آ (headscarf) or, sometimes, aآ (face veil).
- Female circumcision, or female genital mutilation (FGM), remains a traditional practice in some regions of Ethiopia, where it is frequently performed in infancy. Ethiopian communities rarely continue the practice after migration, particularly in countries with strict legal penalties. However, some families may still arrange for girls to return to Ethiopia to undergo the procedure.
- Ethiopian migrants may be hesitant to openly criticise the Ethiopian government and self-censor their political opinions due to fear of potential repercussions. Ethiopian authorities have extensive intelligence and surveillance capabilities and are known to monitor those who express anti-government sentiment and political dissent, including among overseas diaspora communities.1 Public criticism of the government (in other countries or online) can result in reprisals against the individual, and may also target any family members remaining in Ethiopia.
- In Ethiopia, strong views on religious morality and social conservatism are common, particularly regarding homosexuality. Same-sex relations are illegal and opposed by approximately 97% of the population.2
- Be mindful to use only the current version of the Ethiopian flag, which features the central emblem. Displaying older or altered versions of the flag without the emblem is prohibited. Misuse of the national flag may be seen as disrespectful and offensive to some people.