The Ethnological Museum

While we were in Ethiopia, we took a few trips around town to learn more about our children's heritage. If you are visiting Ethiopia, I recommend this museum if you have a good driver. I have to add this special plug for an incredible driver named Solomon (Muhaba Suleyman). He drives a little blue and white taxi and his telephone number is 0911-56 23 71. Unlike some of the hotel drivers, he loved taking us to new and unusual places and spent a lot of time explaining the customs around Addis. What I really appreciated was the way he made sure that we found our way into the right place and paid the correct fees. He was fun to hang out with.

One day, we went to the Ethnological Museum. This museum is located in Haile Selassie's former palace and surrounded by a university and beautiful gardens. It gives colorful displays of the different cultures in Ethiopia. When we arrived, our driver asked for a guide. He was a college student who worked there and studied history. I loved being able to ask questions when we didn't understand. The stories are all displayed at the museum, but it was much more interesting to have somebody to show us around.

We learned interesting facts - like the reason the Mursi people used large lip and ear plates to discourage the slave traders from taking them away. We also learned about the cow jumping ceremony in Hamar. Each man would jump over eight cows or oxen, four different times, before they were able to marry. It also had the original rooms and clothes of Haile Selassie and his wife, including the original furniture where the assassin tried to take his life. On the top floor was the art gallery and a display of musical instruments used around Ethiopia. Oh - here's another interesting fact we learned. If you see a painting and the eyes are big and facing forward - that is a good person, like Jesus, St. George, or any Ethiopian. If the head is sideways and you only see one small eye - that is a bad person, like the Italians would tried to take over the country.

Here is a picture of Mussolini's steps that in front of the museum. One step for each year Mussolini reigned. Of course, the lion was placed on top as a symbol of the Ethiopian victory.