Catholic Social Ethics - Ethiopa

Chan/Son 1

James Chan & Michael Son

Fr. A. Fogarty, S.J.

Catholic Social Ethics 5C

12 December 2005

Ethiopia, What a Country

The dictionary states that a third world country is a developing nation in the midst of Africa, Asia, or also Latin America. The country of Ethiopia is described as a third world country due to its great poverty rate. This country has a peculiar land layout and is ranked 16th in the world with its population. Ethiopia is a country with interesting cultural ways and rich with historic events. Unfortunately some factors brought the Ethiopian country to become one of the world’s poorest countries. History of this great nation dates as far back as the 4th century C.E and as time progressed many interesting facts have occurred until the present day. Ethiopia encountered European civilization close to the 15th century where Portuguese missions began in this country. This commenced a series of unwanted battles and unjust rulers. Ethiopia’s environment is another major factor towards the reason to the countries third world status. The inhabitants of Ethiopia are being horrid to its nature by polluting the soil, and destroying

the trees to make more space for their needs. Ignoring many principles of Catholic Social Justice. The economy of Ethiopia is also suffering due to the fact that the country is selling more than spending. Therefore it was practically inevitable that this country claimed the status of being third world.

“Ethiopia is located in the Horn of Africa and is bordered on the north and northeast by Eritrea, on the east by Djibouti and Somalia, on the south by Kenya, and on the west and southwest by Sudan?(See Appendix A ?Figure 4)(Wikipedia, 1). “The country has a high central plateau that varies from 1,800 to 3,000 m (6,000 to 10,000 ft) above sea level, with some mountains reaching 4,620 m (15,158 ft)?(Wikipedia, 1). “Elevation is generally highest just before the point of descent to the Great Rift Valley, which splits the plateau diagonally?(Wikipedia, 1). “A number of rivers cross the plateau -- notably the Blue Nile rising from Lake Tana?(Wikipedia, 1). “The plateau gradually slopes to the lowlands of the Sudan on the west and the Somali-inhabited plains to the southeast?(Wikipedia, 1). “The climate is temperate on the plateau and hot in the lowlands?(Wikipedia, 1). “At Addis Ababa, which ranges from 2,200 to 2,600 m (7,000 to 10,000 ft), maximum temperature is 26 °C (80 °F) and minimum 4 °C (40 °F)?(Wikipedia, 1). “The weather is usually sunny and dry with the short (belg)

rains occurring February-April and the big (meher) rains beginning in mid-June and ending in mid-September?(Wikipedia, 1). Ethiopia is ranked the sixteenth country with the most people in the world, at an estimated 73,053,286 population (Wikipedia, 1).

In Ethiopia, their culture is a bit more extreme then the culture in North America. It is customary to rise up out of their seat or give up their bed for an older friend or family member, even if they may be just a year older then them (Wikipedia, 1). “Ethiopian music is extremely diverse, with each of the country's 80 tribes being associated with unique sounds?(Wikipedia, 1). “Some forms of tribal music are strongly influenced by Muslim and folk music from elsewhere in the Horn of Africa, especially Somalia?(Wikipedia, 1). “However, Ethiopian religious music also has an ancient Christian element, traced to Yared, who lived during the reign of Gabra Masqal?(Wikipedia, 1). “In northeastern Ethiopia, in Wollo, a Muslim musical form called manzuma developed?(Wikipedia, 1). “Sung in Amharic, manzuma has spread to Harar and Jimma, where it is now sung in the Oromo language?(Wikipedia, 1).

“Traditional clothes in Ethiopia are made from traditional cloth called yahager lebse, which is made of cotton woven together in long strips?See Appendix A ?Figure 1) (Wikipedia, 1). “It takes about two to three weeks to make enough cloth for a dress?

(Wikipedia, 1). “Men wear pants and a knee-long shirt with a white collar, and a sweater?(Wikipedia, 1). Dresses for women are called habasha kem, which are usually white with some color on the bottom (Wikipedia, 1). “Bracelets and necklaces from silver and gold are worn on arms and feet to complete the look?(Wikipedia, 1). These clothing are still used everyday in the country-side, but in cities and towns, western clothes are popular; however, some people life to wear their traditional clothing on special occasions, like New Year, Christmas or weddings (Wikipedia, 1).“Often, a woman will cover her head with a shash, a cloth that is tied at the neck? “Shama and kuta, gauze-like white fabrics, are