| November
2003 -- Eritreans and Ethiopians The following information on Eritrean and Ethiopian cultures are from the CIA World Factbook (2003), U.S. State Department Bureau of African Affairs (2003), WHO Countries (2003), and the 2003 US Committee for Refugees Country Reports. |
 EthiopiaLocated in the horn of Africa, Ethiopia is the oldest country in Africa and politically, one of the oldest in the world. Ethiopia comprises an area of 472,000 square miles (the combined size of Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico). Ethiopia is bordered by Djibouti, Eritrea, Kenya, Somalia, and Sudan. The current government adopted a constitution in 1994 and Ethiopia's first multiparty elections were held in 1995. Ethiopia's population is highly diverse culturally. Most Ethiopians speak a Semitic or Cushitic language. Culturally, the Oromo, Amhara, and Tigreans represent more than three-fourths of the population, but there are more than 80 different ethnic groups within the country. Some ethnic groups have as few as 10,000 members. Ethiopia's major religions are Muslim and Ethiopian Orthodox Christian - each religion includes about 45% of the population. Other religions in Ethiopia include Christian Protestant, Animist and others. In general, most of the Christians live in the highlands, and Muslim and other religions live in the lowlands. Quick Facts on Ethiopia • Population is estimated at 64,500,000 • Amharic is the official language, though Tigrinya, Arabic, Guaragigna, Oromigna, English and Somali are also spoken • Attending school is not compulsory for children; approximately 46% of the population has attended an elementary school • Literacy rate is 35.5% • The economy is 80% agricultural and 20% industry and commerce • The climate is temperate on the plateau and hot in the lowlands • Per capita income is $110 per year • Birth rate is 39.81 births per 1,000 • Child mortality male/female is 185/170 per 1,000 • Adult mortality male/female is 484/420 per 1,000 • Life expectancy at birth male/female is 46.8/49.2 years  EritreaEritrea is one of Africa's newest countries. (As a reference, Eritrea is about the size of the US State of Pennsylvania.) Bordered by the Red Sea, Sudan, Ethiopia, and Djibouti, Eritrea's population comprises nine ethnic groups, many of whom speak Semitic or Cushitic languages. The Tigrinya and Tigre ethnic groups constitute four-fifths of the population and speak a version of the Semitic language. Languages spoken by Eritreans include Afar, Amharic, Arabic, Kunama and others. Fifty percent of the population holds Christian religious beliefs, and most of this 50% are Orthodox Christians. Almost half of the population (48%) follows Islam, and the remaining 2% of the population follow other religious beliefs. Christians generally live in the highlands, and persons who are Muslim or have other beliefs live in the lowlands. Quick Facts on Eritrea • Population is estimated at 3,815,000 • Tigrinya and Arabic are the most frequently spoken languages in commerce and politics • English is widely spoken • Attending school is not compulsory; approximately 57% of the population has received elementary education, and 21% of the population has received secondary education • Literacy rate is 58.6% • The economy is 80% agricultural and 20% industry and commerce • The climate is hot and dry along the Red Sea coast, and cool and wet in the central highlands • Per capita income is less than $200 per year • Birth rate is 39.44 births per 1,000 • Child mortality is male/female 123/107 per 1,000 • Adult mortality male/female is 440/383 per 1,000 • Life expectancy at birth male/female 52.3/55.0 years Political History of Ethiopia and Eritrea Ethiopia and Eritrea are geographic neighbors. Ethiopia once owned the land now known as Eritrea. Ethiopia and Eritrea were in a civil war for some time, and in 2000 the two countries signed a peace agreement. However, the relationship between the two countries remains tense. Ethiopia's borders with Sudan and Somalia are also tense. During 1974-1991, hundreds of thousands Ethiopian refugees fled their country due to war and famine. During the past decade an estimated 800,000 Ethiopians have voluntarily repatriated from countries they fled to such as Djibouti, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan and others. Ethiopia with the help of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees now hosts refugees from Somali, Sudan and Eritrea. At the end of 2002, nearly 300,000 Eritreans were refugees. About 280,000 Eritreans were in Sudan and the remaining 20,000 in Ethiopia and Yemen. Approximately 75,000 were internally displaced. Eritrea has hosted some 3,000 refugees from Somalia and Sudan. Cultural Characteristics of Ethiopians and Eritreans Ethiopians and Eritreans are people of the same cultural group. Both countries are multi-ethnic, multi-religious nations with many different political factions and considerable regional variation. Compared with other immigrant groups, the Ethiopian and Eritrean community in the U.S. is relatively new and small. Most Ethiopian/Eritrean refugees are from an urban background and live in major metropolitan U.S. cities. Eritreans and Ethiopians believe in being respectful to elders and authority figures. In general, they make little eye contact, but this characteristic may vary depending on the age of the person, and the length of time spent in the U.S. Generally, Ethiopians and Eritreans are soft-spoken, non-confrontational, very shy, polite and reserved. Culturally, tardiness is acceptable in social and business settings. They strongly believe in the notion of destiny and in God's power to influence events, especially health. Touching is considered a healing activity. Therefore, touching and caressing face and hands of the sick is acceptable. Kissing on cheeks and hugging is accepted among family and friends, and hugging between men is common. Handshakes are commonly done with unfamiliar people. Eritreans and Ethiopians do not offer personal information readily, and this is especially pronounced in a first encounter with a stranger. So, as clinicians, it is important to reassure confidentiality to clients who are Ethiopian or Eritrean. Family members work as a unit with the father or oldest son with the lead role. In the U.S., the most acculturated family member usually becomes the spokesperson for his/her family. Maintaining an extended family is important. Women are the major caregivers. Food The usual mode of eating Ethiopian/Eritrean food is with fingers, though silverware is used for other food. They usually prefer their food very spicy. Legumes are an important part of their diet. They prefer drinks at room temperature. Coptic Orthodox Christians and Moslems strictly observe religious taboos that forbid eating meat of wild animal, wild foul, snakes, pigs, dogs, horses and shellfish. Coptic Christians do not eat meat or dairy for 200 days each year. Health Beliefs Ethiopians/ Eritreans have two broad etiological theories of disease: naturalistic and magico-religious. Health is defined as a state of equilibrium among physiological, spiritual, cosmological, ecological and social forces surrounding humans. Well-being is secured through a peaceful relationship with the supernatural world. Men and women are very modest, and close attention is paid to hygiene and smelling good. (Health screenings do not pose problems, however modesty issues may arise.) Family members may assist older people in hygiene. In personality, they are often stoic and have a high pain threshold. It may be necessary to reaffirm the significance of revealing medical symptoms. Traditionally, pregnancy is considered a dangerous state and much attention is given to the expectant mother. Childbirth is considered a joyful event. Mothers usually breastfeed their baby after they are born, and there aren't any stigmas associated with breastfeeding in public. New mothers are expected to be with their baby all day, and female family members assist the new mother in bathing and caring for the baby. Among Christians, male circumcision is usually done eight days after birth. Female circumcision and clitoridectomy are practiced throughout Ethiopia and Eritrea. These traditions vary depending on regional, rural and urban characteristics, as well as the religion and level of parental education. Among Christians, the excision of the prepuce is usually performed seven days after birth. It is not perceived as an initiation or a rite of passage, but rather, it is carried out almost before the child is given an identity. Infibulation is practiced among some Muslims, and this practice may vary from family to family with education. Top |
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