Religion plays an important part of life in Ethiopia. The Orthodox Church ceremonies are unique and impressive; especially Enkutatash (Ethiopian New Year), Timket (Epiphany) and Meskel (The finding of cross) festivals which provide colorful ceremonies and celebrations.

 People dress in traditional costume mainly made at home with woven cotton and celebrate festivals across the country. Ethiopia has a number of festivals throughout the year, starting with spring.

• The time of the Ethiopian New year, also called Enkutatash or Kidus Yohannes is celebrated on 11 September or ‘Meskerem’ 1. This is also the beginning of the harvest season and end of rainy period, which is a time for parties and weddings.

• Another major religious celebration is Meskel, which falls on 27 or 28 September, celebrated in memory of the finding of the true cross in Mount Tabor by the Empress Heleni. There will be a big bon-fire to be erected in big open-air areas surrounded by group of priests and deacons with colorful costumes, songs and hymens.

The road extending from Addis Ababa to the Southern region is really a paradise for people admiring culture and nature. About 75 Kms. from the capital, the road diverges in to two in the town of Modjo; one to the east and the other to the South. The road heading to the South will take travelers to the famed Omo Valley after passing different spectacular Rift Valley lakes.

The first lake to come cross is Zeway, one of the shallowest lake along the chain of Lakes with a maximum depth of only 4 meters. The lake is prominent in shading the most delicious fish species and hosting five Islands, some of them being historical for having ancient and unique people and others for having monasteries.

The next twin lakes to be seen are Abiyata-Shalla. Both are grounds to admire different aquatic bird life and Shalla is the famous one being the deepest Rift Valley Lake not only in Ethiopia but in Africa north of the equator with 260 meters below seas level. Exactly opposite to the two twin Lakes is Lake Langano, a normally inhabited lake by weekenders of Addis Ababa. Having an out-standing view, it is the only Bilharzias free lake having brown-shiny color.

Ethiopia is a country whose ancient cultures and magnificent landscapes reflect an extraordinary past that has left an indelible mark on the land, the people and their monuments. It has a past that began at the beginning of time- in the very birthplace of mankind.

 Ethiopia is old beyond imagination, dating to the very beginning of mankind. It is also the land of the Queen of Sheba, a place of legendary rulers, fabulous kingdoms and ancient mysteries.

 Ethiopia, the oldest independent nation in Africa, has a heritage dating back to the first century AD. Traders from Greece, Rome, Persia and Egypt knew of the riches of what is now Ethiopia, and by the first century AD, Axum was the capital of a great empire. This realm became one of the first Christian lands of Africa. Late in the 10th Century, Axum declined and a new Zagwe dynasty, centered in what is now Lalibela, ruled the land. Axum, Lalibela Gondar, Bahir Dar and Harer now provide the greatest historical legacy

 Religion has always been a major influence in Ethiopia. Certainly no country in Sub-Saharan Africa can trace its origins as far back. Ethiopia is mentioned thirty-three times in the Bible and many times in Quran. This is the reason why so many visitors retrace the ‘historic route’, drawn by colorful stories and fantastic tales to the land once know as Abyssinia.