Preparation
The most complicated part for the preparation of my interview was to choose a country that I wanted to write about. The diversity SCSU has, really got me confused as there were many countries and too many options to choose from. However, after a series of thought I decided to research and write about Ethiopia as I did not know much about this wonderful country and the interview would give me the opportunity to explore the magic and the diversity the country had to offer. The first person that came in my mind when I wanted to work on Ethiopia was Mikiyas Belay (Micky) who is a very good friend of mine. I thought his insights and knowledge would clearly help me take this assignment on an easy path. So, without any hesitation, I called Micky and asked him if he would like to help me with the interview. And no surprise, he was more than happy to do it! We decided to meet the same day on the fourth floor of Centennial Hall and conduct the interview. The quiet lounge in Centennial Hall was for sure going to be the perfect host for the interview. So, I researched a little bit more about Ethiopia, printed off 2 copies of my questions, carried my extra phone as my audio recorder and headed to Centennial Hall for the interview. I took a bottle of soda as a small bribe for Micky and after a little bit of catching up, we started the interview!
Personal Review
I think the overall interview with Micky went pretty well. At no point during my interview process did I ever feel that I was interviewing him… except for when I had to look at my phone to ensure that it was still recording! The interview was done more in a casual manner and since we knew each other really well, we were both able to open up and present our ideas better. I think Micky did a tremendous job in introducing Ethiopia to me; I really have to thank him for his contributions here. Apart from that, the quiet lounge in the fourth floor of Centennial Hall was the perfect place to conduct my interview as there was not even a single person to distract us during the whole process and I would like to continue doing my interviews in quiet areas like this.
However, there were times when I felt that my questions were not structured enough and the transition from one question to other was not as smooth as they could have been. So, the next time I interview, I am for sure, going to move the questions in a logical manner. I would also try to add more questions in my questionnaire as I did feel that I could ask Micky some more questions even after I was done with the questions in my list. So, all in all, this interview was a good platform for a first time interviewer like me to learn and do better for my next interviews.
Having been to many events the Ethiopian Student Association (ESA) does on campus to promote Ethiopia and the culture, I would say that I did have a rough idea of what Ethiopian culture looks like. I am a great admirer of Ethiopian cuisine and the exotic Ethiopian dances. However, I cannot deny on how much this interview has helped me understand Ethiopian culture and learn more about Ethiopia.
Ethiopia, one of the largest and most populous landlocked countries in the world lies in the northern region of the continent of Africa. Sharing its boundaries with Eritrea, Sudan and South Sudan, Djibouti, Somalia and Kenya; Ethiopia is a world in its own and a very diverse country in terms of culture and nature [1].
Having been to many events the Ethiopian Student Association (ESA) does on campus to promote Ethiopia and the culture, I would say that I did have a rough idea of what Ethiopian culture looks like. I am a great admirer of Ethiopian cuisine and the exotic Ethiopian dances. However, I cannot deny on how much this interview has helped me understand Ethiopian culture and learn more about Ethiopia.
Country Report
A federal democratic republic by governance, Ethiopia boasts some of the most delightful achievements in human history and has some of the most amazing places in the planet. It is considered as the birthplace of humans as it has one of the oldest sites of human existence [2]. It has the world’s hottest place, Afar and is one of the first regions in the world to adopt Christianity as state religion [3]. Not only that, the country is home to 80 different ethnic groups who speak more than 70 different languages [4]. It is also the top coffee and honey producing country in Africa and has one of the largest numbers of rivers in the world [1]. Backed up by its long history and rich culture, Ethiopia has the most number of UNESCO sites in Africa [3].
Ethiopia has some of the highest mountains in Africa and also some of the lowest points in the world. This variation in geography has given rise to a wide spectrum of land forms which makes Ethiopia one of the most beautiful countries in the world. Mostly inhabited by the Oromo and the Amhara people, Ethiopia exemplifies religious tolerance as many people with different religious beliefs live in peace and harmony here. Three forms of Christianity: Orthodox, Catholic and Protestant are followed which account for almost 65% of the population. More than 34% of the population is Muslim and the remaining 1% follows other tribal religions [4]. The society is pretty much shaped by the tradition and culture and like many eastern societies, has a lot of respect for the elderly and the seniors. Religion and culture is the way of life in Ethiopia. Each day is considered a festival or a sacred day and is named after angels [4]. Some of the most important festivals include the traditional Ethiopian New Year, Easter, Christmas and Eid. Food is also an inseparable part of Ethiopian culture. The cuisine consists of variety of vegetables or meat, served on traditional bread called Injera which is made from Teff and yeast [4]. Marka, Chukko, Dhanga and Kitfo (raw beef) are some of the popular dishes in Ethiopia [2].
Ethiopia has seen a lot of ups and downs in its history and significant changes have occurred in its political system in recent years. Tangled in many political problems and some of the worst draughts during the 1980’s, the economy of Ethiopia went plummeting down and hit the lowest during the 90s [1]. However, it soon bounced back and at present is the fast growing economy in East Africa. Today, Ethiopia stands proud as one of the most diverse nations in the world and home to some of the world’s best marathon runners and athletes!
Works Cited
[1] "CIA - The World Factbook-Ethiopia." Central Intelligence Agency-Ethiopia. Web. 25 Oct. 2011. <https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/et.html>.
[2] "BBC News - Ethiopia Profile." BBC - Homepage. Web. 25 Oct. 2011. <http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-13349398>.
[3] "Ethiopian Tourism." Ethiopian Tourism. Web. 25 Oct. 2011. <http://www.tourismethiopia.org/pages/ethiopia.asp>.
[4] “Mikiyas Belay- Insights”, From the interview with Mikiyas belay on 10/25/2011
The Interview
Interviewer: Puspak Sapkota
Interviewee: Mikiyas Fitawok Belay
Location: Centennial Hall, SCSU
8:30 pm (10/25/2011)
P-Puspak M-Micky
P- What’s your name?
M- My name is Mikiyas Belay.
P- And where are you from Mikiyas?
M- I am from Adis Ababa, Ethiopia.
P-And where exactly is Adis Ababa?
M- Well, Adis Ababa is the capital city and is located in the central part of the country.
P-How would you introduce Ethiopia to somebody who has never heard of it?
M-(chuckles) I would start with the diversity Ethiopia has to offer. It’s rich in terms of geography and culture. Ethiopia is the origin spot of human beings. One can find people as light as Caucasian and as dark as… (Laughs). It’s a blend of various people and ya… I would not forget about the rich history.
P- So, you came to the US to study… What differences are there between the education system between the US and Ethiopia?
M- We use British system of education till high school. You go to regular school till Grade 10. Then you take exams similar to ACTs. If you pass your tests, grade 11 and 12 are preparatory for your college. Grade 11 and 12 are more like community colleges here. You finish your general classes there and then you go to the university. The university, however, follows the American system and is totally different from K-12.
P- How many years of college are there then?
M- Depends on your major! Most of the courses are three years as there are no general classes.
P-So is it based on credits or do you have a fixed set of classes to take?
M- The school assigns how many credits you take each semester. The minimum you can take in college is 14 and the maximum is 25. Most of the medical students take 25. Since I was a medical student myself, I used to take like 21 to 25 credits each semester.
P- So, if you take 25 credits, how many years does it take to graduate?
M- Oh…It varies. Medical school is 5 years. Engineering is 4 years and others are 3 years.
P- Okay. Let’s skip education for now. Let’s talk about your family. How many members are there in your family?
M-We have a kind of nuclear family! I have 3 brothers, a sister, my parents and a couple of servants. (laughs again). And then there is my grandma. She kind of comes and goes every once in a while.
P- So who does your grandmother actually live with then? Does she work and live on her own? (sarcactically!)
M-Well, she does not have to work… she has money! Besides, my mother and aunts support her. Everyone retires after 60. So you basically support the older ones. And guess what, my uncles and cousins live with us too... So, I’d say we have around 12 people living under one roof.
P- So, how has your family values shaped your beliefs and made you as a person then?
M-There’s no privacy obviously. I shared my room with my brother and it was all about living together! You always have to be considerate of others and I think I have that feeling everywhere.
P- How was your life different from the lifestyle in the US?
M- Well, you have a lot of privacy here. It’s more about you than other people. You tend to prioritize yourself and your needs which are totally different from what I am used to.
P- So, you are saying that you put other people ahead of your wants in your culture?
M- Yup, definitely. You always put people first. That’s the reason why I agreed to do this interview… otherwise who cares!
P- Thank you very much (Sarcasm). Let’s talk about the government now. What form of government is there?
M- Ethiopia is a federal democratic republic… kind of like the US. But we use the British system, the prime minister runs the country.
P- So what about the monarchy then?
M- We don’t have a king. The president is the head of the state and is more like the British queen with the prime minister exercising all the powers.
P- I know that Ethiopia used to have a monarchial system. Tell me more about that.
M- The last emperor Ethiopia had was Haile Selassie or the Rastafari and he ruled the country till 1974. He was a true leader and was one of the most inspirational people in the world. After him, it was Mengistu who ruled the country till 1991 but he was more like an Autocratic president.
P- Okay. So what are some of the most famous destinations in Ethiopia?
M-Well there are a lot of places to visit and it depends on what motivates you. If you are more into nature you would go visit Gondor, which is where the Blue Nile originates from. Gondor is a historical site as well and has a castle made out of eggs instead of cement and is really famous. You can also visit the southern Ethiopia which has one of the tallest mountains in Africa. Apart from that, if you love nature, you can go visit the cradle lakes which are on top of the mountains. If you are a religious person, the whole country is a holy pilgrimage. We are the second oldest Christian country beside Armenia. It is a holy land for Orthodox Christians.
P- What about the other Christians then?
No, Ethiopia is important for all the Catholics and the protestant too. We have the Arc of the Covenant, a holy site for all Christians. We also have one half of the cross in which Jesus was crucified.
P- How did that land in Ethiopia?
M- They actually brought it from Alexandria, Egypt. Back in 3rd century, Ethiopia used to be one of the most powerful kingdoms and we were extended all the way up to Yemen. So, they actually brought the cross and build a church under it. No one is supposed to go inside the church as it is very holy.
P- So how do you know that the cross is inside the church then?
M- Well, it is more of a belief and belief is what makes Ethiopia what it is!
P- What about the site where the oldest human remains were found?
M- That would be in Afar, which is in the northern part. That is also the hottest place in the planet and it’s really beautiful. The ground is all colorful due to all the minerals deposited there. It also is one the lowest points in earth and not that many people live there as there are active volcanoes in the area.
P- Have you ever been there?
M- No, I have never been there. It is really far from Adis… and Ethiopia is very big… twice the size of Texas.
P- Is it because of the road system is not as developed as in Texas then?
M- Well, Ethiopia has a varied land structure. Most of the roads are made around mountains which definitely make travel longer but I would not complain about the road system. Transportation system is pretty good in Ethiopia. Most of the people prefer ground transportation over air travel even if it takes 2 days to go from the north to the southern tip.
P- What about water transportation?
M- No, Ethiopia is a land locked country. However, they do use boats for fishing purposes along the Blue Nile. But it’s not that popular as we don’t eat a lot of fish. (Laughs in a tone of sarcasm)
P- Have you visited any of the sites you mentioned?
M- Ya, I have been to Gondor. And ya… there is Axum, the historical city which was a powerhouse during the 4th century. The city has large structures that symbolize the supremacy of Ethiopia back then and each layer of these structures represents a king that ruled Ethiopia… much like the layers in the pyramids in Egypt. If you go to the northern region again, there is the longest cave system in Africa which is used for religious purposes by the Muslim people.
P- Tell me something about the diversity that Ethiopia has?
M- There are two major ethnic groups- Oromo and Amhara. Oromos are the majority and they look more African physically and then they have Amhara and Tigray- the light skinned people. We have 80 different ethnic groups and 80 different languages, not just dialects.
P- So, what language do you speak then?
M- I speak Amharic and that is the national language. Since it is the national language all the people learn this language.
P- What about the festivals then?
M-Every day in Ethiopia is a holiday technically… each day is named after an angel. For example, my parents celebrate and worship on the 1st and the 15th of each month. Everyone does go to work on these days but they don’t forget to worship their angels. The national holidays, however, would be all the Christian and Muslim festivals… Christmas, Easter, Eid etc.
P- So the country is predominantly Christian and Muslim then?
M- Yup. Christians make up around 65% of the population and the Muslims around 35%. The indigenous religions make up less than 1% of the total population.
P- Does that mean there are a lot of tribal people in Ethiopia?
M- Yup. They actually found a group of tribal people like 10 years ago who were not known to world before. They are really primitive and have an amazing culture. I actually forgot the name of the tribe though… but I think they are called Surmi.
P- Nice! What about the weather in Adis?
M- Actually Adis is one of the coldest cities in Ethiopia. The temperature is between 65 F and 85 F.
P- Is that during winter?
M- Well, Ethiopia has just 2 seasons- summer and winter. The summer starts from September according to Ethiopian calendar and it tends to get cooler during rainfalls which occur between May to July.
P- What about the sports?
M- The most popular sports is soccer. But they have another game called Ganna which is more like ground hockey.
P- What about track running and marathon?
M- I would not call it sports but people run a lot (laughs). The Oromos are the ones winning the entire marathon. They live in the highlands of Ethiopia and have a solid metabolism.
P- Has Ethiopia won any major cups in soccer then?
M- We won the 3rd African cup of nations but only 5 nations were playing at that time (laughs).
P- So soccer does not make that much money in Ethiopia huh?
M- People love it but it’s not that huge. There are a lot of players playing for clubs in UAE or the Middle East but it’s not a lot of money.
P- What’s the main source of income then?
M- I’d say coffee… leather and Khat. Khat is illegal in the US but is legal in most of the European countries as it is more of a stimulant and psychotropic drug.
P- Tell me about your traditional food now!
M- The traditional food for my ethnic group is Injera and we eat it every day.
P- I have tasted Injera, but what is it made of?
M- it is made of Teff, a plant. It is grown in East Africa and they also find it in Canada.
P- What gives it the sour and tangy taste though?
M- It is actually the yeast. They mix it with water and leave it there for 3 days. That’s what makes it good.
P- What about the raw meat that you serve?
M- That would be Kitfo. That is the most respectful food you serve in Ethiopia There are different kinds of Kitfo… Dorowot and others! Apart from that, we drink a lot of coffee as well as tea which is called Chai.
P- Now the last question! What do most women do after they get married? Do they work or act as a housewife?
M- When it comes to marriage, the guy has to send his parents to the girl’s house. If they say yes, the guy has to buy everything the girl asks for… the reasonable things of course. Most of the times its jewelry, clothes and perfume! But after they get married, the women just continue their lives, same as here.
P- Has it always been that way?
M- Not really. Girls used to get married when they were 15 or 16 and be a housewife taking care of the family. But this has significantly changed now, women are more independent. However, there are also some tribal cultures in Ethiopia where women control the house and men take care of the family which is totally fascinating!
My phone stopped recording after this. However we talked more about the marriage customs and role of parents in the household and after thanking Micky for his great help, I parted ways with him.
No comments:
Post a Comment