Etiquette in Ethiopia
Everyday customs that visitors and newcomers often find useful in Ethiopia.
- Greeting Greetings are warm and may include several handshakes and a light shoulder bump among friends.
- Dining Injera and stews are shared from one platter and eaten with the right hand. Gursha, feeding someone a bite, is a sign of friendship.
- Time Fasting days (Wednesdays and Fridays for many Orthodox Christians) mean vegan dishes are widely available.
- Dress Cover shoulders and knees at churches, and take off shoes when entering.
- Home Coffee ceremonies are social occasions; stay for at least three cups if you can.
These are general customs, not rules or legal advice. They differ between regions, generations and families, and they change over time. For visas, residency and legal requirements always use the destination country's official government sources.