Customs A handshake with the right hand is appropriate.

With many Muslim men and women, touching may be taboo, so a simple nod of acknowledgment will be appropriate.

Indirect speaking is common, especially to foreigners.

Sex and politics are sensitive subjects.

Showing anger or raising your voice in public is considered very rude.

No touching between opposite genders during conversations.

Many Ethiopians do not use their left hand when eating or touching another person.

It is acceptable to be late for an appointment.

Drugs/Alcohol Drugs are not allowed especially the children. They sometimes may use drug without letting their parents know.

Alcohol is used only on special occasions.

Religious Practices The main religions in Ethiopia are Christianity, Islam, Judaism and Paganism. Ethiopian Orthodox Christians do not eat meat and dairy products on fasting days.

References

Cultural Crossing Guide. (2014). Ethiopia Retrieved from http://guide.culturecrossing.net/basics_business_student_details.php?Id=30&CID=66

Ethnomed (2015). Ethiopian Cultural Profile. Retrieved from https://ethnomed.org/culture/ethiopian/copy_of_ethiopian-cultural-profile

Hodes, R.M. (1997). Cross-culture Medicine Diverse and Health Beliefs. Ethiopian abroad. Western Journal Medicine. 166(1), 29-36. Retrieved from https://ethnomed.org/culture/ethiopian/rhodes.pdf

Ethiopian Culture

This project was made possible by a collaboration between the University of Iowa College of Nursing and the Early Childhood Department of Northwest Are Education Agency in Sioux City, Iowa.Early Childhood/Special Education Nurses: Jennifer Mars, Judy Turner, Sheila FinchUniversity of Iowa, College of Nursing Lecturer:Carol DupicStudents: Sara Pohlen, Jenny Tran, Laura Binnebose

Northwest Area Education Agency does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, veteran status or as otherwise prohibited by law in its educational programs, services and employment practices. Questions or grievances related to this policy may be addressed to: Jerome Shaefer, Equity Coordinator, 1520 Morningside Ave., Sioux City, IA 51106-1716,

Who are the Ethiopians?

Background

Ethiopia is in the northeast African region

known as the Horn of Africa. It is the

second-most populous nation in Africa

(after Nigeria), bordered by Eritrea to the

north, Djibouti to the northeast, Somalia to

the east, Kenya to the south, and Sudan and

South Sudan are to the west.

Medical Practices

Traditionally : Spiritual healing plays an

important role in traditional medical

practice. Health is a balance between the

body and the outside. Skin diseases are

caused by excessive use of sun light or

sunstroke. Sexual transmitted disease are

associated with urinating under the full

moon. Babies with diarrhea may be treated

by removing lower incisors. . Chest pain is

treated with cupping. Bloodletting is used to

treat some neurological disorders Some

elderly have difficulty understanding the

concept of disease, causes, treatments and

prevention.

Family Structure

Normally, women are not supposed to carry

on a long conversation with a man who is

not a friend of the family. Family ties are

extremely strong for the Ethiopian

community. Extended family structure

remains the focus of the community. It is

normal for the grandparents to live with the

family when they get older and cannot take

care of themselves. Generally, when

children get married, they join their family

to make sure that there will always be

someone in the family when they need. A

family’s needs are first priority.

Children

Ethiopian parents are strong in raising their

children based on the cultural and religious

values. The family is responsible for

teaching the children the values and the

skills necessary to become self-supporting

adults. The mothers and young children stay

at home in rural areas, while the father and

older children are in the field or other

outside jobs. When both parents work

outside the home, the parents depend on

servants and extended family members to

look after the children. For those that live in

the cities, children go to school beginning at

age 5 years of age. ,Ethiopian parents

believe in physical punishment and its

effectiveness, even though they do not want

their children to get involved in any types of

violence. The children will stay with their

parents and depend on them until they get

married.

Health .

Common health issues for Ethiopian

immigrants are infectious diseases, including

HIV/AIDS, vitamin deficiency, anemia, and

the long-term effects of malnutrition and

physical and psychological trauma from war.

Changes in lifestyle and diet for Ethiopians in

the U.S. have brought Western diseases, such

as Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and high

cholesterol to this population.

Mental illness and some physical illnesses,

such as epilepsy, are commonly attributed to

evil spirits. The family, therefore, may refuse

to talk about it.

Ethiopian patients need to be taught about

the importance of taking medication as

ordered, since they may skip or double the

dose due to having to fast for religious

reasons.

Death

End of life is marked by religious traditions,

rituals, prayers, and gatherings. Patients may

be administered a sacrament by a religious

person. Men may cry out loud and grow a

beard as a sign of respect. Women often cry

uncontrollably. They may cut their hair short

and wear black for a year.