Introduction

Ethiopia is a country located in the continent of Africa. Ethiopia is a landlocked state in the Horn of the continent of Africa and is one of the most ancient countries in the world.  Its capital is Addis Ababa, and it is known to be the final resting place of the Ark of the Covenant in a chapel in the Holy City of Aksum.

Country Information

Geographic Facts

• Ethiopia is 1,119, 683 square kilometers in size this is equivalent to about twice the size of the state of Texas.
• Ethiopia has an approximate population of over 79.2 million people, making it the 2nd most populous country within Africa.
• The life expectancy at birth is 41.24 years.

Serious Facts

• Ethiopia is the birthplace of coffee, and they have often had official coffee ceremonies in the home. It is believed to be rude if a person denies coffee once offered.
• 85% of the workmen are farmers, and there is 40% unemployment throughout the country.
• Traditionally parents and children do not share a last name. Most children inherit their father’s first and last name.

Fun Facts

• Women often feed the men with their fingers as an indication of love and devotion.
• There are 13 months in the Ethiopian calendar. Each month has 30 days and the last month has either 5 or 6, depending on the year.  New Year is celebrated on September 11th, and they are almost 8 years behind our Western calendar.
• Ethiopian television consists of only one channel.

Potpourri

A unique fact about the country of Ethiopia:

The large portion of the Ethiopian population claims descent from King Solomon of Jerusalem and Makeda Queen of Sheba.

Food Information

“Ikegulian Punch” Recipe

Ingredients

1 Cup Raspberry Syrup

1 Cup Maraschino Cherry Juice

1 Cup Orange Juice

1 Cup Lemon Juice

1 Cup Pineapple Juice

1 Cup Grape Juice

2 ½ Quarts of “7-up” soda

Alcoholic ingredients (optional to taste and setting)*

Recipe URL source: http://supercocktails.com/7491/Ethiopian_Punch.html

Mixing Directions

Combine the aforementioned ingredients in a punch bowl, serve with plenty of ice and garnished with orange slices.

My Kitchen Story

I very much enjoyed making this punch. Although it doesn’t seem there are many ingredients to make this simple concoction, I found myself with little space on my kitchen counter & table to make it. It seemed a little messy to make, also. My roommate assisted me and tasted it after it was done; we both really liked the taste and wondered what it would taste like with a little “libation” added to it. After drinking the punch we both became hungry, but then I realized that I had spent so much on the punch ($37 to be exact), that I couldn’t afford to go to the store and get any groceries to eat; therefore, I went to bed with a quenched throat and a hungry stomach. Ultimately, the entire experience was worth it.

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Contact Info: To contact the author of “A Taste of Ethiopia: A Recipe for the Ikegulian Punch,” please e-mail Joshua.Ikegulu@selu.edu.

David C. Wyld (dwyld@selu.edu) is the Robert Maurin Professor of Management at Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond, Louisiana. He is a management consultant, researcher/writer, and executive educator. His blog, Wyld About Business, can be viewed at http://wyld-business.blogspot.com/.