Ethiopia – Bahir Dar

Today we attended an official opening of one of the Foundation’s schools.  What an over the top experience!  We had such fun riding on the Cosco’s coat tails!  When we got out of the vehicle at the school, approximately 25 horses and riders arrive to usher us into the seated area in the trees for the celebration where all the officials from the Department of Education for the region were present.

The ox which was to be slaughtered for the banquet, was on display.

Dancers preformed.

The shoulder dance preformed by all the riders.

Classrooms were visited.

The crowd followed along and cheered.

The chalkboards painted on walls were a suggestion made by Bob Sharp when he visited from Whitehorse and worked in some of the schools.

Heading back to the trees after the classroom visits.

The crowd gathered for the killing of the ox.

It was butchered and the cooking began.

Official ribbon cutting ceremony with David and the officials.

The special bread was cut,  with Gina helping out.

Coffee beans were roasted, coffee made and served with the bread.

Speeches were made

and gifts distributed.

 

The neighbouring community presented a cow and sheep for the community celebration.

Being a horse lover I got a treat.

The banquet in the new classroom consisted of  raw and cooked meat.  This is a platter of freshly killed ox.

Cooked ox and sheep were also featured.

The meat was served with injera along with beer, whisky and home made arake in the little glass.

After the banquet the neighboring community school council took all dignitaries to a bar. Gina and I were the only females.  At one point I counted 34 men.  Likewise, the only women at the celebration were those who were helping out.

Saying goodbye.

Lastly on the way back to the hotel we stopped at a distinguished teacher’s home for more coffee,  meat and injera. He was honoured to have Gina and David as guests in his house. A sign of respect is to feed people personally,  so we were all individually fed by him.