The Nation Newspaper
THE old man at the entrance of the restaurant stood at attention. He wore a faded brown uniform with a black beret cap to match. On the approach of visitors, he raised an old weather-beaten trumpet and gave a short blast of sound accompanied by a salute. That was the first stage of welcome as tourists arrived at one of the leading traditional restaurants in Gondar, Ethiopia. Four Sisters, the name of the restaurant, was stylishly carved out on a signboard made of old wood.
In the restaurant, the whiff of Ethiopian black coffee hit the nostrils. One of the indulgences most tourists to Ethiopia reminisce on is the acquired taste for black organic coffee. In Ethiopia, coffee is like religion. It is celebrated in the way that the Igbo people of Nigeria celebrate kolanuts.
Four Sisters restaurant in the heart of Gondar was the first close contact with the Amhara people that inhabit the ancient city. They were very warm and welcoming. Most Ethiopian dishes are heavily spiced, but there were elements of continental cuisine on the dinner table. There were so many unfamiliar meals on the dinner table, but having become familiar with Enjira, the national food of Ethiopian people, it was safe to settle for it.
The Four Sisters restaurant is not just about food, it is a celebration of all that is unique about Ethiopian culture. After the trumpeting by the ex-serviceman at the gate, at the threshold was a young man in national attire of white calico with a dash of yellow, red and green – Ethiopian and Rastafarian choice of colours. The young man held a local string instrument similar to the kutugi of the Hausa made popular by the late musician of repute, Dan Maraya Jos. Beside a lady bearing the name tag of Aden, the youth welcomed guests with a broad smile.
Inside and around the Four Sisters, the décor is purely local in the artwork and media of expression. Compared to northern Ethiopia, the Gondar region appeared more successful in farming. Outside the Enjira, made of teff seeds common in Ethiopia, one couldn’t recognise much of the delicacies on offer. But they were delicious and quite close to what obtains in Nigeria. All through the meals wafted the aroma of coffee without a sign of it. As if on cue, as the lunch neared the end, a young lady appeared with roasted coffee beans that emitted a strong pleasant smell. She passed it from one guest to the other to sniff the aroma.
The next ceremony involved serving the beverage in small porcelain cups. After the meal and before departure, the Four Sisters were not still not finished as a cultural dance was staged for the guests. It was then that the work of the young man with the local string instrument became evident. The dancers performed local numbers and invited the tourists to join in the fun. Even without understanding the wordings of the mucic, it sounded good, and there was little prompting needed for visitors, especially the men, to join.
Four Sisters, as the name implied, is owned by four sisters who said they wanted to use the restaurant to display ‘food from the heart’ and authentic Ethiopian cuisines passed to them by their mother.
Impressed by the ambience and service, many Nigerians in the team expressed desire to marry the sisters and change the name of the restaurant to ‘No Sisters Restaurant’.
It was soon time to leave and explore other parts of the enigmatic city of Gondar with its world-famous castles. There were also the Emperor Fasiledes bathing pool and an ancient monastery.
Gondar was founded in 1635 by Emperor Fasiledes. For several centuries, Ethiopia had been ruled from a succession of temporary capitals and Fasiledes recognised that a permanent capital might help provide greater internal stability.
By the time of Fasiledes’ death in 1667, Gondar was the largest and most important city in the empire. It retained its position as the capital of Ethiopia for 250 years, though this status was largely nominal from the late 18th century onwards.
One remarkable thing about the ancient rulers of Gondar was each king’s desire to leave his footprint by building magnificent castles. The castles are still standing. Tour guides in each of the 11 castles regaled visitors with tales of royal conspiracy and intrigues.
During unsettled periods between the 13th and 17th centuries, Ethiopian rulers moved their royal camps frequently. King Fasil (Fasiledes) settled in Gondar and established it as a permanent capital in 1636. After Fasil, successive kings continued building; improving the techniques and architectural style. Before its decline in the late 18th century, the royal court had developed from a camp into a fortified compound called Fasil Ghebbi, consisting of six major building complexes surrounded by a wall 900 metres long. There are some 20 palaces and royal buildings and 30 churches in the area.
Handicrafts, painting, literature and music flourished in the 17th and 18th centuries. Fasil Ghebbi is included in the World Heritage List. The campaign also covers the royal Fasiledes Bath and the restoration of the celebrated painting in the Church of Debre Berhan Selassie.
About two kilometres out of town lay the large sunken Fasiledes bathing pool. The pool is still used for the Timkat Festival which takes place every January. Tickets cannot be bought at the pool itself but entrance is included in the price for visiting the Royal Enclosure (providing you visit both on the same day).
The church of Debre Birhan Selassie, a half-hour walk out of town, is regarded by some experts to contain the finest art of its period anywhere in Ethiopia. The church is most famous for its roof which is decorated with a painting of 80 cherubic faces. Apparently, Emperor Yohannis I intended to move the Ark of the Covenant here from Axum. Photography is permitted but useless without a flash or tripod.
They Were Laughing At Me Then Look At What Happen Next….
As a young aspiring business minded young man, who doesn’t want to engage in any illegal business to become rich.
My ears was always on ground
Anywhere I hear them talking about business am always present there to learn one or two things.
Some big business men will charge you so much just to give you business information and at the end you will need almost half a million naira to start up such business! what a hell?
I don’t even have up to N10,000 in my account how do I raise such a huge amount of money.
I never relent I kept pushing hard and going to business seminars, trainings and workshops.
Every month ending after collecting my salary I always set aside money to attend any business training that might come up.
I knew information is power, I have read that in several books that was writing by world richest business men so I kept pushing till I get the real information on this Business.
Which Business you may ask?
You will find out soon…
Many of my friends called me a fool.
They said I am just a dreamer looking for what doesn’t exit.
They told me my father is a nobody so I can never do such business in Nigeria since I don’t know anyone in government.
Most of my salary went into diverse business information while my friends were busy buying the latest phones, clothes and shoes in vogue.
Finally I went to a business training one day and the unexpected happened?