Language/Amharic/Culture/Invitations-in-Ethiopia

Invitations in Ethiopia

It is quite common in Ethiopian culture to invite friends out for lunch, dinner, ሻይ/ ቡና šay/buna, and other more formal events. Be aware that if you are the one inviting, it is expected that you will pay for the one you have invited. Similarly, if you are invited, you can typically expect that the person who has invited you will pay for you.

When coming to a special event, such as a ልደት lïdät, ክርስትና kїrsïtïna, or any other, it is common to bring a gift. For a ልደት lïdät, it is common to bring food or drinks for the gathering. For a ክርስትና kїrsïtïna, a gift of clothing for the infant may be brought, but it is not required. When attending a särg, a good gift for a close friend is some sort of የቤት እቃ yäbet ïk’a, as in ብርጭቆ bïrč’ïk’o. For a recent graduate, photo frames, neckties, and shirts are common, but choose your gift according to what your friend will like.

People may be very insistent when extending an invitation. To be polite in refusing an invitation, you should offer a reason that you will not be able to attend.

Source

https://www.livelingua.com/peace-corps/Amharic/Amharic%20Peace%20Corps%20Language%20Manual-2015.pdf

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