Around a world with us: Djibouti

DJIBOUTI by Hamza Hachi Djama, 5th year student

Djibouti – is small strategically located country on the northeast coast of the Horn of Africa. It is situated on the Bab el Mandeb Strait which lies to the east and separates the Red Sea from the Gulf of Aden.
Djibouti Formerly known as French Somaliland (1896–1967), gained independence from France on June 27, 1977. Djibouti’s capitalis is Djibouti city and the country has close to one million population such as Somali people, afar people and arab people.

Official languages are Arabic and french, most of the people speak Somali language. Religion: 95% Islam, 5% others.

Hamoudi mosque  Hamoudi mosque is located in the downtown of Djibouti city, It is considered as one of the most iconic structures of the city. It has old style and unique arab architecture.

Lake Assal – is a saline lake which lies 155 m below sea level in the Afar Triangle, making it the lowest point on land in Africa. Lake Assal is the world's largest salt reserve.

Moucha island – is a coral island in the Gulf of Tadjoura, just off the shores of Djibouti. Its total length is no more than 3 km, and it is surrounded by Maskali Island, a group of tiny islands and a coral reef. Together, these are sometimes called the Moucha Islands and are known for their diving opportunities as well as for swimming, snorkelling and fishing.

The People’s Palace – is a monumental complex that serves as a major symbol of struggle for freedom of the people located in the capital city.

The Djibouti spurfowl or Djibouti francolin (Pternistis ochropectus) –  is a bird species in the pheasant family, Phasianidae. It is critically endangered and found only in Djibouti.

Culture and dance – One traditional dance is an oracle dance called the jenile.  This dance is tied to the ancient time. The music from the Afars and Somalis, the two major ethnic groups in Djibouti, has characteristics of the music from neighboring Ethiopia (and other regions in the Horn of Africa) as well as from Arab music.

FOOD

Djibouti‘s cuisine is heavily influenced by its neighbors, Ethiopia, Somalia and Yemen, as well as its former occupier France, and by India to some extent.

Cambaabur – is our favorite breakfast on Islamic holidays, this type of dish in Belarus it corresponds to oladiyi (Оладьи).

Laxooox – daily breakfast, main dish is typically a pancake-like bread called a canjeero or lahoh, we usually eat with tea or with soup.

Mukbazah – (fried fish) this for lunch always with rice.

Fahfah – is like kind of soup with meat.

Samosa – usual for break time, is like curry puffs stuffed with meat and rink with tea.

Most popular fruits in Djibouti are: Banana, Papaya, guava and watermelon.