Ethnological Museum, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

5StotheN 5:00 PM Nov 19, 2022

Came here to see Lucy
Lets be honest, I came here just to see Lucy. And it was worth it. But the museum has other exhibits which are interesting. Also, be careful that the museum does not allow in visitors at least 45min before closing time. I had to come here twice because of this.

3RKS 5:00 PM Apr 8, 2022

Great experience once you get in
I visited the museum on my last day in Ethiopia. Getting past security at the entrance to the University was a huge hassle. For reasons that are not important I had my passport with me and the guard was demanding I leave it with him. Other Ethiopian national ID’s were laid out I for all to see in a small metal shack completely unsecured. Of course I refused to hand over my passport and a long argument ensued. He even promised to keep it safe in his pocket. Finally, they let me pass after I tried to leave without visiting the museum. When you reach the museum itself you told to pay but if the cashier isn’t there then you are told to go ahead only to be promptly turned back to pay. I was also told to return for my “receipt” several times. This seemed to be an important step that I did not understand until after I visited and there was my very formal, stamped, typed on high quality paper receipt. This elaborated document was then handed over to the guard at the entrance of the university. It takes as long to enter and and exit as to visit the whole thing. The museum itself is as others describe. Fascinating in how they weave various regional/tribal customs into the life cycle. I enjoyed that portion. Did not visit the top floor.