In the 4th century, the inhabitants of Aksum practised Judaism. Perhaps because Christianity arrived so early, Ethiopian Christianity has some distinctive features related to Judaism, such as the restriction on eating pork. Christians belong to the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church. They observe Wednesday and Friday fasts, and longer fasts during Lent (before Easter) and Kuskam, which marks the 40 days preceding the feast of the flight to Egypt. On fasting days, people do not eat or drink before noon; after noon, animal products are forbidden. Members of the clergy fast for 250 days of the year.

Islam also came early to Ethiopia. The country's oldest mosque (al Nejashi at Tegray) dates from the 8th century. The majority of Muslims live in the eastern, southern and western lowlands. Muslims follow the teachings of Mohammedhey pray five times a day, give to the poor and observe 30-day of Ramadanthey fasting and celibacy between sunrise and sunset.

Living so long apart from other Jews, Ethiopian Jews (sometimes called Falashas, although many prefer to be called Bete Israel) developed their own customs of worship. Even their Bible is written in the Ethiopian language of Ge'ez rather than in Hebrew.

Some Cushistic peoples in the western and southern lowland areas practise indigenous beliefs such as animism. Animists believe that all objects in nature are sacred and alive with the vital energy of the universe. Some Afar and Oromo peoples practise forms of ancestor worship.

Did you know?

Ethiopian churches all have replicas of the tabot or Ark of the Covenant in their inner sanctuaries. According to legend, the Ark was taken from Jerusalem and brought to Ethiopia in 5th century BC.