This document is a text dealing mainly with Ethiopia's rich cultural heritage and current lifestyles. It gives students the opportunity to go beyond the media coverage that has led to the perception of the whole of Ethiopia as a famine stricken land, and to discover the realities of this new nation, that about 15 percent of the population, mainly in the north, were in need of food assistance in 1988. The text explores the reasons for the famine and its more far reaching effects by looking at the agricultural system, land distribution, resettlement, deforestation, and climate. The text is divided into units according to subject areas. These include land and climate, history, government, religion, people, agriculture, rural life, marriage and family life, industry, cities, housing, food, dress, health, education, the arts, and leisure. Additionally there is a fact sheet, and map of Ethiopia. These units can be duplicated and handed out to the class or used for teacher reference. All illustrations are designed so that they may be made into transparencies and shown on an overhead projector along with the text. The text covers a wide variety of topics. This gives teachers an opportunity to choose the areas on which they would like to concentrate. Suggested activities consist of a series of questions, discussion topics, activities, quizzes, and research projects. These correspond directly to the textual material. Teachers can choose from the variety of suggestions or adapt the ideas to their own methods. (DK)