Biya Joba: My Hometown
Biya grew up in Ethiopia. He talks about what it was like living there and shares his memories of arriving in Canada.
Audio (2:43)
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Biya Joba
Age: 19
Community: Ethiopia
Languages: Oromo, Amharic, English
Hobbies: Studying, hanging out with friends, reading, soccer
Favourite cultural artists: Taddala Gamachuu, Qamar Yusuf
Favourite traditional foods: Injera, Marqa
Country/Culture Information
(from the 2008 CIA World Factbook)
Name: Ethiopia
Population: 76,511,887 (July 2007 est.)
Capital: Addis Ababa
Languages: Amarigna 32.7%, Oromigna 31.6%, Tigrigna 6.1%, Somaligna 6%, Guaragigna 3.5%, Sidamigna 3.5%, Hadiyigna 1.7%, other 14.8%, English (major foreign language taught in schools) (1994 census)
Area: 1,127,127 sq km
Economy – Exports commodities: coffee, qat, gold, leather products, live animals, oilseeds
Government: Federal Republic
Flag of Ethiopia
CBC In Depth-Ethiopia:
Biya Joba: My Culture
Each region in Ethiopia has its unique foods.
Audio (0:51)
Singing and storytelling is very important in Ethiopia.
Audio (0:46)
Biya still listens to Ethiopian music. Hear him talk about his favourites.
Audio (0:43)
As it is in many cultures, family is very important to Ethiopians.
Audio (0:54)
Biya speaks two of Ethiopia's languages: Oromo and Amharic.
Audio (1:07)
Biya Joba: Bridging Cultures
Before arriving in Canada, Biya had never seen First Nations people. As he learns more about them he sees some similarities between his culture and theirs.
Audio (1:41)
Biya Joba: All About Me
The hardest part of my day.
Audio (0:31)
For Biya, there is one big difference between Ethiopia and Canada.
Audio (0:30)
What I'm most proud of.
Audio (0:46)
Where I want to be in ten years.
Audio (0:29)