All over the world, dignitaries such as celebrities and presidents are accorded red-carpet treatment whenever they grace a ceremony.
However, in Ethiopia, dignitaries are accorded a yellow carpet treatment rather than the usual red, as was the case with President William Ruto on Friday, February 17 and October 6, 2022.
The yellow carpet tradition in Ethiopia dates back to June 2021 when Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed proposed changes to the reception of guests in the Eastern African country.
At the time, the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize believed that Ethiopia needed to utilise its heritage in welcoming its guest.
In particular, he proposed the use of Adey Abeba carpets instead.
Adey Abeba is a common flower in Ethiopia, often found on mountain slopes.
The flower is yellow and has a blend of green leaves. It mostly blossoms around September 11, when the country marks its New Year celebrations.
Notably, yellow is a significant colour in Ethiopia and symbolises peace, hope, and love. The yellow colour is also a predominant colour on their flag.
"Bidens macroptera ( Adey Abeba) is known only from Ethiopia. It grows on rocky mountain slopes and in grasslands, forest margins, and open places in ericaceous scrub; rarely, it is found along roadsides.
"Bouquets of these flowers are often presented to families or friends as gifts. Together with grasses and sedges, they are also used in decorating the floors of homes," Encyclopedia states.
Following the proposal of the PM, various institutions such as hotels and airports replaced their red carpets with Adey Abeba carpets to showcase their heritage.
Ever since, visiting presidents, including the former head of state, Uhuru Kenyatta, who visited the country last year, were accorded the yellow carpet blended with green colour.
