Why Don’t Ethiopian Orthodox Christians Eat Pork? Examining the Religious Custom

Walk into an Ethiopian restaurant and you likely won’t find any dishes containing pork on the menu. This absence reflects the dietary customs of Ethiopian Orthodox Christians, who abstain from eating pork due to religious reasons. But why exactly don’t Ethiopian Orthodox followers consume this meat?

In this article we will explore the historical and theological basis behind the pork restriction in the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. We’ll also look at how this differs from pork consumption in other Orthodox Christian denominations.

The Biblical Basis for Avoiding Pork

The Ethiopian Orthodox Church bases its restriction of pork consumption on passages in the Old Testament. Specifically, Leviticus 11:7-8 and Deuteronomy 14:8 state that the pig is an unclean animal and declare its flesh unsuitable for eating.

These passages form part of the kosher dietary laws which prohibit consumption of certain “unclean” animals, including pigs, rabbits, shellfish and others. Ethiopian Orthodox Christians strictly adhere to these biblical injunctions against pork.

Fasting Traditions

Another factor underlying pork avoidance relates to the important role of fasting in the Ethiopian Orthodox Church Followers fast for over 250 days annually, abstaining from meat, eggs and dairy products during these periods

Even if pork were permitted, it would still be prohibited during the many fasting periods. The observance of frequent and lengthy fasts shapes overall dietary habits for Ethiopian Orthodox adherents in an meat-restrictive direction.

Emphasis on Old Testament Law

More broadly, the Ethiopian Orthodox Church places strong emphasis on adhering to the laws and customs of the Old Testament. This includes observing the Sabbath on Saturday, male circumcision, and avoiding pork.

Ethiopian Orthodox Christians believe these early biblical laws represent divine commandments that all the faithful must follow. This theological orientation underpins the continued avoidance of pork.

Traditional Association of Pigs with Impurity

Beyond biblical injunctions, pigs have also traditionally been seen as impure, dangerous scavengers in Ethiopia. Letting them roam freely poses risks to health and hygiene.

These cultural attitudes contribute to a view of pork as an unclean meat even apart from explicit biblical prohibitions. Many Ethiopians have thus historically avoided pork consumption regardless of their specific religious affiliation.

Contrast with Other Orthodox Denominations

The prohibition on pork among Ethiopian Orthodox Christians differs from the stance of other Eastern Orthodox Churches. For instance, the Greek and Russian Orthodox Churches permit moderate pork consumption, though they still prohibit it during Lent.

These Orthodox denominations do not maintain the Old Testament kosher restrictions as strictly as the Ethiopian Church. They emphasize New Testament teachings that revoked many elements of Jewish ceremonial law. This theological difference underlies varying attitudes toward pork in the Orthodox world.

Status of Pork in Ethiopian Cuisine

As a result of Ethiopian Orthodox beliefs, pork is almost entirely absent from traditional Ethiopian cuisine. Some dishes substitute beef or lamb to meet religious restrictions.

Ethiopian Muslims and Jews similarly avoid pork for religious reasons. Thus, although pork is widely eaten globally, it occupies minimal culinary status in this ancient East African culture.

Significance of Animal Slaughter Rituals

Meat that is consumed must also adhere to specific Ethiopian Orthodox rituals. Cattle, sheep, goats and chickens must be slaughtered by a Christian and blessed by a priest with a Trinitarian blessing before consumption.

These rituals reflect the respect and sacredness associated with animal life. They apply to all meat, but provide an additional barrier to pork consumption even if restrictions were relaxed.

Modern Perspectives Among Ethiopian Orthodox

In modern times, some Ethiopian Orthodox followers have adopted more flexible stances toward Old Testament dietary laws. However, pork consumption remains very limited. Most Ethiopian Orthodox Christians still refrain, honoring traditional interpretations of scripture and fasting customs.

For this ancient, indigenous African Church, avoiding pork retains deep cultural and spiritual significance, even as dietary attitudes modernize globally. This unique aspect of Ethiopian Orthodox heritage persists as an interesting contrast within worldwide Orthodoxy.