Guides for Habesha life in the DMV
No jargon, no run-around. How to send money without getting burned, how an equb and idir actually work, and how to find your feet when you are new here.
Send money to Ethiopia safely
Sending through an unlicensed service is illegal in Ethiopia, and if it goes wrong you have no recourse. Here is how to check a service against the National Bank of Ethiopia's own list before you send a dollar.
Check a serviceWhich transfer service to use
The apps and storefronts people in the DMV actually use to send money home, in one place, with the licence badge where we can confirm it.
Compare optionsHow an equb works
The oldest savings plan we have, explained: everyone pays in, one person takes the pot each round, and lots decide the order. Then start yours in two minutes.
See how, then start oneHow an idir works
The fund, the hosting rota, and the payouts for a death, a wedding, or a graduation. What it is for, and how to keep the book online without touching the money.
See how, then start oneJust arrived in the DMV
The first few months are mostly paperwork. SSN, license, taxes, health care, schools, and where to get help in your own language, in the order most people do it.
Open the checklistEating for tsom (fasting)
Which kitchens and markets keep fasting food any day of the year, and what to look for on a menu. Find vegan Habesha food without the guesswork.
Find fasting foodCommon questions
How do I send money to Ethiopia safely from the US?+
Use a service licensed by the National Bank of Ethiopia. Sending through an unlicensed service is illegal in Ethiopia and leaves you with no recourse if something goes wrong. You can check any service against NBE's official licensed list on TiruList before you send.
What is an equb (እቁብ)?+
An equb is a rotating savings circle. A group of people each contribute the same amount every round, and one member takes the whole pot each time, decided by lot. After everyone has had a turn, the circle is complete. TiruList offers a free tool to run one online.
What is an idir (እድር)?+
An idir is a community mutual-aid association. Members meet on a schedule, contribute to a shared fund, and the fund pays out when a member has a death, wedding, or graduation in the family. TiruList offers a free tool to track the fund, the hosting rota, and payouts.
Where can I find Ethiopian and Eritrean restaurants in the DMV?+
TiruList lists trusted Habesha restaurants, markets, and cafes across Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia, with reviews, hours, and what each place serves, including fasting (tsom) menus.
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