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Ethiopian Culture
Ethiopia
Discover the oldest culture of Africa! With its old Christian traditions Ethiopia holds a unique place in cultural history. As legends tell us, it is the Kingdom of John, the Priest King, and the Queen of Sheba, the cradle of the human race and the country of origin of coffee.
No other African country can compare with this abundance of history. Especially in the north, historical sites of cultural uniqueness can be found. The fascination of the south-west lies in centuries-old traditions that have been kept by the primitive people up to this day.
Fascinating Ethiopia
Discovering Ethiopia means discovering something new, interesting and often unknown. The realm of Axum in the north of Ethiopia was where the legendary love between King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba started and it was one of the first Christian kingdoms in the world. Eleven churches set in stone in Lalibela were declared world heritage by the UNESCO in 1978. In lake Tana you find small islands with churches and monasteries, part of them founded in the 14th century already. Nearby lake Tana, the old imperial town of Gondar is situated, with precious gardens and palaces. The Old Town of Harar, also listed as world heritage, proves the influence of primary Islamic culture and is known, after Mecca, Medina and Jerusalem, as the forth holy city of Islam.
Eventful History
People in Ethiopia have kept their independence for more than two thousand years in spite of many efforts of enduring conquest or colonisation. The victory that Ethiopia captured against a European army with its modern equipment in 1896 agitated the whole world.
Ethiopian art
In the course of the last ten centuries, Ethiopian artists created an astonishing diversity of book-miniatures, religious painting, ikons and crosses. No other Christian country is known for so many different types of crosses. In painting Ethiopia has also developed its distinctly unique character. Religious handicraft as well as traditional articles of daily use, clothes and adornment are still made by hand in the traditional and intricate way.
Cradle of the Human Race
About 3.5 Million years ago, Ethiopia was the first country in the world where people dwelled. Skeleton Lucy which was found in Ethiopia in 1974 represents the missing link between the human and the simian race. In the south-west of the country some ethnic groups have kept a way of life very close to the roots. That is why Ethiopia is sometimes called “Museum of People”. The tribe of Mursi is of worldwide renown, as women of this tribe wear small plates of adobe as an ornament in the lower lip.
The origin country of coffee
Ethiopia is the country where Arabica coffee came from. As the legend goes, a shepherd in the region of Kaffa realized that the goats of his herd after having eaten fruit of a certain bush would jump happily around even after nightfall. Ethiopian monks then were the first to brew a cup of coffee using fruit of these plants. The traditional ceremony of coffee has always been a social event in Ethiopia.
“Thirteen Months of Sunshine”
Ethiopia has kept its peculiarities until today. It has got its own calendar dividing the year in 12 months with 30 days each and an additional month with 5 to 6 days. Ethiopian clocks strike in a different way as well: The day starts with the sunrise (at 6 o’clock a.m. European time) and has twelve hours. The night has twelve hours too and starts at 6 o’clock p.m. European time.
We invite you to experience Ethiopia in impressive pictures on our website and we present collectibles of great value from Ethiopia in our online shop. Friends of Ethiopia may find exciting information, links to be recommended and recommendations for literature.
© 2009 ETHIOPIAN ART GALLERY / 090802ENG2.1
The love between King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba
and the history of the holy Arc of the Covenant
According to the Ethiopian version of the biblical story the legendary Queen of Sheba ruled the Kingdom of Aksum. She heard about the wisdom of King Solomon who in return, having heard about her beauty through a merchant, invited her to come and visit Jerusalem. In Jerusalem both of them fell in love with each other, but since the Queen resisted King Solomons courting, he used a trick. He invited the complete Ethiopian court to a feast with strongly spiced meals and since it got very late Solomon invited the Queen to sleep in his chamber in the palace.. She was not to touch anything though, which did not belong to her, otherwise she had to be at will to the King. The Queen agreed. Having eaten the spicy foods before, she became very thirsty during the night and so crept to a cup of water beside Solomons bed to drink from it. Solomon, having pretended to be asleep, caught her and so demanded from her to share his bed.
Having returned to Aksum the Queen gave birth to a son whom she called Menelik. As he had become a young man he asked his mother about his father and she told him about Solomon, whom Menelik then wanted to visit. In Jerusalem Solomon recognized his Son and took him up joyfully. Later on Menelik returned to Ethiopia with a great group of followers, consisting of the most noble sons of the tribes of Israel. In the night before leaving these are said to have stolen the holy Arc of the Covenant from the temple of Jerusalem. When Solomon discovered the theft he tried to follow the thieves but God allowed them to escape with the shrine. It is said that then a copy of the Arc was placed into the temple of Jerusalem while the original was kept at a monastry at Lake Tana until it was later taken to Aksum where it said to remain until todays time.
Lalibela
The eleven Rock-Churches of Lalibela hewn into red tuffstone, belong to the most important architectural artworks of Christianity. Until today they are seen to be the biggest monolithical structure ever created by mankind. In 1978 the Churches were declared a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO. For the Ethiopian Christmas on the 7th of January as well as for Easter orthodox Christians unite at Lalibela from all parts of the country.
According to a legend God showed King Lalibela, who is said to have lived during the 11th century, the city of Jerusalem in a dream and ordered him to erect a second Jerusalem in Lalibela. So he had his Craftsmen chisel out the multistoried churches from the red tuffstone. Since nobody could actually imagine that such impressive buildings should have been created by manpower alone, the belief emerged that angels had taken their share in the works. Historians suppose that there is a connection betweet the erection of a second Jerusalem and the end of the crusades: Jerusalem was reconquered by the egyptian Sultan Saladin in 1187. The possibilities for ethiopian Christians to undertake a pilgrimage to the holy city had thus become very bad. Eventually through this King Lalibela may have been caused to complete the already started structure as a substitute for Jerusalem.
The eleven Rock-churches of Lalibela are divided into three groups:
- The northern group including: The Bet Medhane Alem-Church, which contains the Lalibela-Cross, and is seen to be the largest monolithical church of the world. Obviously the Church of St. Mary from Zion was taken as model for this structure. Also it includes Bet Golgotha with the grave of King Lalibela and fantastic works of art as well as the Selassie-Chapel and the grave of Adam.
- The western group: It covers the worldfamous Bet Giyorgis Church which is seen as built to perfection.
- The eastern group: It includes the supposed early court-chapel Bet Amanuel, the supposed prior prison Bet Merkorios, Bet Abba Libanos, the supposed Kings Palace Bet Gabriel-Rufael which was connected to the holy bakery, and as well in a little distance, the monastry Ashetan Maryam and the Church Yimrehane Kristos.
Eventful History: The Battle of Adua
Ethiopia is the only african nation which successfully defended its independence during the time of colonialism. The glorious battle lead by Emperor Menelik against a modern, well equipped italian invasional Army in 1896 still nourishes the national pride of Ethiopians until this day.
In that time Italy set out to become one of the leading colonial powers in Africa but failed shamefully on Ethiopia. In but a single day the Italians lost an estimate of 8.000 of their men including their complete artillery. Thousands of italian soldiers and their allied eritrean troops were taken as prisoner of war. Obviously General Oreste Baratieri had badly underestimated the fighting skills and the high motivation of the ethiopian troops to defend their country. A next reason for this victory was, that Italy itself had delivered thousands of modern rifles to Ethiopia just a few years before.
After worldwide recognition of the defeat, Italy was forcd to pay reparation depts to Ethiopia. Hundreds of italian prisoners were forced into labour in order to build the new capitol Addis Abeba. The rest of them, about 3.000 prisoners of war were not allowed to return to home until Italy had fully acknowledged Ethiopias independence. It is probably only for innerpolitical reasons, that Emperor Menelik did not run a counter-attack and thus Italy was able to hold the neighboring colony of Eritrea. Also he probably feared that a march of his troops towards the coastal region could alarm the other colonial powers. In Italy itself the defeat of Adua led to a major political crisis and the resignation of the Prime minister.
The "Shame of Adua" was not forgotten in Italy. Led by fascist Mussolini in 1935, italian troops invaded Ethiopia once more .They occupied Addis Abeba which was most heavily defended, only by the usage of mustard gas which is banned by international law. Emperor Haile Selassie fled to England into exile and did not return until 1941 with the support of England. Despite the immense cruelties which Italy imposed during its time of protectorate in order to supress the opposition in Abbessinia ( Ethiopia) the Italians still never managed to rule the complete country as a wh
Ethiopian Jews
The Falasha are ethiopian Jews. Small groups of them live around the city of Gondar and Lake Tana. They call themselves Beta Israel (meaning: House of Israel) while their origin is not clearly identified and is said to be rather mysterious. Since they were not allowed to own land, they became skilled craftsmen. The women are known for their skilled pottery and baskets, while men are often blacksmiths, weavers or tanners. The Falasha are especially known for their clay-figures which resemble the different histories of Judaism. The Falasha are also famous as silversmiths. The Star of David which they produce is a jewish symbol of faith and is said to bring a good fortune.
The Falasha Jews are the oldest group within jewish diaspora. Alike the ethiopian Amharas they believe to be direct decendants from the connection of Mekeda, the Queen of Saba with Solomon, the King of Israel. Other sources tend to see the origin of the ethiopian Jews in one of the ten tribes of Israel, which had separated from the original twelve tribes. They are said to be the lost tribe of Dan which immigrated to Ethiopia through the egyptian desert. During the 16th century the ethiopian Jews owned their own kingdom in the western Ethiopia.
The term "Falasha" in Ethiopia also applies to strangers or loners so the Falashas prefer to call themselves Beta Israel, meaning "The House of Israel". As also in Europe the Jews in Ethiopia often were subject to animosities and persecution. During the terrorregime of marxist dictator Mengistu (1977-1991) the situation of the ethiopian Jews got increasingly worse. Amongst other accusations they were said to be responsible for the famine and bad crops occuring during the 80ies. The israeli Government acknowledged the ethiopian Jews officially as the Beta Israel in 1973 and declared that the israeli-repatriation laws would also apply to them.
By a number of actions of which some were quite spectacular, till the year 1991 thousands of ethiopian Jews were flown out to Israel (e.g. 1985, operation Moses, flying out 15.000 Jews or operation Salomo with 14.000 Jews).
Rastafarians in Ethiopia
For members of the Rastafari movement Ethiopia is the biblical Zion and the small city of Shashemene is the wordly centerpart of their belief and worship. They believe to be part of the biblical Israel, now living in captivity and diaspora and worship the former Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie, born as Ras Tafari Makonnen to be the prophecised messiah. The movement became known worldwide through the Rastafarian Bob Marley and his music.
Origin of the movement: The arising of the Rastafari movement dates back to the beginning of the twentieth century. In 1916 Marcus Garvey - originally born in Jamaica - founded the Universal Negro Improvement Assosiation (UNIA) in the USA which a.o. had the goal of repatriating all Africans taken into captivity and slavery as well as their descendants.When Marcus Garvey spoke the words: "Look to Africa, where a black king will be crowned! Through him the day of liberation will come!" he probably did not realize that these words would make him a prophet within the Rastafari movement. Today those prophetical words are said to have been spoken by Garveys wife in fact but that changed nothing to the matter that for the Rastafarians a divine prophecy became true, when Ras Tafari Makonnen, born in 1892, was crowned as the "Emperor of Ethiopia, Haile Selassie I, King of Kings, Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah.." in 1930.
A divine occasion: When Haile Selassie I visited Jamaica in 1966 he was given a grand welcome by the people, but a very chaotic one too. There had been no rain on the island for quite some time until the days when the emperor was to arrive when heavy rains poured from the sky. This went on until the very moment the plane from the Ethiopian Airlines got into view, when the clouds parted and the rain stopped as the four-engined Douglas set to land on a raindrenched airfield. Live-witnesses from that time claim to have seen a swarm of white doves following the plane, others a rainbow framing it, some even claim to have seen the stigmata of Christ in the hands of Haile Selassie I as he waved at them. Anyhow, the airfield was quickly swarmed with followers of Haile Selassie I. Any order or protocoll of an official State visit had simply vanished. Old films from those times show an airplane completely surrounded by cheering and dancing people, and a smiling Emperor up on the gangway.
Homeland Ethiopia: After his visit in Jamaica, Haile Selassie I was visited by a small delegation of the jamaican Rastafari movement.He granted them an area of land in the Arsi-region. This land, located around the small town of Shashemene, was to be built up and cultivated and was given to free responsibility for the Rastafari movement. Soon settlers from Jamaica came over and started constructing simple little houses, supported by the four Churches or "Houses" of Rastafari wich had established within the movement through time (Nyahbinghi, Bobo Ashanti, Twelve Tribes of Israel, Ethiopian World Federation). All four Houses have a Tabernacle or Headquarter in Shasemene and a number of followers of each Faith settling around the area, holding the land. By now, Rastas can be found in almost any part of Ethiopia though, since like all other immigrants as well, they are no longer subject to travel or settling-restrictions.
African Bible: Rastafarians believe to belong to the biblical people of Israel, which live in captivity and diaspora. The Bible in its modern ecclesiastical interpretation is said to be a misinterpretation which must be lead back to its original african roots and contents. In fact the biblical interpretations of the Rastafarians do bear quite some historical evidence which alignes with the ancient christian traditions of Ethiopia. One of the main goals is the "fighting down of Babylon", the downpressing "white" system in all its aspects, be they political, ecclesiastical .... as well as the Babylon (-education) within one self, in order to find back to the nature of beeing and to give up pride and ego. The goal is a re-concentration to Africa, an issue which is of great importance to Rastas of african heritage. But also Rastafarians without a direct african background see Ethiopia as the biblical Zion and seek to live there for spiritual reasons.
Hairstyle: Also in Ethiopia Rastafarians are identified easily through their hairstyle, known as Dreadlocks. The origin of this kind of hairstyle can be seen in the vow of the Nazarene (Num. 6) where it is said that any razor or similar upon a mans head is to be avoided and the hair shall grow freely. This naturally leads to filthy trodds of hair. A biblical predecessor of this oath was Samson, who by Gods command gained his power through his unshaven hair. Other sources say that the early Rastafarians saw pictures of the socalled “Mountain lions” These were special imperial troops which had sworn, not to see a barber until the Italians were chased out of the country. On some old pictures one can in fact see soldiers with a wild unkempt mane, so some of the early Rastafarians took their influences from there and see their dreads as a uniform for JAH soldiers, fighting against Babylon.
Wellknown Music: The Rastafari-culture as well as its philosophy was made known worldwide by the Reggae-pioneer Bob Marley. Many Musicians and followers of the faith wear the Ethiopian national colours as well as the Lion of Judah as a symbol of their loalty to the ethiopian empire. Until today there are many various bands, styles and streams within reggae music and also in Ethiopia the reggae influence is one of the most obvious of all, which the Rastafari movement has had there. So even local bands and recordings will hardly do without reggae in one or the other form. Ethiopian reggae – musicians like Tedi Afro or Eyob for example are well established within the public music scene.
