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The prince and the adventurer
By Wight Living
Prince Alemayehu Tewodros (Photo: Julia Margaret Cameron.)
FOR ME, one of the most haunting of all the images captured by Victorian photographer Julia Margaret Cameron is of an Ethiopian prince and his captor.
The picture illustrates the paradoxes of Britain’s 19th century imperial adventure.
By 1900, the British Empire controlled a quarter of the planet. Although ultimately enforced...
Does African Diplomacy Remember Heroes?
Ketema Yifru and Emperor Haile Selassie (Photo: www.oau-creation.com )
By Makonnen Ketema
In the past couple of months, we have been hearing about the 50th Anniversary of the Organization of African Unity (OAU). A committee has been formed to celebrate the anniversary of the inception of Africa’s continental organization, now known as the African Union (AU).
As I am not privy to the details,...
Governor of Lazio calls for withdrawal of funds for Graziani monument
Nicola Zingaretti, the governor of Lazio region, one of the 20 administrative regions of Italy, has called on regional offices and the residents of the town of Affile to cut the funds of the controversial monument dedicated to the fascist general, Marshal Rodolpho Graziani.
According to the governor, the unilateral decision of the Municipality of Affile is “deeply flawed, not only because it is...
Time for Begena
Ethiopian Orthodox Church Choir members playing the Begena (Photo:thereporterethiopia.com)
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – This time around during the lent season, while traveling in mini-bus taxis, having coffee at a café, or wandering around the churches one can hear the deep-sonorous voice.
Ten strings hanging from a short bar at the top joined by two parallel sticks and a leather-made sound-box...
Heritage Project Announced for Religious Ethiopian Site
The Ethiopian Authority for Research and Conservation of Cultural Heritage (ARCCH) has announced a new heritage project for a region of northern Ethiopia in an attempt to preserve a sacred pilgrimage site.
The project will aim to preserve the structures of 11 monolithic World-Heritage listed churches built in the 12th and 13th centuries by King Lalibela. The region has become an important pilgrimage...
Ethiopians find common ground with coffee
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – Described by many experts as the birthplace of coffee, Ethiopians are hopeful that one of their ancient traditions can help bring the country together even as it becomes more and more divided politically, socially and economically.
Villagers in Ethiopia say the act of drinking coffee “is transformational as each cup changes the inner persona of the one who drinks it.”
It...
Ethiopia trying to restore lost heritage
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia - Ethiopia is battling to bring back more than three thousand artifacts scattered around the globe, a substantial part of its historic heritage.
According to Wolde Darsema from the Heritage Authority, thousands of historic items, ranging from the monumental to the miniscule, are to be found in museums or in private hands in France, Israel, Vatican, Germany, Italy, the UK and...
Abyssinian Christianity: The First Christian Nation?
For centuries, historians have widely accepted the argument that Armenia was the first Christian nation. Armenia’s claim on this meaningful title is primarily based upon the celebrated 5th century work of Agathangelos’ The History of the Armenians. In it, he says that after the Armenian King Trdat III was baptised c. 301/314, he decreed Christianity was the state religion. While one cannot...
Ethiopia elects Patriarch of Orthodox Church
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia - The Ethiopian Orthodox Church has elected a new patriarch to replace the previous head who died in August, officials said Thursday.
“Abune Matthias… arch-bishop of Jerusalem (for the Ethiopian church) was elected with a majority,” said Daniel Sefermikael, a church official.
He said Matthias got about 500 out of 806 votes cast by members of the church living...
Food fiesta brings out culture
By Charlene Macauly
Melbourne, Australia – COFFEE is more than just a drink to Ethiopians – it’s a way of life.
Elise Wozene performs a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony. Picture: CHARLENE MACAULAY
On a typical day, Ethiopians can participate in several coffee ceremonies, with each one taking up to an hour to perform as the coffee beans are roasted, ground and brewed.
The coffee...
