Ethiopia's first contacts:

Ethiopia has been a well known country for centuries, and had many trade encounters. Dating all the way back to the time of Sheba, and when people came to Ethiopia for gold. Ethiopia is a large nation in Africa and is more accessible than others. Ethiopia has made relations with Islamic nations and The Portuguese.

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Islamic people came into the Empire of Aksum in the 1400's to explore the land and settle as requested by Mohamed. The Portuguese came to Ethiopia in the legend of Prester John to find a Christian nation supposed to be in Ethiopia. Ethiopia is in The Horn Of Africa which makes trade more accessible and was throughout the centuries. The location instigated the meeting point in Ethiopia for trade by European, Asian, and middle eastern countries. Also, religion brought many people to Ethiopia, for the Christianity. Middle Eastern countries brought Islam to Ethiopia. For the Middle East, Ethiopian slaves were desired. Many were moved to Islamic countries for various labor opportunities. 2

The various reasons countries have came to Ethiopia, has affected the nation in different ways. For instance Middle eastern countries coming to Ethiopia, caused a war and change of religious beliefs. The Islamic people in the 1400s had a war with Ethiopian Christians that changed the nations kingdom and many beliefs. Now Ethiopia is a nation that is Islamic and Christian. The location of Ethiopia being so available for trade routes has led to expansions and it becoming a route for traders

Sources:

(1) http://apworldhistorypd5.weebly.com/east-asia.html

(2)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slavery_in_Ethiopia#Arab_slave_trade

Trade and Resources in Ethiopia

Ethiopias natural resources:

Ethiopia has old legends about it's resources from the well-known story of the Queen of Sheba who had many riches. Ethiopia still has valuable resouces, but unfortunately not as many as it was once known for. Ethiopia's natural resources are small reserves of gold, platinum, copper, potash, natural gas, hydropower. 1

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One of the most valuable resources in Ethiopia is the soil for agriculture. Occasionally the soil suffers from erosion. Ethiopia is primarily an agricultural country. Ethiopia does very well in farming. Ethiopia is severely lacking compared to other countries on it's resources, and a lot of their goods are imported. Ethiopia does not have a lot of minerals to offer, besides some gold they are known for. Hydro power is a resource used in Ethiopia that is slowly becoming popular. This is used for power from their natural rivers and lakes, which provides useful. 3

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Ethiopia's economy is not doing the greatest because of its need to import what they lack. Ethiopia's resources have definitely decreased over the years, leaving them in some debt. Back in biblical times Ethiopia was known for its gold, and trading dating all the way back then. Ethiopia has always been one of the countries people have had trading routes through, since it is one of the more accessible countries. Ethiopia's Kingdom of Aksum in the AD was known as a trading post. In the current times Ethiopia has to have imports from other nations such as, China, which has led them into debt and made trading more difficult. 5

 

 

 

Sources:
1: http://www.indexmundi.com/ethiopia/natural_resources.html

2: image from Yahoo images derived from:

3: http://kids.britannica.com/comptons/article-200397/Ethiopia

4: image from yahoo derived from www.mapcruzin.com

5: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingdom_of_Aksum

Ethiopia's Religion and Origins

Ethiopia: Religion and Origins

Ethiopia is a long standing religious country in Africa, and is mentioned all the way back to biblical times. Ethiopia is made up of Abrahamic religions the biggest being Christianity, and the second Islam. Of course their are branches of the Christian faith in Ethiopia including; Ethiopian Orthodoxy, Protestant, and Catholicism. Ethiopian Orthodoxy is the largest religious group in Ethiopia. 1

2

Christianity:

Ethiopia is one of the oldest Christian countries in the world. Aksum, one of Ethiopias most famous cities where Christianity began, dating back to 4th century AD. Aksum became a Christian nation when two Syrian Christians came to Ethiopia and converted the King Ezana. 3Ethiopia is in the bible in the Old Testament and new. Ethiopia also considers itself once Judaic and the roots of The Orthodox church in Ethiopia are founded on Judaism. In African Myths Of Origin, Christianity was believed to be brought to the nation in the myth of Solomon and The Queen of Sheba. In this story Solomon tells the Queen of his faith and carried it on with her. In Ethiopia many also believe The Ark of The Covenant is in the city of Aksum.

Aksum Ruins
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Islam In Ethiopia

Islam dates back to being founded in Ethiopia in 615 AD when muslims found refuge in Ethiopia. The Kingdom of Aksum let them stay. Later, Muslims settled in the city of Negash and became a place of Islam faith in Ethiopia.Although at first Muslims did not harm Ethiopians and the religion spread to the reigion of Harar. 5In 1528 a Muslim leader Ahmed Gragn destroyed churches and reaked havoc amoung the Christian faith in Ethiopia. This war caused the destruction of many monuments and caused a minor takeover. For the most part today Muslims and Christians get along in Ethiopia and live in different areas. Most Ethiopian muslims are now Sunni.

 

 

 

Sources:

1) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion_in_Ethiopia

2) Yahoo Images

3.)http://www.ethiopiantreasures.co.uk/pages/religion.htm

4.) Yahoo Images

5.)http://www.ethiopiantreasures.co.uk/pages/rel-war.htm

 

Book Source:

African Myths of Origin, Penguin Classics. Stephen Belcher



 

 

 

History of Ethiopia: 2

The Art and Music of Ethiopia

Art:

One of the styles of art found in the country of Ethiopia are church style paintings and crosses for religious purposes. Since, Ethiopia is mentioned in the bible, these religious style paintings have been found in Ethiopia for hundreds of years.1 Afework Tekle is a popular artist from Ethiopia who does this style of paintings.

A piece from Afework Tekle displaying religious themes





Another example of art from Ethiopia's past are it's works of stone monuments. "The monumental Stelae of Aksum." Aksum is an ancient city in Ethiopia where stone monuments have survived from 3rd and 4th century A.D. These monuments were cut from rock walls and dragged by man power to create. There are several tombs in this area, and believed that the monuments and great designs ranged from peoples social status's. These stelaes were apparently put up around the same time Aksum adopted christianity as their religion. 2

A decorated Stelae from Aksum

Music:

Music in Ethiopia ranges in styles due to its many ethnic groups. In The Horn Of Africa where Ethiopia is located traditional folk music is popular. Religious music is also very popular throughout Ethiopia since it is a primarily religious country. In The Northeast of Ethiopia a muslim musical style  called Manzuma formed. Manzuma is sung in the Oromo language. Another musical style is located in Ethiopia's highlands and is traditional contemporary music called "azmaris." 3 Types of instruments found in Ethiopia are; Chordophones, Aerophones, idiophones, and membranophones.

An Example of an Ethiopian Intrument: The Krar: A Chordophone

 

Flags of Ethiopia:

 

 

 

This flag is Ethiopia's original flag. This flag dates back to the 17th Century. The colors red, yellow, and green are still used on the flag today. This flag was important in The Ethiopian Empire's Solomonic dynasty.4

 

 

This flag is The Empire Flag. The green represented the nations land, yellow its christianity, and red the power of the nation. The lion is The Lion of Judah and represents the nations christianity during The 19th Century when this flag was made.

 

Current Ethiopian Flag

 

 

 

Ethiopia has had several flags created over the hundreds of years, this is Ethiopias most current flag created in 1996. The green stands for fertility, yellow stands for hope and justice, and lastly the red for sacrifice. The star is placed in the middle as a symbol for unity and the future.5

 

 

Sources:

 

1.) http://ethiopianculture.org/art.html

 

2.)http://metmuseum.org/toah/hd/aksu_2/hd_aksu_2.htm

 

3.) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_Ethiopia

 

4.)http://www.ethiopianflag.net/

 

5.)http://www.sharyemtours.com/home/map.html