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

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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