Ethiopian Culture!

Multi-Media

Ethiopia’s history and culture has been shaped by its rich traditions, and religious backgrounds.  Ethiopia is one of the oldest formed countries in Africa, located in The Horn Of Africa. Ethiopia is mentioned twice in the bible, in the stories of Philip and in the story of Solomon and The Queen of Sheba.  These stories have helped shaped Ethiopia as a primarily Christian nation. Solomon is rumored to be one of Ethiopia’s first missionaries, in him bringing Christianity back to Ethiopia through Sheba.

   Ethiopia remains traditionally religious even in today, with the same customs and backgrounds. They have managed to stay this way as a country through their religious practices remaining the same. The primary religion in Ethiopia is Christianity with many sects to it. There are however; many who practice Islam in Ethiopia as well. The branches of Christianity in Ethiopia are Ethiopian Orthodoxy, Protestant, and Catholicism. Ethiopian Orthodoxy is the largest group in Ethiopia; this also proving Ethiopia is a largely traditional country. Ethiopian Orthodoxy derives from traditions, and remains to be the oldest and largest.

   One of the roots that show the tradition remained of Christianity being the center of Ethiopian culture is the Aksum Kingdom dating back to 4^th century AD. The Aksum Kingdom is what claimed Ethiopia’s religion to be Christianity and has primarily remained a Christian nation ever since. The king Ezana was converted when two Christian Syrians came to spread the gospel to him, thus him making Christianity the official religion.  Although Christianity has remained prevalent through Ethiopia, there have been hiccups in the past and wars with Islam.

   Islam came into Ethiopia when Muslim’s were sent by Mohammed to the country to settle and spread roots. The two religions started out peacefully in Ethiopia, and didn’t have problems for a little bit of time. Things changed in 1528 when a Muslim violent leader Ahmed Gragn destroyed churches and wanted to spread Islam through Ethiopia with force, and make it the primary religion.  This war against Christians wreaked havoc at this time, and destroyed the peace and tradition of Ethiopia for a brief period. Although, Ethiopia continues to be a sound traditional country today, they have had their past struggles in order to keep their traditional values alive. This past war was one of Ethiopia’s struggles. This war cost many valuable monuments from The Aksum Kingdom to be lost, but the remains can still be found in Ethiopia today. In today’s time for the most part Christians and Muslims in Ethiopia live peacefully amongst one another. Most Christians and Muslims in Ethiopia live in different areas of the country, and most Muslims in Ethiopia are Sunni.

  Ethiopia’s past is what keeps it alive as a traditional nation. For instance; it’s myths of religious stories are what keep Christianity as such as major part of the culture. These myths include, Solomon, Sheba and Solomon’s supposed son and The Ark Of The Covenant, The legend of Prester John, and the biblical story of Philip. Christianity has been so spread through Ethiopia, because of its access being in The Horn of Africa. Unlike other African nations, Ethiopia has easy access and was used heavily as a trade center. Ethiopia being used as a trade center is what helped Christianity spread, through European missionaries coming through, and the influence of Ethiopia already being a Christian nation, other people coming in made it even more prevalent.

  Ethiopia holds pride in it being a country that has stayed true with its past and religious traditions. Ethiopia has not changed much as a nation in Africa, and remains with its traditional culture. This traditional culture is placed in their music, and art. Ethiopia’s value with the Christian faith shows in their religious themed art work, and music. Ethiopia is known for its stain glass, and art about Christianity. Ethiopian music has also remained traditional in its taste. The same instruments have been used for years, and the same religious stories are told through them.

https://youtu.be/O1B9f3aOAVg  This link provides insight on Ethiopian style of music

   Ethiopia has also been able to stay as a whole country and intact with their culture by never really being colonized and changed. Ethiopia only had a brief encounter with colonization when Italy was in the country for a short amount of time. Ethiopia didn’t have kingdoms or hierarchy when The African Scramble was happening, so they were able to keep their countries borders whole and were also given the region of Ogaden. This however; became an issue with Somalia who wanted this territory back as theirs.

    A struggle of keeping Ethiopia’s sacred values of culture alive has been Ethiopia’s border issues with countries. Ethiopia has had few conflicts, but the ones it has been with are a few of its border countries. Like most African Countries, they have all mostly had struggles with one another in defining borders and regions. The Somalia conflict led to tensions with the two countries over borders. Eventually Somalia was given this territory back just to keep the tensions settled between Ethiopia and Somalia. This conflict did change borders in Ethiopia, but the people have remained to stick with Ethiopian customs, rather than Somalian ones.

   Another issue among borders with Ethiopia and Ethiopia trying to remain whole as a country with less border issues is the one with the country of Eritrea. In short, Eritrea wanted to secede from Ethiopia and be its own nation. This problem of Eritrea wanting to secede caused a major war between Eritrea and Ethiopia. Obviously Ethiopia takes pride in staying a nation and traditional, so this caused big problems of a border war. This war was recent and raged from the 2000-2009. Eventually, other nations got involved and each country had to pay each other compensations for the damages done. Eritrea and Ethiopia still to this day have conflicts and tensions. This problem between Eritrea and Ethiopia poses as a threat to keeping Ethiopia solid as a nation, and is an issue of security.

  In conclusion, Ethiopia’s history is what has made it the country it is today. It has remained traditional in its beliefs because of the nation’s past. Christianity has made its mark on Ethiopia; it has influenced their art and music. Christianity has influenced almost every ounce of the nation Ethiopia is today. Ethiopia has had its struggles in remaining intact with its wars in the past, and border issues, but despite these things has remained primarily the same as a country. Ethiopia is known for being a country today as strong in its roots and traditional culture.

 

 

Link to my video presentation

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2obOIGaImY

Ethiopian Change

Ethiopia's Change: Borders, politics, and identity.

Ethiopia is an African country that has remained with it's tradition throughout the years and stability; however there have been few changes in this country. Ethiopia is bordered by several countries; Eritrea to the north, Djibouti and Somalia to the east, Sudan and South Sudan to the west, and Kenya to the South. Ethiopia has had border conflicts with Somalia and Eritrea.1

2

 

During The African Scramble Ethiopia did not have issues with their borders because Ethiopia did not have kingdoms that gave way to how European colonies split up Africa. Ethiopia was never really colonized by Europe, which has made Ethiopia stay the nation it is today. Ethiopia was only colonized by Italy for a short period of time. This is one of the main reasons Ethiopia has had few changes, and is known for being a traditional country. Ethiopia's conflict with Somalia was from the reigion Ethiopia was assigned, Ogaden. Somalia wanted to claim this reigion back, and posed a threat to Ethiopia. This changed the borders in Ethiopia, with Somalians being in what was once Ethiopia's land. This Ogaden ordeal changed who lived in the country and the border of Ogaden being split. Somalia was still colonized by the British during this time. This conflict lasted from the 1940's-2009. This was all over territorial dispute, which seems to be an issue in Africa between countries borders because of The African Scramble. 3

 

Ethiopia's other conflict was with the country of Eritrea. Eritrea wanted to secede from Ethiopia. This caused a major war between countries. This war raged through the 2000's and by 2009 Eritrea and Ethiopia has to pay each other compensation for the war. Eritrea and Ethiopia still have issues towards each other and tensions. 4

 

The tensions between certain bordering nations have changed Ethiopia in being on their guard. For the most part Ethiopia has only had change in their borders, and political issues with surrounding nations. Ethiopia continues to be a traditionally sound, almost untouched nation.

 

 

Works Cited

 

1 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethiopia

 

2 www.gov.uk

 

3 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethiopian%E2%80%93Somali_conflict

 

4 http://www.eritrea.be/old/eritrea-ethiopia.htm

 

 

 



Ethiopia Missions

Missions in Ethiopia:

Ethiopia has been a well known religious country for centuries now. Ethiopia tales of religion date all the way back and are even mentioned in the bible. The biblical stories of Solomon and The Queen of Sheba, and Philip and The Ethiopian Eunuch are a few mission stories that relate to Ethiopia's missions start. Solomon can even be considered Ethiopia's first missionary due to him telling The Queen Of Sheba about the one true God. This has made an impact on Ethiopia being primarily a Christian nation. Ethiopian Orthodoxy is Ethiopia's main branch of the Christian religion. 1

2

Although Ethiopia is a mainly Christian country, Islam and Judaism are part of their religions too, from the mission work from those religions. Islam in Ethiopia can date back to 615, when Muslims were sent by Muhammed to Ethiopia. This bringing the spread of Islam to areas of Ethiopia, and making it part of the culture. Islam impacted Ethiopia by it starting a war amoungst Christians and Muslims. The Kingdom of Aksum was partially destroyed and Islam took over for a couple of centuries. Most Ethiopian Muslims are Sunni muslim and only few Sufi. Today in Ethiopia's capital there are about one million Muslims. 3


Judaism also has a small group in Ethiopia with a strong following. There is a group of African Jews in Ethiopia who have existed for centuries as a people group. They were there own small community, but are now accepted by the Israeli Government as Jews since 1975. The small community still exists in Ethiopia, but most have converted to Christianity.

Ethiopia is a known traditionally religious country in Africa. Christianity has progressed in Ethiopia and is reigning to be the number one religion in Ethiopia with branches of Orthodoxy, Catholicism, and Protestant. However; Islam is the second largest religion in Ethiopia and still exists today, since its start in The Aksum Kingdom and its spread. Ethiopia remains to be a country focused on traditions, and keeping their religious practices alive.

Sources:

 

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

 

(2) http://missionethiopia.com/about/mission-ethiopia-logo/

 

(3) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islam_in_Ethiopia



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.

1

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

2

 

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

4

 

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
4

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