Introduction to Ethiopian Heritages

Izmir Katip Celebi University Department of Tourism Management (PhD Program) Course Title: Cultural Area Management Course Instructor: Yrd. Doรง. Dr. Aytuฤ ARSLAN

Introduction of Ethiopian Heritages

By

Mohammed Jemal Ahmed, PhD Student Date: 10/10/2017

I. Introduction: • Ethiopia is a country located in the Horn of Africa • It was known as Abyssinia until the twentieth century.

• It also known as Habesha mainly in Islamic world still now • It is the oldest independent country in Africa • Ethiopia is the first black state which defeat the whites in history

Introduction …

• It is bounded on the Northeast by Eritrea and Djibouti, on the east and Southeast by Somalia, on the south by Kenya , in west by South Sudan and on the west and Northwest by Sudan • Above 86 Ethnic Groups • 102 Million Population • Tourism Motto: “Land of Origins” • The current flag of Ethiopia was adopted 1996 and • It is a green-yellow-red tricolour with the national emblem in the centre.

Introduction …

• Since 1995, Ethiopia has been divided into 9 regions based on ethnic lines and two City administratives.

• These are Tigray, • Afar, Amhara, • Oromia, Somali, Benishangul, Southern Peoples' State, • Gambella, Harar.

• Addis Ababa and • DireDawa Cities

ADDIS ABABA, Capital City • Founded in 1880s by Empress Taytu • At a staggering 2,500 metres above sea level • Seat of AU • A Museums, Modern Hotels

II. World Heritages of Ethiopia • Ethiopia has more UNESCO World Heritage Sites than any country in Africa

What is Heritage?

• Heritage can be defined as any man made or natural objects that can be used, preserved and transmitted from generation to generation.

• Broadly speaking, Heritage can be divided into cultural heritage and natural heritage.

• Cultural heritages can be seen as any man made material and non-material things by which the values, cultures, beliefs, and attitudes of the society are manifested as well as transmitted from one generation to the next.

• Cultural heritages are divided into tangible and intangible heritages.

• Tangible cultural heritages are those cultural items which can be touched and observed.

• It is the material aspect of culture

What is heritage?...

• Intangible cultural heritages are cultural heritages that includes oral traditions; performing arts like music, dances; social practices, rituals and festive events; and knowledge and skills of peoples • Ethiopia is a country where different nations, nationalities and peoples are living in harmony by practicing their own cultures.

• This is to mean that, Ethiopia is a land where different nations live in unity by accepting and appreciating the existing cultural diversity.

• Throughout their long history, every nations of Ethiopia creates its own heritages that vividly describe its cultures and identities.

World Heritages of Ethiopia • It has about 12 World Heritages registered by UNESCO (9 Tangibles and 3 intangibles)

1. Axum: inscribed by UNESCO in 1980 • Located in Tigray Region of North Ethiopia • the ruins of the city of Aksum, dating from the 1st to the 13th century • It has monolithic obelisks, giant stelae, royal tombs, and ruins of former castle

World Heritages of Ethiopia…

• 2. Fasil Ghebbi, Gondar: Registered by UNESCO in 1978 • Found Northern Ethiopia, Amhara, Region • The fortress was the palace of the Ethiopian emperors during the 16th and 17th century.

3. Simien National Park It is one of the first sites to be made a World Heritage Site

by UNESCO in 1978 Simien National Park, in northern Ethiopia is a spectacular landscape. The Park has a global significance for biodiversity conservation since it is home to globally threatened species, including the iconic Walia ibex, a wild mountain goat found nowhere else in the world, the Gelada Baboon and the Ethiopian wolf

World Heritages of Ethiopia…

• 4. the Fortified Historic City, Harar Jugol: • Registerd in 2006 • Located in Eastern Ethiopia, Harari Region • the Fortified Historic Town • It contains 82 mosques, 102 shrines, and unique interior design in the townhouses.

• Harar is said to be the fourth-holiest city of Islam

World Heritages of Ethiopia…

5. Konso Cultural Landscape: Registered by UBSECO in 2011 • Located Southern Ethiopia • The site features 55 kilometres (34 mi) of stonewalled terraces and fortified settlements in the Konso highlands of Ethiopia

World Heritage of Ethiopia

…

6. Lower Valley of the Awash: Registered in 1980 • Located in East Ethiopia, Afar Region • Palaentological findings from at least four million years ago, such as Lucy, give evidence of human evolution • Lucy was found by Donald Johanson (link is external) and Tom Gray on November 24, 1974, at the site of Hadar in Ethiopia • Lucy is dated to just less than 3.18 million years old.

World Heritages of Ethiopia…

7. Lower Valley of the Omo Registered bu UNESCO1980 • Located South Ethiopia • The prehistoric site near Lake Turkana is the location of many fossil findings, such as Homo gracilis Australopithicines, , .

World Heritages of Ethiopia‌

8. Rock-Hewn Churches, Lalibela; Reg. 1978 Located North Ethiopia, Amhara The site contains eleven medieval cave churches curved from a single rocks in the 13th century.

World Heritages of Ethiopia…

9. Tiya: Registered by UNESCO in 1980 • Located South Ethiopia • The archaeological site contains 36 monuments, which includes 32 carved stelae covered with symbols hard to decrypt

World Heritages of Ethiopia‌

10. Fiche Chamballala, New Year among the Sidama people: has been registered as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2015

World Heritages of Ethiopia…

• 11. Gada system, an indigenous democratic sociopolitical system of the Oromo, • Registered in 2016 • Intangible • Gada is a traditional system of governance used by the Oromo people in Ethiopia

World Heritages of Ethiopia…

• The system regulates political, economic, social and religious activities of the community dealing with issues such as conflict resolution, reparation and protecting women’s rights.

World Heritages of Ethiopia…

12.

Meskel Festival (Finding of True Cross) • Intangible • Registered in 2013 • commemoration feast of the finding of the True Holy Cross of Christ on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

III. Other Heritages and Tourist Attractions of Ethiopia • 3.1. Events and Festivals : Arafa and Eid Al Fatir Festivals

• Ethiopia is well know in athletics • The Great Mass Running in Africa • Each Year December, Conducted in avenue of Addis Ababa • Highly attracting International Tourist

• Nation Nationalities day of Ethiopia Celebrated at each year of December 29 All Ethnic groups expected to show their cultures wearing style Sponsored by state

The source of Nile River

• Blue Nile river in northeastern Africa, 1,370 km (850 mi) long.

• It rises from northwestern Ethiopia, flows south and then west in Ethiopia, and follows a northwestern course in Sudan before merging, at Khartoum, with the White Nile to form the Nile proper.

• The Blue Nile, which contributes about two-thirds of the water of the Nile, is known as the Abbai in Ethiopia, where it, in part, flows through a deep gorge

The Land of the First Hijira of Islam • The first Muslims in Ethiopia were refugees from Mecca, persecuted by the new leading tribe, the reactionary Quraysh.

• They were honerly received by the ruler of Ethiopia, whom Arabic tradition was named Ashama ibn Abjar, and he settled them in Negash.

• Located in the northern Tigray province, Negash is the historical center of Islam in Ethiopia and parts of East Africa • The Nejashi Mosque is one of the world’s earliest mosques, built in the 7th century by the companions of Prophet Mohammed, who – exiled from Arabia by the Qurayshi pagans – came to Ethiopia, where they found a welcome refuge.

• Located in tTigray State some 800 kilometers from Addis Ababa, the Islamic monument is now undergoing major renovations thanks to the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA).

Traditional Hair Dressings and Jewelry

Various Scenic landscapes

Traditional Houses

Traditional Dressing

Farming in Ethiopia

THE LAND OF ORIGINS