Gambia - The stone circles of Wassu
Foto: The palace of Emperor Fasiladas (bron: Ronald van der Veer)
Ethiopia - Until 1855, Gondar was the capital of Ethiopia. Emperor Fasiladas had his palace built within the walled Fasil Ghebbi. He broke with the tradition of emperors wandering nomadically through the empire. His son, after taking power, had a second palace built next to his father’s palace. Over time, six palaces have arisen within the walls of Fasil Ghebbi. When I enter Fasil Ghebbi, I immediately see the palace of Fasiladas. A square castle with three floors. Each corner of the palace has a round tower with a dome on top. This palace, as well as the others, suffered heavily from British bombings in 1941. Italy had occupied Ethiopia as a colonizer. With British support, the Ethiopians expelled the Italians. Because the Italians had their headquarters around Gondar, heavy fighting took place here. Part of the historic palaces in Gondar was irreparably damaged. UNESCO restored the palace to its original state. I walk past the palaces, climb some old stairs, and wander through the ruins. What a beautiful environment. I am impressed. Fortunately, this place is protected by UNESCO. Outside the walled complex, I visit the Church of Debra Berhan Selassie. Emperor Iyasu the Great, the grandson of Fasiladas, had this Orthodox church built at the end of the 17th century. The church has beautiful murals. The images depict the New Testament. Since people could not read in the past, the story of Jesus was shown in paintings. Finally, I visit the bath of Emperor Fasiladas in Gondar. Around this old open-air bath, the Timkat festival is held annually. I see old trees that have grown into the wall. The roots of the trees have grown into the wall. Stands are set up around the bath. I try to imagine all the stands full of people. During the festival, people jump into the sacred water of the bath. This festival must be special.
Gelada baboons in the Simien Mountains
Ethiopia - In the afternoon, I go to the Semien Mountains for a nature walk. For this, the guide Ababa accompanies me. She explains that the nature park has the highest mountains in Ethiopia. The highest peak is over four thousand meters. For safety, two armed soldiers ...
The Rock Churches of Lalibela
Ethiopia - Lalibela is famous for its eleven rock-hewn churches, carved from stone by order of King Lalibela. He intended these churches to be a representation of Jerusalem. The churches are grouped into two clusters. Today, I am visiting the first group. First, ...
The Stelae of Axum
Ethiopia - Back in the center of Axum, Mook shows me the stelae. Tall pillars that served as grave monuments. The tallest stele is 24 meters high. There once was a stele of 33 meters, but it fell down. You can walk under the rubble. I am amazed by the colossal blocks ...
The tribes of Southern Ethiopia
Ethiopia - Makonnen enters the bus. A young man just thirty years old with large rasta dreadlocks. A striking appearance. He is the leader of the Dorze village. He accompanies us to Chencha for the weekly market. Chencha is another seven kilometers further. When ...