Foto: The fallen stelae of Axum (bron: Ronald van der Veer)
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 of the pillar. Seeing the simple and small foundation, I am not surprised the tower fell. Another pillar is so crooked that it needs to be supported. The 24-meter-high stele stands upright. This stele was recently placed. In 1936, this tower was moved to Rome during the Italian occupation. After long negotiations, the tower was moved back to Axum in 2004. A real asset. The mausoleum under the stelae is closed this week for restoration. Mook tries to find someone with a key but to no avail. However, he can show me another underground tomb. In a small room lies a gravestone. No opening has been found, and possibly human remains still lie inside. Recently, a second chamber was discovered here. Possibly many undiscovered chambers remain in this field of stelae. I quickly finish looking at the museum. At the exit, I order a coffee. The coffee is prepared with a special coffee ceremony. The coffee is roasted, finely ground, and prepared with incense. The coffee cannot taste anything but delicious.
Fasil Ghebbi fort of Emperor Fasilides
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 ...
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 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 ...