Timeless Ethiopia

The solid gold medal is referred to as the “Imperial Order of the Star of Ethiopia” and is touted for having once belonged to Emperor Haile Selassie’s fabled son-in-law, a noble executed by Italian troops nearly 90 years ago. Yet whether the star is authentic is at the center of a heated dispute between its owner, a European medal designer who recently sought to auction it off, and the grandchildren of Ras Desta Damtew, the Ethiopian commander who is said to have worn it on his chest before he died. Continue reading...

Archaeological discovery at Melka Kunture, Ethiopia, reveals early human ancestors used volcanic rock spheres as tools over one million years ago. The find highlights the intelligence and creativity of archaic hominins, countering the perception of them as unthinking brutes. Dr. Margherita Mussi reported that naturally occurring basalt spheres were repurposed as hammering, crushing, and scraping tools by species like Homo erectus and Homo heidelbergensis. The spheres were found alongside intentionally crafted tools from the Acheulean industry, dating back two million years. Researchers noted the uniqueness of these volcanic spheres, which differ from surrounding limestone-based tools. Over 30 spheres were recovered from eight sites, with significant findings at Gombore IB, dating back 1.7 million years. Evidence suggests the spheres were intentionally transported by hominins rather than naturally moved, indicating advanced resource exploitation. Mussi proposes the volcanic spheres were...

A warning from the Lion of Judah - by REX SMITH - Substack : The Emperor of Ethiopia , Haile Selassie , in 1970. His words from nine decades ago ring true today. (Official portrait). During the summers of my ...

Bringing a tyrannical Ethiopian queen and her twins to life - BBC : The production features an original Ethio-jazz score by DA Mekonnen, an Ethiopian -American musician, and Andrew Orkin - and features the Ethiopian - ...

Fasilides Castle is a significant historical site, with cultural and architectural importance. Tension exists between restoration efforts and preservation: some advocate for restoration, while others prefer to maintain its current state as a symbol of history. Perspectives from historians, architects, and local communities shape the discussion around the castle's fate. The issue highlights the challenges of balancing modern development with historical preservation in urban settings. The outcome of this debate may influence Ethiopia's cultural heritage and urban planning strategies. Continue Reading...

This week marks the 50th anniversary of the radical land reform encapsulated by the “Proclamation to Provide for the Public Ownership of Rural Lands.” The proclamation was profound and marked a significant milestone in fundamentally shaping agrarian relations in rural Ethiopia, with even broader ramifications. Fifty years on, this phenomenal epoch in the political history of Ethiopia warrants a thorough reflection as to its merits, promises, and predicaments that rendered it less effective than it could have been. Before that, however, it is necessary to briefly recap the significance of land. Continue Reading...

Anti-colonial Narrations: Ethiopian Victory at the Battle of Adwa over Italy and The March 1st ... : Even as an Ethiopian , I truly did not understand the scale of its global impact until I recently started researching the issue in preparation for a ...

Only 26 African countries had achieved independence when, in February 1961, Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie ascended a sloping staircase to inaugurate Africa Hall in Addis Ababa, which he gifted as the new headquarters for the UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA). Continue Reading...