Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Ethiopia's History
From the ancient Aksumite civilisation's obelisks to the fascinating architectural wonders
of medieval Lalibela to the castles of Gonder to the communist monuments of the Derg,
Ethiopia wears its history on its sleeve. And what a history it is.
WHICH HISTORY?
This chapter contains the factual 'real' history that historians like to use, but it's important to remember that for the
majority of Ethiopians this isn't the history they believe in. In Ethiopia, like in much of Africa, legends concerning
magical deeds, ghostly creatures and possibly nonexistent folk heroes are not just legends, but are taken as solid
fact, and who cares if the historians say the dates and places don't add up! History is what you make of it and how
you translate it, so just because there is no historical evidence proving that the Queen of Sheba existed, the people
believe she did and recount it as their history, so in Ethiopia that makes her real. It is important to keep this in mind
when travelling through Ethiopia. You will find this 'people's history' recounted throughout this topic.
