Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
LALIBELA & THE ZAGWE DYNASTY
The 12th century witnessed a new capital (Adafa) rise in the mountains of Lasta, not far
from present-day Lalibela. It was established under a new power: the Zagwe dynasty.
Although the Zagwe dynasty reigned from
around AD 1137 to 1270, and left the rock-
hewn churches of Lalibela, this period is
shrouded in mystery. Seemingly, no stones were
inscribed, no chronicles written, no coins min-
ted, and no accounts of the dynasty by foreign
travellers have survived.
It's not certain what brought the Zagwe dynasty to an end; it was likely a combination of
infighting within the ruling dynasty and local opposition from the clergy. In 1270 the dyn-
asty was overthrown by Yekuno Amlak; political power shifted south to the historical
province of Shoa.
Check out J Spencer Trimingham's Islam in
Ethiopia for an insight into Ethiopia's second-most
popular religion.
 
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