Image Page on Ethiopia


Outline

  1. Landscapes
  2. Cities
  3. Landmarks
  4. Images of People
  5. Images from the book

1 Landscapes

A canyon with a mountain in the background

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The single largest geographical feature on earth belongs to Africa and is called the Great Rift Valley or East African Rift Valley. It is a 6,000 km long tectonic vault which is tens of millions of years old. The Ethiopian portion runs from the Red Sea in the North to the Northern Kenyan border but continues to run south all the way to Mozambique in Southern Africa. This picture was taken in the Southern part which is less populated given the environment. You will find everything from rifts such as this to volcanos as well as lakes that were formed during the Ice age. It is an important piece to the puzzle of human evolution. Within this region hominid fossils are proof that that the environment changes that occurred here may have led to the evolution of man becoming bipedal in attempt to adapt to the environmental pressure.

A view of a mountain

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In this panoramic view of Ethiopia’s Simien Mountains, your eyes look upon a dramatic landscape that is often considered mystical. From this high point you see the result of outpourings of Lava nearly 50 million years old. This vantage point is Ethiopia is the “roof” that precedes over Africa as no other location maintains this level of highlands at that elevation. One of the first documented travelers to this region by the name of Rosita Forbes wrote of its beauty, “A thousand years ago, when the old gods reigned in Ethiopia, they must have played chess with these stupendous crags…” suggesting that geology of this region was not created of this world (Bradt, Pg. 291).

A picture containing field, standing, mountain, large

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Imagine standing nearly 500 ft below sea level in what may be considered the hottest place on earth. Surrounded by sulfurous geysers and crystalline formation in the center of a volcanic crater explosion. While it does not look very welcoming at first glance, you may ask yourself if such a place even exist here on earth? Proof exist in this image of a man in such a place. It’s a place that is unforgiving. This place isn’t out of this world, but it is “hell on earth”. And its located in Dallol Ethiopia where its remoteness makes you feel like you’re “literally” the last person on earth.

A large waterfall over a river

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The mouth of the Blue Nile Falls squeezes into a 20-meter-wide funnel from a base of 160 meters wide river that sits 35 km downstream from Lake Tana in northern Ethiopia. It is the most impressive waterfall around. I would have to agree. What you don’t see is the possible hydro plant that will be able to divert the flows of this river and turn the falls, leaving bare rock as its only cover. The evolution of this site has occurred over millions of years. It would be a shame to lose it all for personal interest and attraction.

2 Cities

A large building

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For some reason I was reminded of a Hue, Vietnam a place I once visited. It appears orderly and relaxed. Not too big not too small. I enjoy the vibrant colors and tropical appeal. The mix of color stands out among the vegetation providing shade. It sits on the shores of Lake Tana which you wouldn’t know by the picture alone. Perhaps that’s why it reminds me of a few lazy days I spent under the shade in that place called Hue. Another thing of note is that they both were previous capitals to their country in times of emperors.

A close up of a busy city street

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A simple reminder of 17-18th century imperial reign stands at an intersection of modern tourism. The castles in the background overlook a new time. Now Gondar is a hot spot and a worthy enough home base to visit for a few days to see the Simien Mountains. This picture resembles one of bureaucracy in my opinion. Same colored taxis and transport vehicles keep things simple and organized. I’m not doubting the beauty and mystery of the relics of old imperialism but despite its castles and churches of old I still can’t help but to feel “trapped” judging from this picture alone.

A tall building in a city

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Hawassa is the capital of the Ethiopian portion of the Southern Regions. This point transects a majority of all the Omo Valley tribes as well as many others. In the center of the city, in the main square sits the Sidamo monument. It is decorated with colored mosaics that are meant to pay tribute to the many tribes that reside there. It was meant to resemble the common banana plant which they all share as an important part of their history. This picture reminds me that you must start somewhere. Now adays it boasts a growing population around 300,000.

A group of people standing in front of a building

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What looks like a rather poor attempt to prevent intrusion of some sort, this gated entrance acts as the entrance Harar. A unique and rather important place. Considered by many to be the fourth holiest Islamic city after Mecca, Medina and Jerusalem. Behind this gate is a world of religious and cultural tolerance. If those walls could only talk. Their irregular shape and unassuming construction make me think of poverty. The picture hanging over the gate should serve as a reminder who is in control and its not these people carrying about their daily lives. It speaks of old tradition (Brandt 463-464).

3 Landmarks

A close up of a tower

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When I see obelisks, I think of symbols of male fertility and power that were used for common markings for burial sites. Axum’s Stelae Park is where you find these landmarks present today in Ethiopia. What could the carvings mean on the larger one? Why do the smaller ones seem to be without carvings? They are a part of UNESCO World Heritage Site and are the tallest of all obelisks known to man. Ethiopia seems to have a deep importance in the world as we know. These serve as a reminder of ancient civilizations one that so far has stood the test of time.

 

A close up of a tree

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From this aerial view you see an inland sea that goes by the name Lake Tana. It is Ethiopia’s largest lake and one of its most important. Not unsurprising in this region, it was formed from volcanic activity over 5 million years ago. It’s not hard to decipher from this view, with the rocky exterior rim and multiple islands present. The mix of blue and muddy orange water is a sign of its alkaline characteristics. The water here is said to be colder than most tropical lakes. The lake itself, and the rivers that feed it play an important part to the to the ecology of the region.

An old brick building

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In all my searches the hewn sewn rock churches such as this one called St. George kept popping up as I searched for landmarks. In this picture you are forced to reconcile with the possibilities of one building this church, out of the rock earth itself. Its an impressive undertaking. The natural characteristics take on an important reminder of the medieval world that once existed. We are amazed by things today such as 3D printers that build things out of material. I can’t help but to think of this being its own technological feat given it was built before the 13th century. If I close my eyes, I can imagine millions of people overtime pilgrimaging to this site thereby giving it purpose. In a “if you build it, they will come kind of way”.   

A view of a city street filled with lots of traffic

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This was the best two pictures that from my best knowledge are from webcams yet from a different location. The location is Meskel Square in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. I notice organized chaos present in the daylight picture. I love to see people moving in space zigzagging, stopping and going, all amidst one another but still moving along the way to wherever they are going. Sometimes I wonder if we had no speed limits or traffic laws to follow. Would we fall into organized chaos such as this?

In the picture taken during the night I notice bare to minimal usage of this vehicles at night as well as a lack of infrastructure to provide light to the roadways. It presents calmness as supposed to the hectic traffic that takes place during the day. I bet if you were to sit there in the still of night you would hear the vehicles beeping and the clamoring of the people carrying on in traffic as if it was occurring as it does during the day.    

 

4 Images of People

A picture containing person, outdoor, fruit, holding

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Climate change may not be on the forefront of your mind when looking at this picture, but it should be known that Ethiopia’s main export is coffee and provides income to at least 15 percent of the country’s population. In a sense the coffee consumed by the world largely comes from Coffea arabica which is tendered by people such as these women in Ethiopia. What the photo doesn’t show you is that over time Ethiopia is experiencing higher temperatures and less rainfall which is impacting the ability to farm the precious commodity. You need not look further than the hands of these Ethiopian women as the bears the hard labor that are in a way responsible for that morning latte you casually buy on your way to work.  

A person standing in front of a crowd

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We know that generally the continent of Africa doesn’t have the amenities that we are used to having in America. Looking at a picture such as this you are see the merging of the traditional way of living to the modern era of the internet. In what appears to be a market of people gathering in groups this boy stands between the converging ideas of tradition and modernism. The dichotomy here of people having access the same kind of access to the modern world or remaining with little to no internet access. Perhaps this is a good reminder that sometimes its better to hold on to your past instead of wanting to rush to the future?  

A person standing in a field with a mountain in the background

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Not too often would you find such a conflicting picture with a background as this. I know that this is the Simien Mountains National Park. A man and his rifle stand high on the roof top of Africa dressed in local clothing that provides protection from the environment. The gun may be for mere protection from wildlife such as gelada monkey, gorillas, jackals or hyenas. But it cannot be ruled out for protection from man. After all armed scouts must accompany travelers in the region. With terrain like this one would feel likely safer despite the visual effects an armed man presents, accompanying you while you’re vacationing.

A picture containing outdoor, water, man, grass

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The Omni tribe of Ethiopia is one of the last remaining true tribes and culture that you will find and its located in Southern Ethiopia. These boys, with their face painted look to be enjoying themselves. I do not know what they have been doing but they look to be at ease. They have pierced flowers that are adorning their ears and lower lip. I can only assume that their costume and paint mean much more than playing dress up. I imagine that the masks they adorn are masks of their identity. Just as their jewelry symbolizes achievements or milestones in their young life.

5 Images from the Book

A screenshot of a computer

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A very big crocodile appears out of nowhere close to the shore of one of Ethiopia’s many lakes. In the background three individuals appear to be floating on standing papyrus rafts. They appear to be aware of the threat ahead. The water is calm, and they seem to be at a great enough distance to avoid an active threat. On second thought, I now see several more waiting in the distance. This leads me to believe that there is food nearby. Maybe there are people offshore throwing food to the crocodiles? Crocodiles exist throughout many parts of Africa and it appears Ethiopia is no different.

A picture containing sitting, man, standing, truck

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 This is a photo of seven women who adorn the scars of ceremonial and traditional whippings that occur in the bull-jumping ceremony. In a ceremony that centers around young men walking over bulls as a challenge to enter adulthood and marriage. Side by side the women of the tribe are whipped and lashed by the male members of their families. This is not believed to be acceptable in the Western world but to them this is their life and encouraged by the female participants.  Nothing about the way they are standing shows signs of fear. They look as though they are mere participants in their tribes’ culture.

 

 

References


Briggs, P. (2019). Bradt travel guide: Ethiopia (8th ed.). UK: Bradt Travel Guides Ltd.

Rough Guides Ltd. (2015). The rough guide to Ethiopia (1st ed.). London.

 


Submitted by your Nate W. on 4/1/2020.