AN121 Ethiopia: A Land of Staggering Cultural Riches (Remote)

Mention Ethiopia and most people exclaim: “Why would anyone want to go to there?!”

Images of the war between Eritrea and Ethiopia still loom large. Well, that war is over and Ethiopia offers perhaps the richest cultural experience in all of Africa and combines it with some of the world’s most dramatic scenery and dazzling diversity of wildlife. It is a Christian country surrounded by Muslim ones, once ruled by the Queen of Sheba, who was seduced by King Solomon 3000 years ago and produced a son who started a dynasty said to have continued unbroken until Haile Selassie.

We will review the history Ethiopia and look at photographs of some of its treasures, including astounding subterranean Christian churches carved into rock. The highest country in Africa, Ethiopia has twenty peaks over 13,000 feet and is split into two by the Great Rift Valley. We’ll look at photographs of the dramatic Simien Mountains in the north and the Bale Mountains in the south, including some wildlife there. Finally, we’ll take a spin through the tribal south. The Omo Valley in southern Ethiopia has a multitude of ethnic groups living outside the modern world. We’ll look at photographs some of these ethnic groups, like the Mursi people with their large lip plates, as well as colorful markets and ancient tribal ceremonies.

This course will resume online only, this is due to changes in current governmental guidelines for in person events. Details on joining the course via Zoom will be emailed to you before the start of the class. If you would like to test out your internet connection from a computer device before the start of the class you can click on the computer icon above or here.

About the Presenters: Among other things, presenters Lynn and Russell Kelley are intrepid travellers who designed their own trip through Ethiopia and will share this adventure with WICE. During confinement Russell entertained WICE members and friends with the 7-part Making of Paris, and will be back in January with a series on the most prestigious chateaux of France.

Photo Credit: Lynn Kelley