About Ethiopia

Ethiopia is known to be one of the oldest countries in the world. The traditions and religious culture are one of a kind. In the 3rd century BC, Ethiopia was described as one of the four great world powers along side Rome, China and Persia. Some of it's history can supposedly be traced back to King Solomon, the son of King David in the bible. He was known to be very wise. Most of you may remember the story of the two women in the bible who claimed to be the true mother of a particular child. King Solomon ordered to have the baby cut in two so the mothers could each have an equal piece. In his wisdom, he knew the real mother would object to this. What mother would want their child to be sliced in two? The real mother spoke up and said the other woman could have the child so it could live. King Solomon immediately gave the child to the woman who spoke up. 1Kings 3:16-28.


Back to the story of Ethiopia.... This is not in the Bible and I'm not saying I believe this. I just want to get the story out of what the Ethiopians believe. Queen Sheba supposedly conceived from King Solomon after he tricked her into sleeping with him. She went back to Ethiopia, gave birth to Menelik I and later acquired the Ark of the Covenant from King Solomon as a gift, maybe? It is said that Menelik I was supposed to get a replica but King Solomon switched it with the real Ark of the Covenant in the end. Today, there is a building built around the Ark and a priest is assigned the life long commitment of guarding it. No one can see it or go inside to touch it. It is not known if the Ark really exists there. If you want to read the story of Queen Sheba visiting King Solomon in the Bible, go to 1Kings 10: 1-13. Picture below is of the church that supposedly houses the Ark in Axum.


Most of Ethiopia is Christian with a third of the population being muslim. Their traditions are carried out by the church. Ministers and priests wear very colorful smocks and hats during ceremonies. There are churches that have been built out of rock and mountain. Here is a picture of one in Lalibela, Ethiopia. This is the Church of Saint George, carved entirely out of rock.  To be continued......