On the Horn of Africa, completely landlocked, lies the country of Ethiopia, the second most populous country in all of Africa. Ethiopia has nine regional states, one of which is Oromia. It has recently become possible to get Oromia news.
The history of Oromo, as it is sometimes called, is very interesting. This is as true for recent history as it is for ancient times. Until the beginning of the 21st century, Oromia's capital was Addis Ababa, also known as Finfinne. At this time, the government moved the capital to Adama. The rationale behind this change was that it was more suitable for the cultural growth of the region. Opponents of the switch blamed it on the government wanting to diminish the influence of Addis Ababa. By 2005, the capital was moved back to Finfinne by the People's Democratic Organization of Oromo.
It is no small feat that we are now able to read about Oromia. Until very recently, the ruling body was rather bashful about the goings on in the country. Our new-found ability to read about the region is a triumph of democracy and freedom.
In the Finfinne Tribune, it is possible to read about the mythical origin of the Abyssinian Solomonic dynasty. The Judeo-Christian Bible tells the story of a visit to King Solomon by the Queen of Sheba. What the Bible does not mention is a child born to the Queen months after the historic meeting. This baby allegedly grew up to become King Minilik I.
While the Bible certainly does not shy away from mentioning the products of adulterous relationships (King Solomon himself, the son of King David and Bathsheba was born on the wrong side of the blanket), it makes no mention of a romance between the two monarchs, Solomon and the Queen of Sheba, nor does it say anything about Minilik I.
What is more likely is that the royal heritage of Minilik I was claimed by himself. Rulers in ancient times would often claim some mythical, mystical origins in order to distinguish themselves from ordinary mortals. Their mystical roots were then used to justify the use of unlimited power over their subjects.
The practice of claiming divine origins lasted until Emperor Haile Sillassee was deposed in the revolution of 1974. He, too, was part of the Solomonic dynasty. Born TM Woldemikael, he was regent of Ethiopia for 29 years before ascending to Emperor in 1930.
It is exciting to be exposed to new stories about old countries that never seem to have a big role on the world stage, at least from a western point of view. It is unfortunate that records of the Solomonic Dynasty, kept by the Christian monks of the Ethiopian orthodoxy, were demolished when Judith I destroyed the monasteries. Following the revolution in 1974, most of the Ethiopian royal family were put in prison, later to be released and entered into exile. Today, many members of the royal family have been allowed to come back and life in Ethiopia.
The history of Oromo, as it is sometimes called, is very interesting. This is as true for recent history as it is for ancient times. Until the beginning of the 21st century, Oromia's capital was Addis Ababa, also known as Finfinne. At this time, the government moved the capital to Adama. The rationale behind this change was that it was more suitable for the cultural growth of the region. Opponents of the switch blamed it on the government wanting to diminish the influence of Addis Ababa. By 2005, the capital was moved back to Finfinne by the People's Democratic Organization of Oromo.
It is no small feat that we are now able to read about Oromia. Until very recently, the ruling body was rather bashful about the goings on in the country. Our new-found ability to read about the region is a triumph of democracy and freedom.
In the Finfinne Tribune, it is possible to read about the mythical origin of the Abyssinian Solomonic dynasty. The Judeo-Christian Bible tells the story of a visit to King Solomon by the Queen of Sheba. What the Bible does not mention is a child born to the Queen months after the historic meeting. This baby allegedly grew up to become King Minilik I.
While the Bible certainly does not shy away from mentioning the products of adulterous relationships (King Solomon himself, the son of King David and Bathsheba was born on the wrong side of the blanket), it makes no mention of a romance between the two monarchs, Solomon and the Queen of Sheba, nor does it say anything about Minilik I.
What is more likely is that the royal heritage of Minilik I was claimed by himself. Rulers in ancient times would often claim some mythical, mystical origins in order to distinguish themselves from ordinary mortals. Their mystical roots were then used to justify the use of unlimited power over their subjects.
The practice of claiming divine origins lasted until Emperor Haile Sillassee was deposed in the revolution of 1974. He, too, was part of the Solomonic dynasty. Born TM Woldemikael, he was regent of Ethiopia for 29 years before ascending to Emperor in 1930.
It is exciting to be exposed to new stories about old countries that never seem to have a big role on the world stage, at least from a western point of view. It is unfortunate that records of the Solomonic Dynasty, kept by the Christian monks of the Ethiopian orthodoxy, were demolished when Judith I destroyed the monasteries. Following the revolution in 1974, most of the Ethiopian royal family were put in prison, later to be released and entered into exile. Today, many members of the royal family have been allowed to come back and life in Ethiopia.
Không có nhận xét nào:
Đăng nhận xét