The Kingdom Of Aksum and its ancient obelisks
Posted By admin
Date: April 27th, 2009
Category: Travel and Leisure
Aksum Ethiopia is the beginning and the end. It seems to be situated at the end of world. Not much seems to be beyond. On the other hand, it was here where the ancient axum empire began to exist about seven hundred years B.C. The north of Ethiopia and what is now Eritrea used to be one of the most powerful states of the first five centuries A.D.
Aksum became the state capital and practiced Christian teachings from the 4th century onwards but was later influenced by Muslims that settled in the area by the 7th Century. From the kingdom of aksum the early Ethiopian culture spread southward and from where today its roots can be traced.
Today, Axum, acts as an important center for tourism and administration in the province of Tigre. When travelling around Ethiopia what one notices is how every town has its own unique style.
Gondor has Italian style, Bahirdar tropical and modern, and Aksum is somehow middle-age African style. Moreover, it is exactly what a traveller may expect from a distant mountainous place. Its remoteness gives one the feeling it is somehow still separated from the rest of the world, which I suppose in a way, it still is.
If you’re seeking adventure in a desert setting then come to Axum and you’ve got the feeling! There is lots of history in Aksum, even more than in other parts of Ethiopia which already has a lot. Probably the most well known relics of the kingdom of aksum are the ancient obelisks and stelas. Just like the pyramids of Egypt, they mark the burial grounds of former rulers and important state officials.
Of all the monolithic columns that were raised, only one of those big ones survived erected, surrounded by several smaller stelas. The biggest of all has never been successfully constructed and probably collapsed in the process of being erected. It now lays in three broken pieces stretched out along the ground, probably where it fell. The one advantage for the observer is to be able to examine this impressive monument at close quarters, as it presents a splendour and grandeur in its imperfect form.
The best view on the field of stelas is provided from the terrace of the Remhai hotel on the hill opposite the field. The sunset admired from this place brings reflections on power and state and on the fragility of mankind. Otherwise, it helps romantic moments, all depending on circumstances.
Stelas are scattered all around Axum and its surroundings. They can be seen from almost any direction either entering or leaving the town. Exiting the town westward on the road to Gonder one can visit another remarkable and huge stela field to the left side of the road. Not only are the stelas smaller but they are also older than ones which mark the centre of Aksum.
Also on the road to Gondor is the palace of the Queen of Sheba. Unfortunately, only the lower walls have survived but still some accessories of the ancient palace are to be found there, e.g. water pipes or the steps leading to no longer existing rooms.
It might be of no interest to some people, but with a little imagination it is very easy to be taken back to the time when it was inhabited and the walls were still standing and covered with a roof. Now, its rooms serve mainly as shelter for grazing animals who add to the character of the place. There is more to be found on Aksum Ethiopia in the article on ancient axum written by Dr. Rubinkowska, Warsaw University, Department of Languages and Culture.