Logo
Prev
Bookmark
Rotate
Print
Next
Contents
All Pages
Related Articles
Browse Issues
Help
Search
Home
'
National Geographic : 1925 Jun
Contents
A CARAVAN JOURNEY THROUGH ABYSSINIA Photograph by Harry V. Harlan A CROSS ON A PILLAR OF A LALIBELA CHURCH This symbol, akin to a Maltese cross, was photographed because of its possible significance in approximating the period of the construction of Lalibela's rock churches. Since the churches lie in deep holes, little light penetrates through the decorative fretwork of stone on the windows, and it was therefore necessary to have two natives hold candles alongside the pillar when the photographic film was exposed (see text, page 655). the religious center of Abyssinia. The natives refer to it as the Jerusalem of Ethiopia and have tried to reproduce many of the physical features of that holy city. It is the great religious pilgrimage center of the Amharas. The Christmas celebrations are the cli max of the Coptic pageantry of Ethiopia, and thousands of believers come from the Tigre, from Gojjam, and from the Shoan provinces, and camp about the hills until every available site is occupied. Yet, despite the importance of the city, not half a dozen Europeans have ever visited Lalibela. So far as I could learn, Mr. Sewall and I were the first English speaking people to visit it and the first outsiders of any nationality to witness the Christmas celebrations. The infrequency of visitors is all the more striking, because the place has been known for many centuries. Francisco Alvarez, Portuguese missionary and ex plorer, wrote an extensive account of its remarkable churches, following a trip made in 1520. According to C. F. Rey, there have been one German and two French expeditions since that of Alvarez. Ras Taffari had sent word ahead that we were coming, and that courtesies should be extended to us. When we ar rived near Lalibela thousands of pilgrims were gathered before the village, and the head priest awaited us on an open hill side with scores of his priests as a back ground. The priests were dressed in their most elaborate costumes-blue, red, purple, 653
Links
Archive
1925 Jul
1925 May
Navigation
Previous Page
Next Page