As human beings, we need to cherish our common historical and cultural heritage because they tell us who we are, from where we came, and what we have been doing.
The writer of this article is inspired to write a modest contribution to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the discovery of Lucy (Dinknesh), the most prehistoric fossil and historical heritage of mankind ever to be discovered in the world. A fossil skeleton ancestor unearthed in 1974 by paleontologist Donald C. Johanson in Hadar, in Afar State, Ethiopia, stands to the reason that Ethiopia is the Land of Origins
Moreover, the ongoing hairsplitting arguments about the loss of historical and cultural heritages apparently due to corridor development on social media outlets and the appalling ignorance on what historical and cultural heritages are has motivated the author to help those who mess up on the issue. It is a pity that almost all development programs including restoration of our cultural heritages are being politicized by hate-filled parties and individuals who find it hard to identify between issues of nationwide importance and localized squabbling.
One of the most enraging facts about our historical and cultural heritage is that the several undocumented heritages had been looted for a century. Ethiopia fought more than 27 well-documented wars to ascertain the unity and territorial integrity of the country from foreign invasion. Regrettably, these wars did not spare our cultural and historical artifacts and valuable manuscripts that were looted by invaders. Suffice it to mention the lootings conducted by British soldiers at Mekdela and more than 350 manuscripts were stolen from the country over the course of more than 150 years.
To begin with, what do we actually mean when we are talking about historical and cultural heritages?
It is popularly understood that historic and cultural heritages are places of significance to people on account of historical, physical (i.e., technological, archaeological, architectural), and cultural values. Historic heritage is often referred to as cultural and historic heritage or simply ‘historic places’. Essentially, all historic heritages have the following common elements: It is a geographical ‘place’ which may include a variety of types. For example, structure, monument, house, road, property, site, or area. Historical heritage is associated with heritage values and has heritage significance. It is associated with, or connected to, a person, group or community (the connected people).
In simple terms, a heritage place is a place with a ‘story’ (the heritage values) about the interaction of people with the place. For example, a particular ‘rock’ may have certain geological values – but what makes the rock of historic heritage value will depend on how the rock has been associated with people – it may be of value to a people or nation or it may be associated with settlement of the district or a particular historical personality. This article also touches upon some salient features of the intangible heritages of Ethiopia as parts of our cultural heritage.
The major standards for historical and cultural heritage preservation and management are generally established by international organizations such as UNESCO, ICOMOS (International Council on Monuments and Sites), and other cultural heritage bodies. These standards aim to protect, preserve, and promote cultural and historical heritage worldwide.
Standards for the preservation and management of cultural and historical heritage are essential to ensure the protection, conservation, and sustainability of these resources for future generations. Some of the key standards include: UNESCO World Heritage Convention which was adopted in 1972. This convention defines the criteria for inscribing cultural and natural sites on the World Heritage List. It emphasizes the need for outstanding universal value and the requirement for protective measures and management plans to ensure the preservation of heritage sites.
ICOMOS (International Council on Monuments and Sites) Standards provide various charters and guidelines that offer principles for the conservation, restoration, and management of cultural heritage, such as the Venice Charter (1964), which focuses on the conservation and restoration of monuments and sites.
The Burra Charter (1979, updated 2013) by Australia ICOMOS outlines a process for the care of places of cultural significance, emphasizing the need for understanding, documenting, and managing cultural heritage.
Conservation Principles by the UK’s Historic Environment is the other one. These principles include preservation in situ, which refers to preserving the heritage resource in its original location, and minimum intervention, which stresses minimal alterations to the heritage resource to maintain its integrity.
The Nara Document on Authenticity (1994) document also emphasizes the importance of authenticity in conservation practices, considering factors such as form, design, materials, use, and function in understanding and preserving heritage sites.
The other guiding principles are Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention. These guidelines outline the processes for nominating, evaluating, and protecting World Heritage sites. They include criteria for the assessment of the authenticity and integrity of heritage properties.
National and Local Standards -Many countries have their own standards and laws for the protection of cultural and historical heritage. These often involve regulatory frameworks, protective zoning, and heritage impact assessments.
Cultural heritage is linked to several SDGs, particularly Goal 11, which aims to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. The preservation of cultural heritage is seen as a key element of sustainable development.
The UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage (2003) provides a framework for the preservation of intangible cultural heritages, such as traditions, languages, and practices.
As digital documentation becomes increasingly important, standards such as those from Cultural Heritage Imaging (CHI) and the International Image Interoperability Framework (IIIF) provide guidelines for digitizing and preserving cultural heritage in digital formats.
These standards ensure that cultural and historical heritage is preserved in a manner that respects its significance and integrity while allowing for sustainable management and accessibility
Ethiopia is home to a rich array of cultural and historical heritages, reflecting its long and diverse history. That is why the nation has been named “the country of origins” The author wishes to briefly mention some of these heritages for readers.
Rock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela: These 11 medieval monolithic churches were carved out of rock in the 12th century during the reign of King Lalibela. They are considered one of Ethiopia’s greatest architectural achievements and are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Obelisks of Axum: The ancient city of Aksum was the center of the Aksumite Empire, one of the great civilizations of the ancient world. The city is famous for its obelisks (stelae), which are monumental pillars dating back to the 4th century. The tallest surviving stelae are over 24 meters high.
The walled city of Harar at Jegol: Harar is a walled city considered the fourth holiest city of Islam, with 82 mosques, three of which date from the 10th century, and 102 shrines. It is also known for its unique Harari architecture registered at UNESCO.
Semien Mountain National Park: This UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for its dramatic landscape, is home to several endangered species, including the Ethiopian wolf and the Walia ibex.
Omo Valley: Located in the southern Ethiopia State, the Omo Valley is home to diverse ethnic groups, including the Hamar, Mursi, and Karo tribes, who have unique cultures and traditions. The area is also an important site for paleanthropological discoveries.
The Castel of Fasil: is a fortress city in Gondar, founded in the 17th century by Emperor Fasilides. It contains castles, churches, and palaces, showcasing a blend of Nubian, Arab, and Baroque architecture.
The Stelae of Tiya: Tiya is an archaeological site containing 36 ancient stelae with inscriptions and carvings. It is one of Ethiopia’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
The Konso Cultural Landscape: it is a terraced agricultural region inhabited by the Konso people. It is recognized for its stone-walled terraces and wooden statues (waka) representing deceased Konso leaders. It is also registered as a world heritage by UNESCO.
The Church of Axum Tsion: Believed by Ethiopian Orthodox Christians to house the Ark of the Covenant, this church is one of Ethiopia’s most revered religious sites.
The following are some of the intangible heritages
The Meskel Festival, celebrated in September, commemorates the finding of the True Cross on which Jesus was crucified by Queen Elleni. It is inscribed as an intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO.
The Gada system is an indigenous democratic socio-political system practiced by the Oromo people. It regulates political, economic, social, and religious activities in Oromo society; and was also registered by UNESCO.
Timket is the Ethiopian Orthodox celebration of Epiphany, marked by colorful processions and the reenactment of the Baptism of Jesus Christ in the Jordan River.
Fitche Chambalala: This is a celebration of a New Year festival among the Sidama people registered at UNESCO.
Shewal Eid Festival: This is a UNESCO-registered festival marked every year among the Harari People to mark the end of the six days of fasting.
Axum Archeological Sites: The site is known for its ancient ruins, including obelisks, royal tombs, and the ruins of ancient palaces. It is linked to the Aksumite Kingdom, which was one of the greatest civilizations of the ancient world.
These heritages are just a glimpse of Ethiopia’s rich cultural and historical legacy and are certainly not exhaustive, making the country a significant destination for cultural tourism and historical research works.
Despite the current ethnic-based exclusive social consciousness among some sectors of our society, Ethiopians still cherish traditional cultural heritages of promoting justice, peace, and reconciliation and traditional methods of conflict resolution that have come down to us from generation to generation. The current generation of Ethiopia needs to recognize, document, and use them to resolve some conflicts that continue to prevail in the country.
The current generation should also develop its heritage sites that could be transferred to the next generation of Ethiopians. The eco-resort projects of Gorgora, Wonchi, Halala Kela, Koyisha, Entoto Park, and several other projects that are under construction including Gerealta Resort will certainly make up a catalog of human heritages that the current and next generation could enjoy.
BY SOLOMON DIBABA
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD THURSDAY 5 SEPTEMBER 2024
