Historical documents reveal that the art of painting in Ethiopia dates back to the pre-Axumite Empire. There were stone-inscribed pictures since the D’amat empire, which flourished before the Axumite Kingdom. Nevertheless, paintings on walls, and on stones as well as in books and in icons had become a common scenario when Ethiopia adopted Christianity during the reign of twin kings Abraha and Atsbeha (Ezana and Sayzana) in the 4th century B.C. Since then many churches and monastries have been built.
But most paintingins were drawn after the 12th century. The monastry of Abraha WeAtsbeha is among the rock-hewn churches, built in mesmerizing archetectural styles. It is named after the twin kings. The monastry, situated 24 kms away from the town of Wukro in eastern Tigray, showcases several breathtaking wall and ceiling paintings. Aba Gebremichael Tesfahuney has been leading a solitary life in the monastry for almost five decades. He told The Ethiopian Herald that the astonishing paintings lend amazing beauty for the church.
‘‘Our forefathers have left such interesting blessings. Tourists who come from different parts of the world express their admiration pertaining to the superb archetetural style and paintings of the church. What affords Ethiopians a source of pride is that the pictures were painted using local raw materials. The ink was produced from the powder of indiginous plants,’’ he said. However, he expressed his concern that the paintings are vulnerable to rain and dust. Hence, he called for governmental and non-governmental organizations to contribute bricks towards their preservation.
‘‘There is negligence in preserving these irreplaceable blessings and trasmitting them to the next generation. Pertinent bodies should know that these astonishing heritages are at risk. Thus, they should actively work towards their preservation,’’ he urged. Not only Abraha we Atsbeha, many Ethiopian churches are rich in wall and ceiling paintings.
The art of church paintings had shown development in the 19th and 20th century. As a result many churches are still decorating their walls and ceilings by beautiful paintings. St.Georg cathedral which is found at the center of the capital Addis Ababa commonly known as Piazza is one of the colorfully embellished churches in Ethiopia.
The church was built in octagonal form with neoclassical archtectural style. Commenced in 1896, it was completed in 1911 with the involvement of Greek, Armenian and Indian artists. Empress Taitu and Emperor Hailesslassie were crowned in it. According to Addis Ababa City Administration, Culture and Tourism Bureau, the church contains splendid historic and religious collections.
There are beautiful crowns, crosses, prayer stics, holy scrolls, ceremonial umbrellas and coronation ornaments of Emperess Zewditu and Emperor Haileslassie and other heritages. Besides, the cathedral houses stunning paintings of most celebrated artists like Afework Tekle.
The beautifuly drawn mosaic paintings are about saints and angels. Fanta Beyene, Public Relations Directorate Director at Ethiopian’s Authority for Research and Conservation of Cultural Heritages (ARCCH) for his part said that intensive renovation activities have been undertaken on various churches and monastries. Restoring and preserving paintings was part of the effort. ‘‘Recently, we have accomplished renovation work on Lalibela rockhewn churches. The restoration of Bete Golgotha Michael church has saved many precious paintings from destruction with USD 500,000 funded by the American Embassy in Ethiopia.
Similar activities will be conducted in other churches,’’ he disclosed. He noted that the monlithic churches of Lalibela were registered in UNESCO’s tangible heritages list in 1978.He added the recent restoration has focused not only on the churches but also on the paintings inside them. ‘‘Lalibela churches boast amazing ceiling and wall paintings.
Tourists are always amazed by the spectacular paintings. But they have not been in a good condition due to improper handling. Having understood this, we have undertaken preservation tasks.’’ Generally speaking, paintings in churches and monastries have been grabbing the attention of many tourists. But their preservation work and transmission task to the next generation should be seriously handled by governmental and non governmental organizations as well as relgious institutions and the general public. It is in such fashion they could tell out loud history more than words could express.
Herald December 30/2018
BY TSEGAY HAGOS
