A.A has standard-meeting-registered 18 historic museums, 13 monuments, 400 antiques
BY STAFF REPORTER
The Rock Hewen Washera Mekael (The Cave Mikael) church is found 3km away from Addis Ababa in a village called Ankorcha. It was built in 320AC by the twin kings Izana and Sizana who later acquired the name Abereha and Atsebeha.
The church lost the major portion of it during the 1936 to 1941 guerilla war Ethiopian patriots mounted to dislodge fascist Italy. Fascists that mistook it for garrison air bombarded it demolishing the better half of it. Most of its heritages are lost buried.
The church’s replica of the arc of the covenant is transferred to the Debre Sahel saint Mikael church found here in Addis. What makes the church unique and wonderful is the fact that it was built at a time when modernization has not yet put down roots. Its being a living billboard of ancient civilization is another source of curiosity regarding the church.
Heading to the church a team of journalists have just visited the vestiges of the damage-sustained church hewed out of a rock. They had witnessed the laudatory reconstruction and refurbishing works underway by the Addis Ababa City administration to render city’s touristic spots visitors’ friendly. It is just as an instance this church is mentioned. Otherwise countless are the touristic spots in the city.
Are the tourist attractions well-developed to be salubrious for visitors? How many of us know the heritages in our bosom? How many of us do our best to conserve, develop and beautify our heritages to generate the maximum benefit possible?
A server of the church Liketeguhan Yeheyes Fente says that the church has a lot of stories to tell starting from its location. He notes as historic documents show during the reign of Abrha and Atsebeha Axum and Washa Mikael were under the jurisdiction of the twin kings. As inscribed on the stones, the provinces (countries) the kings used to administer ranged from Sabayan (Yemen),Nubia(Sudan) to Beji (Southern Egypt).They had a vast area of land to administer. As such, the twins found it hard to closely administer the country making their seats at Aksum. Drawing a lot they divided these parts of Ethiopia among themselves.
The Northern part went to King Abrha. Making his seat at Aksum he continued to administer the northern part of Ethiopia.
Focusing on the southern part, king Atsebeha constructed a palace on Yerer mountain, found in the then Shewa province. He brought along the replicas of the arc of the
covenant named after saint Mikael. It was a monk called Maekb Egezi who carried the ARk. King Atsebeha placed the Ark in a cave he got hewed out of a rock. The church like the ones in the northern part of Ethiopia is made to have a u shape, in the Ethiopian alphabet that designates the first letter. It indicates the presence of the father (God) precedes this world. There is a desire to preserve this church, he said.
In 1886, King Mienilik took out the Ark from the damaged cave church and placed it in a church he constructed nearby. After staying there for 7 years it was transferred to saint Michel church in 1903.He says to better attract tourists the area begs for asphalt road and potable water services.
Head of Image Ethiopian Tour Agency Betew Getachew, who had 15 years of experience in the tourism sector, noted that regarding tourism in Ethiopia as compared to some African countries like Morocco, Egypt, Kenya, Tanzania and South Africa there is a lot to be desired. We have to develop big national parks boasting numerous wild animals and increase the number of museums.
Tourists come in droves to feast their eyes on wild animals, historic caves and churches. To generate as much money from the sector it must not only be on what we have to offer we must focus on but also on what we must do to cater to the demand of tourists. Otherwise, the sector could suffer a setback. Unless we do that the chance of getting new tourists could evade us or growth could recede us.
Ethiopia is home to many magnificent caves and churches. If we ask “are they tourist friendly to the required level?” the answer will be no. As tour operators the number one problem we notice is road infrastructure. Most roads are disagreeable not only to vehicles but also to those who opt to trek all the way to destinations.
Happily constructions works are underway that could bolster Addis Ababa’s tourism. As they are promising they have to be encouraged.
Addis is a historic city replete with stunning heritages. Like a delicious dish its air is salubrious. Various nation nationalities reside in the town which houses historic museums. Focus on the further development of these resources is a must see.
Senior experts on heritage research at City’s administration Mekebeb W/Mariam notes that the resource development activity is based on natural resources that attract attention –water resources, forests, water and tree species and landscapes. It is also based on the sentiment that triggers a passion for research.
Yet there is a lot to be desired he notes. To prolong the stay of tourists flocking to Addis action plan is designed to incorporate areas of focus like cross section of society, culture and artifacts. These activities throw light on the commitment of the government to turning things around in the sector.
But budget shortage is an impediment. Vying for historic ownership too is dismaying. These call for a remedial solution. Studies in the departed year had revealed that most of the tourist destinations didn’t represent all cross-section of society. To renovate the tangible heritages the task did necessitate apportioning budget for action. “ I dare say the country is not collecting as much wealth as it should for the sector ” he said.
The country that boasts inscribed tangible and intangible heritages is lacking in a robust conservation and maintenance work for want of enough budgets. There is a call for to address the challenge.
As a seat of continental and international organizations those who come for conference or other activities to A.A are many. A.A has standard-meeting-registered 18 historic museums, 13 monuments and 400 antiques. There is a need to optimize return from this.
Monuments that show martyrdom, patriotism and conviction on one side and antiques and caves on the other side are the jewels on the crown of city’s tourism.
Breathing life into the development of the touristic spot is exigent. Higher government officials especially in the new government must spur the effort underway.
As the task must not be left to the government alone citizens especially philanthropist have to buttress it with an all-out support.
The Ethiopian Herald September 28/2021
