Part I
As we recently observed one of the most important holidays in the Islamic calendar, i.e. it would be relevant to revisit the history and role Islam played in the making of ancient as well as modern Ethiopia and the impact of Islamic art and architecture eon the lives of not of Muslims but also Ethiopians of walks of life and from other religious denominations. For many centuries, Islam remained a sidelined faith in Ethiopia and Muslims did not enjoy the same rights as followers the other faiths. Moreover, Muslims were almost totally secluded from the political history of the country as Christianity that came to the country in the 4h century had the opportunity to become the religion of the ruling classes.
Islam is one of the two major religions in Ethiopia that came to Ethiopia in the seventh century and spread throughout the region for more than a century and a half. Many of the countries of the Horn of Africa have Muslim majority populations. In Ethiopia, “Islam first arrived in Ethiopia in 614 with the First Migration to Abyssinia. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s capital city is home to about 443,821 Muslims or 16.2%. While Muslims can be found in almost every community, Islam is most prevalent in the Somali (98.4%), Afar (95.3%) and Oromia (47.5%) Regions”
Islam has played an important role in the historical, political, economic and social developments of Ethiopia. It has shaped and continues to influence the lives of tens of millions of Ethiopians in every part of the country. Although no recent population census is available at present, some estimates maintain that “Islam is the second-largest religion in Ethiopia after Christianity, with 31.3 to 35.9 percent of the total population of 117 million people professing the religion as of 2020” However for centuries, Islam did not enjoy the same status as the other religions of the country for many reasons; one of which is the political marginalization of Muslims and the oppression they suffered like any followers of the other religions. One major feature of Islam in Ethiopia is that it has remained almost monolithic while Christians were divided along many denominations and sects. The relative cohesive nature of Islam may be the main factor that prevented the emergence of other factions or sects as it happened in many countries of the Middle East.
Despite the dire conditions Islam survived in Ethiopia for many centuries. Islamic art and architecture in particular played a crucial role in spreading the faith and spreading the teachings of the Prophet Mohamed. A brief overview of the history of Islam suggests that, “Muslims arrived in the Axumite Empire during the Hijarat as early disciples from Mecca, persecuted by the ruling Quraysh tribe. They were received by the Christian ruler of Axum, whom Arabic tradition has named Ashama ibn Abjar (King Armah in Ge’Ez and Amharic), and he settled them in Negash, located in the Tigray region.
On the other hand, the principal center of Islamic culture, learning, and propagation has been Wello. The Quraysh sent emissaries to bring them back to Arabia, but the King of Axum refused their demands. The Prophet himself instructed his followers who came to the Axumite Empire, to respect and protect Axum as well as live in peace with the native Christians.”
Although Islam penetrated Ethiopia from the north, it spread in all directions relatively fast as the religion spread in the east of the east of the country in particular. No doubt that culture and art played a big role in this process as much as the Arabic language that served as a vehicle for the spread of the religion among the previously non-Arabic speaking populations.
Islamic art is defined as an art form that is used to promote and celebrate the Muslim faith. According to another definition, “The term Islamic art not only describes the art created specifically in the service of the Muslim faith (for example, a mosque and its furnishings) but also characterizes the art and architecture historically produced in the lands ruled by Muslims, produced for Muslim patrons, or created by Muslim artists. Islamic art covers a range of artistic fields including architecture, calligraphy, painting, glass, ceramics, and textiles, among others. Islamic art is not restricted to religious art, but instead includes all of the art of the rich and varied cultures of Islamic societies.”
The wide-ranging nature of Islamic art is impossible to cover in this brief article. Suffice it to indicate only the major art forms such as calligraphy and architecture.
Islamic calligraphy or form of writing or inscription is one of the most important aspects of Islamic art. It is also a form of painting. “Islamic calligraphy in the form of painting or sculptures is sometimes referred to as Quranic art. The various forms of traditional Arabic calligraphy and decoration of the manuscripts used for written versions of the Qur’an represent a central tradition of Islamic visual art.”
Speaking of Islamic architecture, we can say that it “developed distinct characteristics in the form of buildings, and the decoration of surfaces with Islamic calligraphy and geometric and interlace patterned ornament. The principal Islamic architectural types for large or public buildings are: the Mosque, the Tomb, the Palace and the Fort.”
According to a critical view of Islamic architecture is not limited to these four aspects of buildings. It says that, ‘Islamic artistry in architecture is not known only for domed ceilings and great works like the Dome of the Rock or the Taj Mahal, but for the rich mosaics and tile work within them. Mosaic and tile art were influenced by the mosaics of the Byzantine period and led to a centuries-long practice of crafting glazed tiles in bright and vivid colors, and a later technique of painting tiles before firing.”
The range of Islamic art is so vast that it is virtually impossible to describe it comprehensively. According to an article in the Encyclopedia Britannica, “Islamic arts include literary, performing, and visual arts of the vast populations of the Islamic world from the 7th century onward. Adherents of Islam and those living in Islamic settings have created such an immense variety of literatures, performing arts, visual arts, and music that it virtually defies any comprehensive definition.
In Ethiopia, Islamic art I most visible in the patterns and construction of mosques across the country has borrowed heavily from traditional Arabic art and architecture is it is most evident in Al Negashi mosque in Tigray region. “The Al Nejashi mosque is as old as the faith of Islam in Ethiopia and it is believed to be the first mosque in Africa. The mosque is considered by many as one of the most sacred places of Islamic worship and rightly dubbed by some as “The second Makkah”.
According to Wikipedia encyclopedia, “the mosque was established in the 7th century. In 2018, the mosque was renovated with funds from Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency. Accommodations, visitor center and toilets were built around the mosque building. Renovation was completed in September 2018.
BY MULUGETA GUDETA
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD FRIDAY 6 MAY 2022
