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Addis Ababa (the name means 'new flower') is of fairly recent origin - Menelik II founded the city in 1887 but is an important administrative centre not only for Ethiopia but also for the whole of Africa. Situated in the foothills of the Entoto Mountains and standing 2,400 metres above sea level it is the third highest capital in the world. The city has a population of about four million. The National Museum of Ethiopia (NME), also referred to as the Ethiopian National Museum, is the primary museum in Ethiopia. It is located in the nation's capital, Addis Ababa, near the graduate school of Addis Ababa University.

In 1936, the concept of a museum was first introduced in Ethiopia when an exhibition was opened, displaying ceremonial costumes donated by the royal family and their close associates. The current NME grew from the establishment of the Institute of Archaeology, which was founded in 1958. The institute was founded to promote and facilitate the archaeological research mission in the northern part of Ethiopia by French archaeologists.

This colossal head belongs to the Olmec civilization (1200-400 BC) and was in Mexico Square. The history of Mexico Square comes from events that happened in 1935-1936, when Ethiopia presented its case against the Italian occupation to the League of Nations. Mexico was one of the few countries that showed camaraderie and support to Ethiopia at that time. Following this event, the Mexico Square was built in Addis Ababa and has been a historical site ever since, symbolizing the friendship between the two countries.

In the late nineteenth century, José Melgar y Serrano described a colossal head as having "Ethiopian" features and speculations that the Olmec had African origins resurfaced in 1960 in the work of Alfonso Medellín Zenil and in the 1970s in the writings of Ivan van Sertima. Such speculation is not taken seriously by Mesoamerican scholars such as Richard Diehl and Ann Cyphers

Museum Gardens

Emperor Hailesellasie I giving directions to 12 students

The NME at present has four main exhibition sections. The second floor show art work in a chronological order, from traditional to contemporary works. These include murals, Afewerk Tekle and other Ethiopian artists. Finally, the third floor has an ethnographic display. Here, the museum tries to give an overview of the cultural richness and variety of the peoples of Ethiopia.

Fresco of the Queen of Sheba travelling to SolomonMural on canvas, from Lalibela, now in the National Museum at Addis Ababa. This horseman with a spear is beside Our Lady Mary and is probably St. George, with the rescued princess behind him and her parents gazing down.

Fresco of the Queen of Sheba travelling to Solomon - Details

Fresco of the Queen of Sheba travelling to Solomon - Detail

Fresco of the Queen of Sheba travelling to Solomon - Details

Fresco of the Queen of Sheba travelling to Solomon - Details

The Holy Trinity

"Traditional Painting" by an unknown artist

“African Heritage” by Afewerk Tekle (1967)

Afewerk Tekle (1932 – 2012) was one of Ethiopia's most celebrated artists, particularly known for his paintings on African and Christian themes as well as his stained glass

“African Heritage” by Afewerk Tekle (1967)

Afewerk Tekle (1932 – 2012)Meskel Flower 1959

Afewerk Tekle (1932 – 2012) Hear, say, see no evil

Mother Ethiopia 1963

Other notable works of the renowned artist include, Altar Cross (1959) at Royal Chapel in the Tower of London (England) or the three windows which face the visitor entrance at the UN headquarters, covering an area of 150 square meters and represents the sorrow of Africa’s past, the struggle of the present, and hope for Africa’s future

Oh Addis Ababa behold

In 1981 his painting Self-portrait was the first work by an African artist to enter the permanent collection of the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, Italy

Defender of his Country

Afewerk Tekle (1932 – 2012)

Afewerk Tekle (1932 – 2012)dedicated to great kings who have defended Ethiopia against foreign military intervention, 1958Stained glass window in Harar Military Academy 6 m X 4 m

Afewerk Tekle (1932 – 2012)Demera

Afewerk Tekle (1932 – 2012) Demera (detail)

Meskal is the Ge’ez word for “cross,” and Meskal square is the site for one of the larger celebrations in the city every year. Meskal Day commemorates the discovery of the ‘true cross’ by St. Helena. It takes place on the 27thof September and also marks the end of the rainy season. During the celebration, mobs of people flock to Meskal Square where they light an immense bonfire or Demera, (the smoke the first fire led Helena to the true cross some 1600 years ago), and people mark themselves with a cross on their forehead with the ashes of the blaze once it has burned out.

Afewerk Tekle (1932 – 2012) Lobby of St. Paul’s Hospital

Celebration dinner - Haile Selassie's banquet - traditional painting

Afewerk Tekle (1932 – 2012) Defender of the country

Celebration dinner - Haile Selassie's banquet - traditional painting (Detail)

Ethiopian Artist Mezgebu Tessema

Hair Style“Genital Mutilation” by Abebe Zelelew (2003

“Fetel” by Marta Mengistu (2004)

Meysaw Kassa Oil on canvas, 191 cm x 252 cm, by Eshetu Tiruneh (1989)

Meysaw Kassa by Eshetu Tiruneh (1989) Ethiopia

Ethiopiathe background is the Ethiopian flag colors, the shape is the outline of Ethiopia’s country borders, and it depicts the various peoples in the regions they inhabit

graphical representation, which depicts the heritages of Ethiopia from the obelisk of Axum to Abay River, was painted by MihretuTeumelisan three decades ago

Victim of Famine Eshetu Tiruneh, 1974

Battle of Adwa Unidentified artist, c. 1968

The Journey of the Queen of Sheba

Emperor Haile Selassie

Three Faces of Africa by Daniel Touafe

Hand cross c. 16th to 17th century

A kebero is a double-headed, conical hand drum used in the traditional music of Eritrea and Ethiopia. A piece of animal hide is stretched over each end, thus forming a membranophone. A large version of the instrument is also used in Orthodox Christian liturgical music, while smaller versions are used in secular celebrations

Drum

“Ethiopian Symphony No. 5″ by Girmay Hiwet (2001)

The Lion of Judah, the symbol of the Israelite tribe of Judah

Judah, the fourth son of Jacob, is said to be the tribe's founder. The association between Judah and the lion can first be found in the blessing given by Jacob to Judah in the Book of Genesis. Both King David and Jesus hail from the tribe of Judah. The Lion of Judah is also a phrase used in the Book of Revelation to represent Jesus.In Christian tradition, the Lion of Judah represents the triumphant Jesus. Jesus was from the tribe of Judah and he is mentioned as the Lion of Judah in Revelation. Many Christian organizations and ministries use the lion of Judah as their emblem or even their name. Ethiopia history as recorded and elaborated in a 5th-century treatise, the "Kebre Negest", asserts descent from a retinue of Israelites who returned with Makeda, the Queen of Sheba from her visit to King Solomon in Jerusalem, by whom she had conceived the Solomonic dynasty's founder Menelik I.

As Solomon was of the tribe of Judah, his son Menelik I would continue the line, which according to Ethiopian history was passed directly down from King to King until Emperor Haile Selassie I (ostensibly the 225th king from King David) was deposed in 1974.

Text: InternetPictures: Sanda Foişoreanu Alin Samochis InternetCopyright: All the images belong to their authors

Presentation: Sanda Foişoreanuwww.slideshare.net/michaelasanda

Sound: Meseret Mebrate - Ethiopian Orthodox Mezmur (Yilal Andebete)