During my two-week stay in Ethiopia, I didn’t see any traffic lights – even in the capital Addis Ababa, where five million people are said to reside. Yet, drivers, including those of numerous minibus taxis, are refreshingly civilized (a happy surprise and shock to South Africans). Traffic runs smoothly. No chaos.
Although Ethiopia is one of the fastest growing economies in the world, GDP per capita is still one of the lowest. Its richness lies in its gentle but resilient people, long history, diverse and unique culture, and breathtakingly beautiful landscape.
This time, I travelled around northern Ethiopia – Addis Ababa, Lalibela, Axum, Yeha, Adwa, Simien Mountains National Park, Gondar, Lake Tana, Bahir Dar and Blue Nile.
2週間のエチオピア滞在中、信号をひとつも目にしなかった。5百万人が住んでいるといわれる首都アディスアベバですら信号がない。なのに、交通は混乱もなく進む。アグレッシブなドライバーが多い南アフリカから来た者にとっては驚異的である。
エチオピアは現在、世界でも経済成長が著しい国。それでも国民の大多数がとても貧しい。エチオピアの豊かさは、優しくかつ強靭な国民、長い歴史、多様性に富みユニークな文化、そして息を呑むほど美しい自然にある。
今回の旅では国の北部を回った。（アディスアベバ、ラリベラ、アクスム、イェハ、アドワ、シエミン国立公園、ゴンダル、タナ湖、バヒールダール、青ナイル川。）
Two women walking in front of construction site. Addis Ababa
People across the street from National Museum of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa
Roof at Palace of Menalik II, Mount Entonto, Addis Ababa
Chimney at Palace of Menalik II. Mount Entonto, Addis Ababa
Girl singing aloud, oblivious of her family’s activity around her. Shiro-Meda (cotton market), Addis Ababa
Barbershop. Addis Ababa
Mannequins. Adwa Street, Addis Ababa
Dog relaxing. Adwa Street, Addis Ababa
Grocery shop where I bought tea. Adwa Street, Addis Ababa
Old lady walking in the middle of the road, Addis Ababa
Priest standing at the entrance. Holy Trinity Cathedral, Addis Ababa
Head part of Emperor Haile Selassie’s chair. Holy Trinity Cathedral, Addis Ababa
In every church you see people (mostly middle-aged and old women) squatting or sitting on the ground. They rely on the goodwill of churchgoers, but are seldom seen actively begging. Holy Trinity Cathedral, Addis Ababa
After rain in late afternoon. Addis Ababa
Fruit sellers. Addis Ababa
“Look!” Addis Ababa
Wild flowers. On the way to Ne’akuto Le’ab Church, Lalibela
Happy herdboy running along. On the way to Ne’akuto Le’ab Church, Lalibela
Cactus. Ne’akuto Le’ab Church, Lalibela
Wild flowers. Ne’akuto Le’ab Church, Lalibela
Sneakers at the door. Ne’akuto Le’ab Church, Lalibela
Priest at Ne’akuto Le’ab Church, Lalibela
Lone tree standing on top of hill. Ne’akuto Le’ab Church, Lalibela
Boy squatting in front of house, marked “x” and “-1”, Lalibela
Door at Beta Medhane Alem, Lalibela
Children giggling. Beta Maryam, Lalibela
Three men chatting. Lalibela
Man holding a book, Lalibela
Carpet and drums. Beta Meskel, Lalibela
Thatched-roof. On the way to Yemrehane Kristos Cave Church, Lalibela
Herdboy waving. On the way to Yemrehane Kristos Cave Church, Lalibela
Three brothers herding goats. On the way to Yemrehane Kristos Cave Church, Lalibela
The eldest brother looking proud. On the way to Yemrehane Kristos Cave Church, Lalibela
Boys waving at our vehicle. On the way to Yemrehane Kristos Cave Church, Lalibela
Going home after church. On the way to Yemrehane Kristos Cave Church, Lalibela
Man walking in the field. On the way to Yemrehane Kristos Cave Church, Lalibela
Wife preparing tea. Village near Yemrehane Kristos Cave Church, Lalibela
Mother and toddler. Village near Yemrehane Kristos Cave Church, Lalibela
All the cats I saw in this village were orange. Village near Yemrehane Kristos Cave Church, Lalibela
Very curious little girls. Village near Yemrehane Kristos Cave Church, Lalibela
Girl looking solemn. Yemrehane Kristos Cave Church, Lalibela
Girl looking amused. Yemrehane Kristos Cave Church, Lalibela
Thatch-roofed house. Yemrehane Kristos Cave Church, Lalibela
Cat crawling into the house. Village near Yemrehane Kristos Cave Church, Lalibela
I wonder what everybody is looking at. Village near Yemrehane Kristos Cave Church, Lalibela
Lady at a coffee house. Village near Yemrehane Kristos Cave Church, Lalibela
Old man pondering. Village near Yemrehane Kristos Cave Church, Lalibela
Father and son. Village near Yemrehane Kristos Cave Church, Lalibela
Young woman. Village near Yemrehane Kristos Cave Church, Lalibela
Boy carrying leaves on the head. Lalibela
Firewood. Beta Aba Libanos, Lalibela
Priest reading the scripture. Beta Aba Libanos, Lalibela
Priest standing at the entrance. Beta Emanuel, Lalibela
Cat and her human. Beta Giyorgis, Lalibela
Beta Giyorgis. Lalibela
DVD shop. Axum
The tallest stelae (33 m), credited to the 3rd-century King Remhai, was never been erected probably because the base was too small to support it. The Main Stelae Field, Axum
Flowers at the Main Stelae Fields, Axum
Bird at Tombs of Kaleb and Gabre Meskel, Axum
Many people gather at Mai Shum (Queen Sheba’s Bath), washing, cleaning, swimming and collecting water. Axum
Young woman sitting on the stairs. Tsion Maryam Church, Axum
Shop at Tsion Maryam Church, Axum
Toddler looking serious. Tsion Maryam Church, Axum
Window washer. Tsion Maryam Church, Axum
Window washer. Tsion Maryam Church, Axum
Woman sitting on the ground. Tsion Maryam Church, Axum
Motorbike passing a smart-looking elderly gentleman with sheep. Axum
Girl herding sheep. Axum
Young woman looking melancholic. Axum
Mother looking after four kids. Axum
Husband and wife in discussion. Axum
Street. Axum
Old woman sitting in shade. Arbaet-Ensesa (Church of the Four Animals), Axum
Woman sitting in shade. Arbaet-Ensesa (Church of the Four Animals), Axum
Pigeon house. Arbaet-Ensesa (Church of the Four Animals), Axum
Two women walking with parasol. Axum
Shop window. Axum
Woman at a shop. Axum
Awning. Axum
Roof construction. Axum
Street sign. Axum
Durgur ruins. Axum
Durgur ruins. Axum
This girl followed us without uttering a word. Quarry, Axum
Woman walking with donkey. Axum
Tef field. On the way to Lion of Gobedra, Axum
Quiet girl. On the way to Lion of Gobedra, Axum
Goat on rock. On the way down from Lion of Gobedra, Axum
Man checking messages on donkey cart. On the way to Aba Gerima, east of Adwa
Sunbird. Aba Gerima, east of Adwa
On the way to Yeha
Two young women. Yeha
Woman yawning. Yeha
Man sleeping. Yeha
At the museum entrance. Yeha
Happy baby sheep with mommy. Yeha
Children drawing water. Yeha
Mattress on taxi roof. Adwa
Three boys after school. Adwa
Young family. Adwa
Pretty girl on the way back from Adwa to Axum
Horse cart, Shire
Ploughing. On the way from Shire to Debark
Boy ploughing with two oxen. On the way from Shire to Debark
Girl and skinny calf. On the way from Shire to Debark
Play time. On the way from Shire to Debark
Camels and cows under big tree. On the way from Shire to Debark
Stunning girls. On the way from Shire to Debark
Super friendly kids. On the way from Shire to Debark
On the way from Shire to Debark
On the way from Shire to Debark
On the way from Shire to Debark
Furniture maker. Debark
On the way from Debark to Simien Mountains National Park
Morning walk in the mist, Simien Mountains National Park
Morning walk, Simien Mountains National Park
Geladas play-fighting. Simien Mountains National Park
Jump! Juvenile geladas love jumping/falling from a tree. Simien Mountains National Park
Adult male gelada on the watch. Simien Mountains National Park
Geladas spend many hours a day grooming each other. Simien Mountains National Park
Flowers. Simien Mountains National Park
Woman in the mist. Simien Mountains National Park
Man with horses. Simien Mountains National Park
Farmers. On the way from Simien National Park to Gondar
Neighbourhood kids rushed to see us, who were watching the farmer tossing hay. On the way from Simien National Park to Gondar
Falasha village. On the way from Simien National Park to Gondar
Bird at Royal Enclosure, Gondar
Fire finch. The Four Sisters, the restaurant, leaves crumbs outside for birds. Gondar
Broken pot. Gondar
White-cheeked turaco. Gondar
Door with writing. Kuskuam Church, Gondar
Boy observing from above. Kuskuam Church, Gondar
Kuskuam Church, Gondar
Discarded cart. Fasilides Bath, Gondar
Red flowers on the door. Debre Birhan Selassie Church, Gondar
“What do you want?” Gondar
Dog looking back. Gondar
Boy dragging empty plastic bottles. Gondar
Narge Selassie, Lake Tana
Silver-cheeked hornbill. Narge Selassie, Lake Tana
Pelicans flying over Lake Tana
A lot of children and some adults, like this priest, are seen wearing these green plastic shoes. Azewa Mariam Church, Zeghie, Lake Tana
Fishing in papyrus boat. Lake Tana
Outlet of Blue Nile. Lake Tana
The first Pepsi vehicles I saw. Coca-Cola is all over the country. Bahir Dar
On the way from Bahir Dar to Blue Nile Falls
On the way from Bahir Dar to Blue Nile Falls
Walk from Tis Abay Town to Blue Nile Falls
Walk from Tis Abay Town to Blue Nile Falls
Blue Nile Falls with rainbow
Blue Nile Falls with flowers
Crossing Blue Nile. It took us only 5 minutes by a small motorboat.
Masako Osada Visual Arts 