On the Horn of Africa, completely landlocked, lies the country of Ethiopia, the second most populous country in all of Africa. Ethiopia has nine regional states, one of which is Oromia. It has recently become possible to get Oromia news.
The history of Oromo, as it is sometimes called, is very interesting. This is as true for recent history as it is for ancient times. Until the beginning of the 21st century, Oromia's capital was Addis Ababa, also known as Finfinne. At this time, the government moved the capital to Adama. The rationale behind this change was that it was more suitable for the cultural growth of the region. Opponents of the switch blamed it on the government wanting to diminish the influence of Addis Ababa. By 2005, the capital was moved back to Finfinne by the People's Democratic Organization of Oromo.
The fact that the news of the region is now available to the rest of the world should be heralded as a welcome change. Until recently, the Ethiopian government prided itself on its ability to hold its cards close to its chest as far as the rest of the world was concerned. The fact that we can now read about repression of the media is a huge step.
In an article published in the Finfinne Tribune, it talks about the ancient origins of the Solomonic Dynasty of Abyssinia. The books of Kings and 2 Chronicles in the Old Testament of the Holy Bible mention an historic meeting between King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba, who was also known as Queen of the South. What you won't find in the OT is any mention of an alleged son who was the product of that meeting, a son who later became King Minilik I.
While the Bible certainly does not shy away from mentioning the products of adulterous relationships (King Solomon himself, the son of King David and Bathsheba was born on the wrong side of the blanket), it makes no mention of a romance between the two monarchs, Solomon and the Queen of Sheba, nor does it say anything about Minilik I.
It was not unusual in ancient times for rulers to claim some form of divine, mystical ancestry. They believed this would set them above their subjects and gave them the ability to reign with unlimited power.
The belief in the divine ascension of Ethiopia's kings was maintained right up until the late 20th century, when the Emperor Haile Sillaassee, himself a member of the Solomonic dynasty, was overthrown. Sillaassee, nee Tafari Makonnen Woldemikael, was regent of Ethiopia from 1916 to 1930, when he became emperor.
Ever since Ethiopia's revolution in 1974, the royal family have had a rather hard time of it. First, they were thrown into prison. Eventually, they were released but forced out of the country. Now, many have returned to live a peaceful, if no longer royal, existence. We get so caught up in events in our own western world that we neglect to take a look at the fascinating stories that emerge from the flyover countries. Now that this information is available, we should take note of it and learn from it.
The history of Oromo, as it is sometimes called, is very interesting. This is as true for recent history as it is for ancient times. Until the beginning of the 21st century, Oromia's capital was Addis Ababa, also known as Finfinne. At this time, the government moved the capital to Adama. The rationale behind this change was that it was more suitable for the cultural growth of the region. Opponents of the switch blamed it on the government wanting to diminish the influence of Addis Ababa. By 2005, the capital was moved back to Finfinne by the People's Democratic Organization of Oromo.
The fact that the news of the region is now available to the rest of the world should be heralded as a welcome change. Until recently, the Ethiopian government prided itself on its ability to hold its cards close to its chest as far as the rest of the world was concerned. The fact that we can now read about repression of the media is a huge step.
In an article published in the Finfinne Tribune, it talks about the ancient origins of the Solomonic Dynasty of Abyssinia. The books of Kings and 2 Chronicles in the Old Testament of the Holy Bible mention an historic meeting between King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba, who was also known as Queen of the South. What you won't find in the OT is any mention of an alleged son who was the product of that meeting, a son who later became King Minilik I.
While the Bible certainly does not shy away from mentioning the products of adulterous relationships (King Solomon himself, the son of King David and Bathsheba was born on the wrong side of the blanket), it makes no mention of a romance between the two monarchs, Solomon and the Queen of Sheba, nor does it say anything about Minilik I.
It was not unusual in ancient times for rulers to claim some form of divine, mystical ancestry. They believed this would set them above their subjects and gave them the ability to reign with unlimited power.
The belief in the divine ascension of Ethiopia's kings was maintained right up until the late 20th century, when the Emperor Haile Sillaassee, himself a member of the Solomonic dynasty, was overthrown. Sillaassee, nee Tafari Makonnen Woldemikael, was regent of Ethiopia from 1916 to 1930, when he became emperor.
Ever since Ethiopia's revolution in 1974, the royal family have had a rather hard time of it. First, they were thrown into prison. Eventually, they were released but forced out of the country. Now, many have returned to live a peaceful, if no longer royal, existence. We get so caught up in events in our own western world that we neglect to take a look at the fascinating stories that emerge from the flyover countries. Now that this information is available, we should take note of it and learn from it.
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