Ethiopian Oral History
Ethiopian oral history has had an important impact in shaping the country both culturally and politically. One legend has had a particularly significant impact: the legend of the Queen of Sheba. According to this legend, the Queen of Sheba came to Jerusalem some time around 1,000 B.C. to see the famed wisdom and wealth of King Solomon with her own eyes. She left Solomon with gold and spices and precious stones, and Solomon in turn “gave to the Queen of Sheba all that she desired” (1 Kings 10:13). The Queen of Sheba’s visit to Jerusalem is historically unquestionable; it can be read about in detail in 1 Kings 10. However, what follows is purely legend: according to the legend, King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba had a son, Menelik I. Menelik was confirmed by Solomon to the be king of Ethiopia. Before returning to Ethiopia, however, Menelik insisted that he be granted to take the Ark of the Covenant, which God had instructed his forefather Moses to build. When he was not given such permission, he stole the Ark and brought it to Ethiopia where many, including most Ethiopians, believe it remains today.
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| Solomon and the Queen of Sheba https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen_of_Sheba |
Thousands of years later, this oral legend was promulgated as historical fact by emperors of the Solomonic Dynasty for political reasons. According to Chuck Missler, “from the restoration of the Solomonic Dynasty [in Ethiopia] around 1270 until the death of last emperor, Haile Selassie [in 1975], the emperors of Ethiopia claimed descent from Solomon and the Queen of Sheba” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1vzsU1aSvk). The claim was even made part of the Ethiopian Constitution in 1955 by Haile Selassie. The legend is widely believed in Ethiopia today to be true. According to Mamman Musa Adamu, this legend “is clearly one of the most accepted, believed, pervasive and resonant among all the legends of origin in Africa, today. The legend is still widely believed by the majority of Ethiopians and is reflected in their day to day lives” (Mamman Musa Adamu, “The Legend of Queen Sheba, the Solomonic Dynasty and Ethiopian History: An Analysis.” African Research Review. Vol. 3 (1), 2009, 468-482.
Ethiopian Music
Music has been an integral part of Ethiopia’s long history. Even today, the Ethiopian University of Addis Ababa’s Yared School of Music states: “Music is an important aspect of life and culture. It is a significant means of expressing and interpreting human experience, which involves the whole person: physical, mental, spiritual and social.”
One instance in which the importance of music can be seen in Ethiopian history is at the Battle of Adwa (1896). The Battle of Adwa was fought between the Ethiopian Empire and the Kingdom of Italy near the town of Adwa, Ethiopia. After the Ethiopian victory, a treaty was signed, and Italy recognized Ethiopia as an independent state: the long history of Ethiopian sovereignty was thus defended and secured. During the battle, strong, poetic, and patriotic songs (called in Amharic, “shilela”) were sung by the soldiers. The songs helped the Ethiopian soldiers to fight with unity, valor, and nationalistic purpose.
Example of a “shilela”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uz6-dI4x3XU
The instrument being played in the above video is called a “Kirar.” The Kirar is a traditional Ethiopian instrument. Another traditional Ethiopian instrument is the “Masinko.” The Masinko has been used in the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. The Masinko is a single-stringed instrument played with a bow.
The Masinko: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-JHemzHe2CI
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