The Unesco World Heritage site of Lalibela in Ethiopia is one of the most extraordinary places in the world. It contains thirteen churches hewn or carved from the native tufa rock in imitation of buildings. As legend has it, the site was founded in the 13th century by King Lalibela, ruler of a newly united kingdom a number of centuries after the fall of the sacred capital Aksum. However, nothing of its accepted or assumed history can be regarded as certain. Lalibela and the Ethiopian kingdom remained unknown to the West during the period of the Crusades and first came to western notice when its ruler sent an embassy to Portugal at the beginning of the 16th century. Dissecting the fragmentary evidence--including decorations, church furnishings, manuscripts, and mural paintings--requires a knowledge of Ethiopian culture and its languages that the authors of this book are rare in possessing. This is the first book to consider this extraordinary site in all its many dimensions--historical and cultural, archaeological, architectural, art historical, and documentary. Claude Lepage is professor emeritus, chair of Byzantine art, at the Ecole pratique des hautes-etudes, Paris, author with Jacques Mercier of Art Ethiopien: Les Eglises historiques du Tigray. Jacques Mercier is researcher at the Centre national de la recherche scientifique, Paris, and author of Vierges d'Ethiopie: Portraits de Marie dans la peinture ethiopienne and L'Arche Ethiopienne: Art chritien d'ethiopie.

Written in trochaic rhythm, after the rhythm of Finland's classic tale, "The Kalevala," Poe's "The Raven," and Longfellow's "Song of Hiawatha," "Lalibela, Priest King of Ethiopia," is a spiritual biography of death and resurrection, based on legends of the historical 13th century figure. When Lalibela, Priest King of Ethiopia, is murdered at the hands of his jealous step-brother and step-sister, and buried in the cleft of a rock face, he has a vision of the Archangel Michael, who instructs him to build ten churches. Lalibela must rise from the dead in order to fulfill his mission of building the ten rock-hewn churches. A soothsayer has a vision of the future, while standing on a mountaintop, in the dry and rocky land of Ethiopia. In his vision, he sees a dark-skinned infant being born to noble parents, in the cleft of a rock face. The father is King Zagwe of Ethiopia, and the mother, Keru Worgna, is the daughter of an Ethiopian priest. The Soothsayer hears the sound of bees buzzing, and smells the sweet scent of honey around the child. They name the child Lalibela. The soothsayer's prophecy of Lalibela's birth reaches his soon to be step-sister, Orierna, and step-brother, Gophre. They are jealous because they know that if a young prince is born, he will inherit the kingdom. If Lalibela dies, Gophre will become the king. So, they vow to murder Lalibela before he reaches the throne. The prophecy is fulfilled, Lalibela is born 'in the cleft of a great rock-face', just as the soothsayer predicted. He grows up into a kind, loving and wise young man, showing love for nature and for every living creature. He cannot bear to eat before anyone else, even his dog. So, he always feeds his dog and servant first. Orierna and Gophre grow more and more jealous of Lalibela. One day, Orierna asks the Witch Doctor to give her a poison herb, so she can murder her step-brother. He warns her that Lalibela is destined to be king, and says she is wicked for wishing him dead. When she persists, he gives her the poison herb, explaining that no one lives who tastes it, 'only he whom God has favored'. Orierna grabs the herb and hurries away to do her evil deed. Orierna makes a potion from the poison herb. While Lalibela lies in his chamber waiting for his servant to bring his supper, Orierna chases his dog away and overtakes the servant. She puts the poison into his food, and serves it herself to Lalibela. As is his custom, Lalibela calls back his dog and his servant to eat before him. Orierna and Lalibela watch in horror, as the dog and servant both die a painful death in front of their eyes. Orierna runs away in fear. Lalibela is heartbroken that his beloved friends died because of him, so he decides to accept his fate. He eats the poisoned food. As he feels his life slipping away, he forgives Orierna and wishes Gophre well in his new kingdom. At last, his lifeless body collapses. Orierna and Gophre carry the body of Lalibela into the mountains, and bury him in the cleft of a rock face. When they feel warmth still coming from his body, they decide to leave the tomb open, for the elements to finish him. While Lalibela lies in his tomb, he is carried up to heaven and has a vision. The Archangel Michael instructs him to build churches out of stone, and teaches him the spiritual wisdom of the world. Then he baptizes Lalibela in the River Jordan and commands him to return to his homeland to build the churches. After three days, Lalibela overcomes the poison and rises from his tomb. He returns to his homeland, and with the help of his people and the angels, over a period of many decades, builds the ten rock-hewn churches, which are still standing to this day in Lalibela, Ethiopia! The author, Bonita Maffei, is an artist, Eurythmist and writer living in Monterey, California.

Descend into the gorgeous ancient rock churches of Ethiopia and learn to read in indigenous Ethiopian languages with this beautiful picture book detailing the world-famous churches of Lalibela, which were carved straight down into red rock cliffs. Pilgrims from all over the world travel to Lalibela to worship or marvel at the carvings and holy places of early Christianity in Eastern Africa. The network of underground tunnels and churches are protected UNESCO World Heritage sites and have withstood millennia of religious, political and historical changes. They remain some of the most beautiful and striking Christian churches in the world. Watercolor students at Clark College in Vancouver, Washington created detailed illustrations of the stunning historical churches of Lalibela and side by side text in English and Ethiopian languages like Amharic, Tigrinya and Afaan Oromo support emerging bilingual readers. Ready Set Go Books, an Open Hearts Big Dreams Project, is focused on increasing the literacy rate in Ethiopia through giving readers books with stories in their heart languages, full of colorful illustrations with Ethiopian settings and details. Profits from book sales are used to create, print, and distribute more Ready Set Go Books to kids in Ethiopia, Africa's second most populous country. Ethiopia's population is 44% children, ages 0-14 (43 million out of 97 million total). Only 5.5% of children attend pre-school or kindergarten, and the adult literacy rate is 49%. Our books are based on wise Ethiopian sayings that often rhyme in Amharic. If an adult says the first half, many children can chant the second half. Sometimes the meaning of these sayings is clear. Sometimes it has to be puzzled out and argued over. But sayings and idioms and proverbs help people express truths and beliefs in unusual ways. Since late 2017, OHBD has published over 100 unique #ReadySetGo dual language titles in three Ethiopian languages plus English and has plans to publish another 100 titles and add more languages in the coming years. New titles and/or languages are added monthly; follow our author page to get new release announcements. Open Hearts Big Dreams Fund (OHBD) is a 501(3)(c) not for profit organization that believes the chance to dream big dreams should not depend on where in the world you are born. Our mission is to inspire and enable youth in Ethiopia through READY SET GO books, STEM and Innovation Projects in collaboration with individuals and organizations providing literacy, education, and leadership opportunities.

While the world taps its feet, Ethiopia breakdances with its shoulders. This is an uplifting, inspirational country which confounds expectations. It’s no featureless desert but a land of majestic landscapes surrounding a vast, fertile plateau. The rock-hewn churches in its medieval capital, Lalibela, are regarded by many as the eighth wonder of the world. Its people are welcoming, proud and besotted by their own culture and history. Bradt’s Ethiopia is the most thorough guide available to this country rich in culture, history and dramatic scenery, and has been highly praised by both travel press and readers. ‘Thorough and reassuring, it provides all the practical and background information to make readers leap from their armchairs and visit this vast, magical country’ The Daily Telegraph (UK)

Long ago in the mountains of Ethiopia, the bees arrived in Lalibela, and people poured in from all around to procure their sweet honey. A young girl named Almaz vows one day her honey will be the best of all. When she shares her dream with the current beekeepers, they laugh her away and tell her it's men's work. Almaz is determined to prove them all wrong, but she can barely climb the trees to reach the hives. The men think she's learned her lesson, but they don't know Almaz. She's steadfast in her pursuit of the honey. In this spirited text by Cristina Kessler, with stunning illustrations from Leonard Jenkisn, perseverance is the key to achieving one's dreams.

This landmark book is the first to integrate historical, archaeological, and art-historical evidence to provide a comprehensive account of Ethiopian Christian civilisation and its churches - from the Aksumite period to the 13th century.

The Rough Guide to Ethiopia includes Addis Ababa, Bishoftu, Lake Tana, Gondar, Simien Mountains National Park, Aksum, Lalibela, Harar, the Rift Valley lakes, Bale Mountains National Park, and South Omo. The Rough Guide to Ethiopia is the ultimate travel guide to one of Africa's most compelling destinations. It leads you through the country with reliable information and insightful coverage of all the main attractions, from Gondar's towering castles to Lalibela's magnificent rock-hewn churches and from the beautiful Rift Valley lakes to the wildlife-rich Bale Mountains National Park. Detailed maps and up-to-date listings pinpoint the best cafés, restaurants, hotels, shops, bars and nightlife, ensuring you make the most of your trip. Packed with pre-departure advice and practical tips, the Basics section contains all the information you need to travel around Ethiopia, including transportation, accommodation, food, drink, costs, and health, while Contexts fills you in on history, wildlife, music, and books, and includes a handy Language section. Full coverage: Addis Ababa, Bishoftu (Debre Zeyit), Tiya and Melka Kunture archeological sites, Menagesha National Forest, Debre Libanos, Bahir Dar, Lake Tana, Blue Nile Falls, Gondar, Simien Mountains National Park, Aksum, Adwa, Adigrat, Tigrai Region, Mekele, Dessie, Lalibela, Mount Abune Yoseph, Bilbilla, Awash National Park, Dire Dawa, Harar, Lake Ziway, Lake Langano, Abijata-Shala National Park, Shashamene, Hawassa, Bale Mountains National Park, Arba Minch, Karat (Konso) and South Omo.

Two sections of EarthÕs crust meet to form the Great Rift Valley in the middle of Ethiopia. Bordering the valley are some of AfricaÕs most expansive highland areas, lending Ethiopia the nickname, Òthe roof of Africa.Ó Discover the diversity of landscapes, people, and wildlife in this informative title for young readers.

This book is a systemic examination of prophecies and instructions to Ethiopia by God. They show how God used Ethiopia to ensure the continuation of the chosen people, supporting the kingdom of heaven. There are many prophecies and signs specifically referenced to Ethiopia and the Ethiopian people. In many verses, Ethiopia is specifically addressed to come to the aid and/or support prophets spreading Christianity. It would be hard to overstate the impact of Ethiopia on the advancement of Christianity. For example, King Tirhakah, the Ethiopian king of Egypt/Ethiopia, intervened to save Judah in the year 620 BC. This event is well documented in the Bible and other ancient writings. If we fast-forward two thousand years, we find the Ethiopian Church of today that has a membership of between 40 and 46 million; Christians which make up about 60 percent of the total population of the country. Ethiopia was also the first country to declare Christianity a state religion and had never been occupied by a foreign country. This book will explain how God commissioned the Ethiopians to work for the kingdom of God and to spread Christianity geographically and ethically to the ends of the earth. The relationship between God and the Ethiopia people represent the greatest story never told until now. Writing this book was a very difficult task; I relied on the Lord and his wisdom. I was guided by Philippians 1:6: "Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." This book represents a story that needed to be told and God-inspired.

Of all the African nations, Ethiopia is most prone to misconceptions. The 1985 famine and the cracked barren earth of the Danakil Depression are not images quickly forgotten. This fully updated guide refocuses the lens to reveal an ancient country that continues to surpass all expectations: from the ancient Judaic cultures of the fertile highlands to the colourful animist people of the South Omo Valley, from the Afro-pine moorland of the Bale Mountains National Park to the thundering Blue Nile Falls. Taking you far off the beaten track, the author presents more of this expansive beautiful land, believed to be the cradle of humankind.Bradt's Ethiopia provides the most comprehensive coverage of any English-language guidebook on the market. Not only does it include towns and villages well off the beaten track, but it goes into greater depth than its competitors, with more detail on the history, culture and sights, and more opinionated and entertaining reviews of hotels and restaurants. In addition, it features detailed information on wildlife, national parks and trekking routes found in no other book.