Documenti di Didattica
Documenti di Professioni
Documenti di Cultura
are familiar is "Emperor". I also use "Ras" and "Negus". However, my people call me
empire-of-ethiopia/). I understand if the titles are confusing. Since my name is Wolde and I am
emperor of my country, just call me "Emperor Wolde". Although please keep in mind that the
titles are still very important to our Aksumite people and our rich history. Here, in the Kingdom
of Aksum, we try to follow the old ways. Even though we are in the middle of 598 A.D., we still
appreciate the ways of our noble ancestors. We speak Ge'ez, which might explain why some of
the titles were lost on you. It is our intent to strive to maintain our
identity(www.fsmitha.com/h1/ch29af.htm). Our old rivals the Meroe and the Kush are long
gone. Now, much of the Mediterranean, Arabia and India trades with us. Even though it's been
quite some time, the Prophet Mani said back in 3rd century that along with Persia, Rome and
Iranian-religious-leader). Take that, Meroe and Kush! As Emperor, my people look up to me, but
they also look to me to keep our Kingdom of Aksum great! There's a tremendous amount of
pressure. We try to stay a major player in the Spice routes and even occasionally the Silk Road
end up like Meroe and Kush. Then, there's personal pressure on me, too. I'm 23 and I'm still
single. The good people of Aksum want to see me get married and start a family. The bloodline
must continue...and not just so there will be another emperor in the future, but to keep the
precious Solomonic line intact! A big part of the royal family of Aksum...oh, who am I
kidding?!? The only important thing about our royal family is that we are descended from King
Kings 10 and II Chronicles 9 in the Old Testament, the Queen of Sheba visited King Solomon.
Our legend tells us that we, of the royal family, are descended from their son, Menelik(ibid.).
This might just sound like a story to you, but it's very important to our identity. Our religious
faith is also part of our identity. It is who we are. Our national identity is deeply interwoven with
our religion. We are Orthodox Christians. To be more specific, we are Ethiopian Orthodox
Christians. We are not polytheistic like much of Africa. We are not animists like some of the
other African tribes. We are not Jews like some who live near the Red Sea. We were not
introduced to Christianity by the Europeans! We didn't get Christianity second-hand from Rome!
It wasn't imposed on us! St. Mark the Evangelist brought Christianity to Egypt and Africa from
Jesus Christ, the Apostles and the Holy Land! This is of paramount importance to us. It was a
gift outright! It is the Pearl of Great Price! It was entrusted to us. We must uphold it. We must
safeguard it. If, in the future, any group, friend or foe, Black African, White European or Brown
Arab, tries to introduce a new or different religion to us, we must not submit! We, no matter if
the world knows us as Aksumite, or Abyssinian or Ethiopian, must never compromise our
Orthodox Christianity. It is our identity and our heritage. We have already felt outside forces at
work to undermine our faith and to challenge our identity. Back in 451 A.D., we Christians had
our 4th ecumenical council. The Christian churches meet in Chalcedon, just east of
Constantinople. The other Orthodox Churches accepted a new definition of Christ's nature. We
rejected their definition of the two natures of Christ. Therefore, in terms of our religious faith, we
are no longer in communion with our Greek Orthodox brothers and sisters from Athens or from
Constantinople and with our Arab Orthodox brothers and sisters from
Orthodox from Kerala. However, in terms of proximity, they are quite far away from us (with the
possible exception of the Copts). Since we are traders and a vital part of many well-established
routes, we come in contact with many outsiders. We deal with them warmly, honestly and
courteously, but we must hold fast to our precious faith! We are proud of our faith. It is our
national identity. It sets us apart from many others, particularly other Africans. Perhaps this is
the Ark of the Covenant! We try not broadcast it much, because we don't need invaders and
raiders here. It's right here in Aksum. Maybe I shouldn't have said that. We want to keep it safe
here. I'm thinking of maybe in the future having our artisans carve out one of our churches (or
destinations.com/ethiopia/lalibela). That seems like a good place for a church. Well, that's just
something else to think about. I better write a note to remind myself about that. Well, as they say,
"uneasy lies the head that wears a crown". And, if they don't say it yet, someone eventually will.