Unit Three: Studying Africa through the Humanities

Module Fourteen: Religion in Africa

Teacher's Edition

Unit Three: Studying Africa through the Humanities
Module Fourteen: Religion in Africa

Religious Photographs and Iconography from Aksum and Ethiopia

Obelisk from ancient Aksum

Church carved out of rock, Lablibella, Ethiopia

Roof of rock church, Lablibella, Ethiopia

Rock church, Lalibella, Ethiopia

Holy Treasury of the Cathedral in Aksum

Trinity Ethiopian Orthodox Church, Addis Ababa

Ethiopian Orthodox Church

Priest of Holy Treasury of the Cathedral of Aksum

Priest at Lalibella Rock Church

Ethiopian orthodox priests at Festival of Timket

Ethiopian Religious Iconography

Ethiopia has a rich tradition of Christian religious art. The following paintings are representations by Adamu Tesfaw, a contemporary Ethiopian artist, of traditional Ethiopian Christian themes. These paintings are part of an Ethiopian art collection held by the Michigan State University Museum. To learn more about the artist and this art tradition, please visit this website:

http://www2.h-het.msu.edu/~etoc/Pages/adamu_gallery.html

What stories do the paintings tell? How are the paintings similar to and different from religious paintings that you are familiar with?

Gebre Manfus Qedus. Painting by Ethiopian artist Adamu Tesfaw

Michigan State University Museum #7557.36
Photo by Kim Kauffman

Saint Mercurius Slaying Julianius. Painting by Ethiopian artist Adamu Tesfaw

Michigan State University Museum #7557.34
Photo by Kim Kauffman

Saint Yared with the Holy Family. Painting by Ethiopian artist Adamu Tesfaw
Michigan State University Museum #7557.39
Photo by Kim Kauffman

Saint George Slaying the Dragon. Painting by Ethiopian artist Adamu Tesfaw
Michigan State University Museum #7557.35
Photo by Kim Kauffman