Ethiopia: The Land of Origins

Chapter 1: Lucy - The Origin of Humanity 

As our plane touched down in Addis Ababa, one phrase immediately caught my eye. All around the terminal were Ethiopian Airlines planes, each proudly bearing the words: “The Land of Origins.” I noticed something else too — there were no other airlines in sight, only Ethiopian. That phrase lingered in my mind and sparked my curiosity. What did it mean? Over the next several days, as I traveled through the country, I began to understand.


First Impressions: Addis Ababa

Our first order of business was a city tour of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s bustling capital. The day began with a drive up to the Entoto Hills, where the air felt thinner at 2,900 meters (9400 feet) above sea level. Nestled in the hills is Entoto Maryam Church, one of the oldest Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Churches. Built in 1877 by Emperor Menelik II, the church stands out with its striking octagonal dome. We were met by a downpour as we arrived at Maryam Church, so we immediately took shelter in the museum a few steps away. Inside, I felt transported back in time, surrounded by the treasures of the emperor and empress — crowns, jewels, and royal costumes that carried the weight of history. A mirror gifted by Queen Victoria to Empress Taytu added a surprising global connection to this mountain sanctuary.


While the service was taking place, we passed the church and explored the old palace and museum. There we found even more artifacts, along with preserved spaces that revealed glimpses of royal life — the kings’ and princesses’ entrance, the kitchen, and other rooms that told their story.


Sadly, the weather kept us from enjoying the panoramic view from Entoto Hills. Rain and fog obscured the horizon, allowing us only fleeting glimpses of the city skyline below.


Next, we visited the Ethnological Museum, housed inside the former palace of Emperor Haile Selassie, now part of Addis Ababa University. The museum itself was fascinating — anthropological, musical, and cultural treasures filled the rooms. Yet what struck me most was walking through the palace where Haile Selassie once lived. History wasn’t just behind glass here; it surrounded you.


The highlight of the city tour was the National Museum of Ethiopia. This is where I finally met “Lucy” — or at least her fossilized remains. Lucy, the famous Australopithecus afarensis, walked these lands over 3 million years ago, long before there were borders, languages, or civilizations. Standing before her fragile bones, I felt time collapse into a single, humbling moment. Here was not just an ancient ancestor, but a reminder that the human story begins in Africa, and in a very real sense, begins right here in Ethiopia.


The museum also houses Selam, the remarkably preserved fossil of a three-year-old child, dating back 3.3 million years. The fossils of Lucy and Selam under the same roof? I understood why Ethiopia proudly calls itself “The Land of Origins.” This wasn’t just Ethiopia’s history on display — it was humanity’s earliest chapter. The journey of mankind, with all its triumphs and struggles, traces back to these highlands. Suddenly, Ethiopia was no longer just a destination on my map; it was the place where the story of us began.



Before leaving Addis, we wandered through Merkato, said to be the largest open-air market in Africa. Established by the Italians in 1937, it now bustles with endless stalls, vendors, and people. It was sensory overload — the sounds, the colors, the smells — but it gave me a glimpse into everyday Ethiopian life.


PHOTO GALLERY 









Lucy



NOTE: All photos by the author


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