Ethiopia Portraits
The Ethiopian Patriots’ Association supports the descendants of those who served the country, particularly in the early part of the Second World War during what is often referred to as the Second Italo-Abyssinia War. Many of them are quite destitute and must rely on a meagre pension distributed by the Association. The first twelve photographs shown here were taken in 2007 at one such pension distribution.
The remaining photographs were taken on personal visits to Ethiopia in 2006 and 2007.
Out of all the countries I have visited and worked in over the years, Ethiopia occupies a prominent place in my thoughts and, I have to admit, in my heart, too. In many ways it is an enchanting country with often spectacular scenery and a fascinating history, but it can often be an immensely frustrating place for an expat to live and work in for any extended period.
It is a proud nation – justifiably so, having been occupied but never fully colonised and having twice defeated a mechanised European army (in 1896 and in 1941) with little more than spears and single-shot, bolt-action rifles.
Many other African nations have incorporated the colours of the Ethiopia flag into their own standards and those colours are much in evidence in the personal clothing of some in the Caribbean, particularly the Rastafari in Jamaica. Rastafarianism (as it is sometimes known) is a ‘religion’ that sprang up in 1930, shortly after the coronation of Emperor Haile Selassie I of Ethiopia which, it has been claimed (not by Ethiopians, I should add), was the fulfilment of a Biblical prophecy.
Haile Selassie (meaning ‘Power of the Trinity’) was the HIM’s baptismal name which also became his Imperial name. Originally he was called Taferi Makonnen and in his earlier years he held the title of Ras (being ‘head’ of a region), hence Ras Taferi.
HIM was a member of the Solomonic dynasty, which claims to trace its lineage to Emperor Menelik I, believed to be the son of King Solomon and Makeda, the Queen of Sheba.
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Man with a Blue Scarf – Patriots’ Association, Addis Abeba, Ethiopia
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Man wearing a Coat and Striped Shirt – Patriots’ Association, Addis Abeba, Ethiopia
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Man wearing a Blue Jacket, Blue Hat, Red Background – Patriots’ Association, Addis Abeba, Ethiopia
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Man with White Hair – Patriots’ Association, Addis Abeba, Ethiopia
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Man wearing a Purple Hat – Patriots’ Association, Addis Abeba, Ethiopia
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Man wearing Sunglasses (visually impaired) – Patriots’ Association, Addis Abeba, Ethiopia
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Woman wearing a Black Headscarf and White Shawl – Patriots’ Association, Addis Abeba, Ethiopia
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Woman wearing a Black Headscarf and Beige Patterned Dress – Patriots’ Association, Addis Abeba, Ethiopia
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Man wearing a Green/Red/Yellow Hat – Patriots’ Association, Addis Abeba, Ethiopia
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Woman wearing a Black Headscarf and White Shawl carrying a Prayer Stick – Patriots’ Association, Addis Abeba, Ethiopia
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Man with White Beard wearing Blue Shirt, Red Background – Patriots’ Association, Addis Abeba, Ethiopia
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Man wearing Peaked Cap, White Coat and Scarf – Patriots’ Association, Addis Abeba, Ethiopia
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Young Woman with Curly Hair wearing a Black Top – Addis Abeba Hilton Hotel Gardens, Ethiopia
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Edom, Purchasing Officer, Addis Abeba Hilton Hotel, Ethiopia
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Nun wearing a Pale Blue Hat and Colourful Scarf, Northern Ethiopia
[ETH-3084] Young Deacon at a Church Door – northern Ethiopia
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‘Auntie’ wearing a Black Headscarf and White Shawl – Addis Abeba, Ethiopia
[ETH-5003] Head Nun with Bougainvillea – Sebeta Orphanage and Girls’ School near Addis Abeba, Ethiopia
[ETH-5066] Two Schoolgirls at Lunch – Sebeta Orphanage and Girls’ School near Addis Abeba, Ethiopia
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Schoolgirl – St Mary’s School, Addis Abeba, Ethiopia
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Disabled Athletes with Trophy and Medals – Addis Abeba, Ethiopia
[ETH-8028] Team of Disabled Athletes with Trophy and Medals – Addis Abeba, Ethiopia
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Man with a Blue Scarf – Patriots’ Association, Addis Abeba, Ethiopia
[ETH-0055]
Man wearing a Coat and Striped Shirt – Patriots’ Association, Addis Abeba, Ethiopia
[ETH-0059]
Man wearing a Blue Jacket, Blue Hat, Red Background – Patriots’ Association, Addis Abeba, Ethiopia
[ETH-0064]
Man with White Hair – Patriots’ Association, Addis Abeba, Ethiopia
[ETH-0082]
Man wearing a Purple Hat – Patriots’ Association, Addis Abeba, Ethiopia
[ETH-0098]
Man wearing Sunglasses (visually impaired) – Patriots’ Association, Addis Abeba, Ethiopia
[ETH-0100]
Woman wearing a Black Headscarf and White Shawl – Patriots’ Association, Addis Abeba, Ethiopia
[ETH-0110]
Woman wearing a Black Headscarf and Beige Patterned Dress – Patriots’ Association, Addis Abeba, Ethiopia
[ETH-0115]
Man wearing a Green/Red/Yellow Hat – Patriots’ Association, Addis Abeba, Ethiopia
[ETH-0125]
Woman wearing a Black Headscarf and White Shawl carrying a Prayer Stick – Patriots’ Association, Addis Abeba, Ethiopia
[ETH-1040]
Man with White Beard wearing Blue Shirt, Red Background – Patriots’ Association, Addis Abeba, Ethiopia
[ETH-1044]
Man wearing Peaked Cap, White Coat and Scarf – Patriots’ Association, Addis Abeba, Ethiopia
[ETH-1046]
Young Woman with Curly Hair wearing a Black Top – Addis Abeba Hilton Hotel Gardens, Ethiopia
[ETH-1108]
Edom, Purchasing Officer, Addis Abeba Hilton Hotel, Ethiopia
[ETH-1116]
Nun wearing a Pale Blue Hat and Colourful Scarf, Northern Ethiopia
[ETH-3084] Young Deacon at a Church Door – northern Ethiopia
[ETH-4019]
‘Auntie’ wearing a Black Headscarf and White Shawl – Addis Abeba, Ethiopia
[ETH-5003] Head Nun with Bougainvillea – Sebeta Orphanage and Girls’ School near Addis Abeba, Ethiopia
[ETH-5066] Two Schoolgirls at Lunch – Sebeta Orphanage and Girls’ School near Addis Abeba, Ethiopia
[ETH-6027]
Schoolgirl – St Mary’s School, Addis Abeba, Ethiopia
[ETH-8020]
Disabled Athletes with Trophy and Medals – Addis Abeba, Ethiopia
[ETH-8028] Team of Disabled Athletes with Trophy and Medals – Addis Abeba, Ethiopia