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The people of the area

 

The population of the area belongs to the Amhara ethnic group which is one of the largest ethnic groups in Ethiopia. The religion is predominately Orthodox Christian and Amharic is the local language. The area is the home of the Zagwe rulers who ruled Ethiopia following the decline of the Axumite Empire and provided the ruling elite of the Zagwe dynasty.

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Land Scape 

 

The area is characterized by steep cliffs and jagged peaks.  Its diverse topography includes several high plateaus surrounded by gigantic eroded abysses dotted with the three highest peaks. The big zigit (4,080m), the small zigit (4,035m), and the rim Gedel or Abune Yosef peak (4284m) which is the third highest peak in the country. The area's diverse topography also includes mountain chains cut by gorges and valleys that offer breathtaking views.

 

History of Lalibela

 

The Zagwe kings ruled until the 13th century when a famous priest, Tekla Haymanot, persuaded them to abdicate in favor of a descendant of the old Axumite Solomonic dynasty. However, according to Legend before the throne of Ethiopia was restored to its rightful rulers upon command of God and with the help of angels, Lalibela’s pious zeal converted the royal residence of the zagwe in the town of Roha into a prayer of stone. The Ethiopian church later canonized him and the name of Roha to Lalibela, Roha the center of worldly might, became Lalibela the holy city, and pilgrims to Lalibela shared the same blessing as pilgrims to Jerusalem. According to legend that Lalibela grew up in Roha where his brother was king. It is said that bees prophesied his future greatness and Ethiopian folklore still has it that bees dream for greatness, social advance, and coming riches.  

 

The king made jealous by these prophecies about his brother, tried to poison him but the poison merely cast Lalibela into death-like sleep for three days. During these days an angel carried his soul to heaven to show him the churches, which he was to build. Returned once more to earth he withdrew into the wilderness even if the fame of the seven wonders of the world has been outworn and the word ‘’wonder’’ itself has been misused too often the visitor will rediscover its true meaning when faced with the rock churches of Lalibela. Ever since the first European to describe Lalibela, Francisco Alvarez,  came to this holy city between 1521 and 1525, travelers have tried to put into words their experience praising it as a “new Jerusalem”, a “Golgotha”,  the “Christian citadel in the mountains of wondrous Ethiopia”. Lalibela is home to 11 medieval monolithic churches that were curved out of rock. Still a place of pilgrimage and devotion, the building of this church is attributed to King Lalibela who set out to construct a " new Jerusalem “ in the 12th century after Muslim conquests halted Christian pilgrimages to the holy land.