These African sites existed long before France’s Notre Dame Cathedral

Rock-hewn church (4th Century) – Ethiopia

The Abba Yohani Monastery was built in the 4th century during the Axum Dynasty. Abune Aron Ze Gamche was credited with its construction and had received help from Emperor Gebremeskel, the son of Emperor Kaleb of the Axum Kingdom. Since the churches are difficult to access, their interior is quite well-kept, complete with stunning frescoes of Christ and his disciples. The worshippers use handwritten books whose pages are made of parchment. Abba Yohani is just one of many centuries-old churches in Ethiopia. Some of them include Abuna Yemata Guh which was built 2,580 metres above ground and the medieval stone churches previously known as Roha.

The medieval churches were carved from volcanic rock. Photo credit: Ancient Origins

Page: 1 2 3 4 5 6

Elizabeth Ofosuah Johnson

Elizabeth Johnson is a Ghanaian –Nigerian avid reader and lover of the Creative Arts. She is also a writer and has worked with various online platforms as an editor and content creator. She also produces a literary radio show and has worked as a festival administrator. Her story was featured in the 2017 Independence anthology by Afridiaspora. Her play has been staged by African Theater Workshop and she is the 2018 winner of the Random Thoughts writing Prize.

Recent Posts

Restaurant employee arrested for putting his genitals in food items

Othello Larenzo Holmes has been charged with attempted indecent assault and faces five counts of…

24 mins ago

Howard graduate working at the deli counter at Walmart vies for Olympics

Dylan Beard is a Howard University graduate who is currently working at a Walmart deli.…

49 mins ago

Mike Tyson says he’s avoiding sex with his wife as he prepares for the Jake Paul fight

Boxing legend Mike Tyson is not taking any chances as he prepares for his July…

3 hours ago

LeBron James uncertain over his future at LA Lakers after playoff loss to the Denver Nuggets

LeBron James has cast uncertainty over his future with the Lakers by declining to confirm…

3 hours ago

Florida: Four teens die after crashing suspected stolen car during police chase

Four Florida teenagers were killed after they crashed a suspected stolen car during a police…

3 hours ago

8th grader rescues students on school bus after their driver passes out

When their school bus driver experienced a medical emergency, Acie Holland III came to the…

5 hours ago

‘Why is life so unfair and merciless?’ – Francis Ngannou mourns death of 15-month-old son Kobe

Former UFC heavyweight champion cum professional boxer Francis Ngannou took to social media on Monday…

8 hours ago

This Sudanese teen has tried to cross the Channel to Britain on a small boat over 100 times to see his mother

A 17-year-old migrant from Sudan, Abdul Usman, has attempted to cross the Channel from France…

23 hours ago

How these under-11-year-old sisters are making history in Maryland as CEOs

Tatiyana, Danyelle LaShay, and Jyniah Smith -- the Smith sisters -- are some of the…

23 hours ago

Mother-daughter duo set to graduate from nursing school in full circle moment

It's a full circle moment for mom Tangenicka "Tange" Williams and her daughter Chyna set…

1 day ago

Fat Joe recalls how his followers made him lose $2 million

Fat Joe is widely known for hits like Lean Back, All the Way Up, and…

1 day ago

From his living room, he launched a software company that recently raised $20m with clients like Ford

Get to know Jordan Taylor; he is the founder of Vizcom, a software company that…

1 day ago

Mother charged after children walk more than a mile to Walmart alone

38-year-old Tanice Spence-Clarke was arrested and charged with child neglect without physical harm after police…

1 day ago

Janet Jackson reveals she came close to playing Storm in ‘X-Men’ before the role went to Halle Berry

Janet Jackson might have wielded superpowers alongside Marvel's iconic heroes. But, it was Halle Berry…

1 day ago

‘I would haunt your family for the rest of your life’ – Teacher allegedly threatened student who recorded him using racial slur

A North Carolina mother wants a middle school teacher to be terminated after he allegedly…

1 day ago