Page 437 - Volume 2_CHANGES_merged_with links

Community Economic Development

‘ubuntu’ - 'I Am Because We Are'

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The last known (nominal) emperor to reign was crowned in about the 10th century, but

the empire's influence and power ended long before that.
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The other major feature of the town are the old and new Church of Our Lady Mary of Zion.

The Church of Our Lady Mary of Zion was built in 1665 by Emperor Fasilides and said to
have previously housed the Ark of the Covenant."
"Axum” 480
Wikipedia
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A '1 night' tourist destination

I am one of the few 'faranj' (Ethiopians refer to a m'zuŋ u as a 'faranj') who stay for any length of
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time in Aksum. And it’s entirely probable that I am the only m'zuŋ u / faranj who has come
back several times.
The lack of trade resulting from the closure of the border with Eritrea added to the

Addis Ababa- centric focus for the country's Economic Development arising from

international borders shared with other 'troubled and troubling' neighbours has had its
effect.

On one level, you can expect most people in Aksum to know each other, or heard of
each other or have a friend who knows ...It’s that sort of place. Not just no real through-

trade but also a population that for the most part was born there.

But the lack of through trade has stifled local economic development. You will see little
evidence of manufacture. Why bother to haul raw materials this far north, only to have to

transport finished product all the way down south?

Aksum has its own unique history. And it still has the ancient Stylae as a tourist
attraction.

And it has the World Bank funded roads that paved in a local brick. Those wonderful

looking roads that were paved with no thought to install suitable storm drainage. Those
wonderful aid funded roads that are under several inches of water and mud washed off the

adjacent hillside whenever there is a rainstorm.

The World Bank funded roads were obviously meant to help boost local tourism.
Mmmh !
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Most m'zuŋ u will appreciate that we tend to make many of our travel arrangements
on the internet and before we travel. And anyone who goes to Ethiopia and quickly