March 26, 2011

Stamps of Ethiopia Volume 3

The top stamps were issued at the Golden Jubilee or the 50th Anniversary of the marriage of Emperor Haile Selassie and Empress Itegue Menen (1911-1961). The second row of stamps were issued in August 1929 and depicts the plane called Nessre Tafari meaning the Teferi Eagle. Eritrea at this time is not part of Ethiopia and the monetary value is the Guerche (derived from the Arabic Gerch). The stamps (last rows) were issued in 1928 during the reign of Empress Zewditu and Ras Teferi and demonstrates the wildlife of the country and notable Ethiopians, including Zewditu and Teferi (Tafari). Click on the image for enhanced and enlarged view of these stamps.

March 24, 2011

Stamps of "Ethiopia" Volume 2

These series is really the most ridiculous stamps bearing the name of the Holy Land of Ethiopia. The Italian Fascists were in Ethiopia fighting for survival for 5 years but they still managed to produce these stamps before they melted away back to Italia Irredenta where they came from!The Arabic script reads "Al Balad El Habasha" which means Country of the Habash or Abyssinian while the year reads May 9 1936, the date the Italians declared Ethiopia as a colony. They entered Addis Ababa on May 5 1936 and declared the next day May 6 as Occupation of Ethiopia. Mussolini declared Ethiopia an Italian province. Victor Emanuel III, shown below, was proclaimed as the new Emperor of Ethiopia. This is quite an accomplishment even though the Italian Fascists never colonized the country except for the complicated case of Eritrea (also known as Baher Midri, Baher Meder, Mereb Melash, Ertra).

March 23, 2011

Life: Do Not Worry Cheer Up and Be Happy!!!!

As the human population of the earth increases uncontrollably, so does all the old problems and new emerging problems that have to be dealt with. Sometimes however, one is cornered and has no weapons left to fight the encroaching phenomenon. Some take the easy way out by jumping from the highest buildings or the deepest sea. Others use myriads of ways or a thousand ways to die and leave the earth for another wonderful far-away planet that had been etched in their imaginations. But the tough human spirit is to adapt and not to perish. Ethiopedia has therefore posted this copyrighted poem or fighter's chants to conquer the evil Great Ones that may come in your path as you journey through life. It may be earthquakes, Tsunami, Joblessness, Anger, Prejudice, Hatered etc. Please read it and dance your way until victory!

Copyrighted 1988 Basliel Wolde Gabriel

Stamps of Ethiopia Volume 1

In this section, a series of Ethiopian stamps will be posted for those who are not familiar with the very early stamps issued by Ethiopia. The earliest stamps were issued at the time of Emperor Menelik.