Ethiopia – in honor of, inspired by and based upon the vital history and culture of the Horn of Africa

Ethiopia is geographically just north of the actual Olduvai Gorge, which is one of the most important prehistoric sites in the world and has been instrumental in the understanding of human evolution. It was occupied by Homo habilis almost 2 million years ago, by Paranthropus boisei 1.8 million years ago, and by Homo erectus 1.2 million years ago. Our species Homo sapiens is dated to have occupied the site 17,000 years ago. Next to that, Ethiopia, apart from a short occupation by Mussolini’s Italy, is the only African country to never have been a colony, and is also famous for its Orthodox Church tradition going back to the earliest days of Christianity (with many still undiscovered centuries old original manuscripts) as well as the famous last African Emperor Haile Selassi. The composition from 2011 is inspired upon this huge legacy of species, peoples and cultures that made and still make their home in Ethiopia.

(duration ca. 15-30 min.)