Rosita Forbes. (1925) (Britain): “From Red Sea to Blue Nile: A Thousand Miles of Ethiopia” (1925).
“The most marvelous of all Abyssinian landscapes opened before us as we looked across a gorge that was like a clouded amethyst to the peaks of Simien. A thousand years ago, when the old gods reigned in Ethiopia, they must have played chess with those stupendous crags, for we saw bishops’ miters cut in lapis lazuli, castles with the rubi of approaching sunset on their turrets, an emerald knight where the forst crept up on to the rock, and, far away, a king, crowned with sapphire, and guarded by a row of pawns. When the gods exchanged their games for shield and buckler to fight the new men clamouring at their gates, they changed the pieces of their
chessboard into mountains. In Simien they stand enchanted, till once again the world is pagan, and the titans and the earth gods lean down from the monstrous cloud banks to wager a game or two on thier sport.”
Negussie A. Abraha (Of Ethiopian origin, US Citizen):
A good review of the place.
“The Simien Mountains are probably one of the most owe some geological features in the world. I have seen an extensive part of the Rockies in the US, which are beautiful in themselves, but it has always been the Simien Mountains that are fixed in my memory as a paragon of the mystical earth. Unfortunately, few, if any, know the ancient mysticism that underlies the names of the mountains, and the alpine and sub-alpine plateaus. Recent day historians have attempted to identify the fabled Mountains of the Moon haphazardly. Little did they know that the reference accrued to the Simien Mountains. Incidentally, an accurate record of the place names is crucial, to say the least, which is why I am sometimes disappointed that the highest point in high Simien is inaccurately identified as Ras Dashen instead of Ras Dejen. (Blame the Ethiopians for propagating the error.) Compare Dejen to one of the better known titles of ancient Egypt’s Moon-god. Osiris was called Tekh, which in emendation is Deg. The Ethiopian word deg, meaning “divine”, is also the root of dega, meaning “highland”. Cognates of the word appear in Greek and in English, among other languages. Deg and Dega anchor the basis of the fabulous Atlantis legend, which Solon supposedly learned from the priest of Sais in Lower Egypt, as Plato recorded the tale in the Timeaus (Atlanticus). I know I am going ahead of myself here, but this is only to say the inclusion of the place as a World Heritage site is more than warranted. (A brief primer on the mystical lore of Simien is included in a ground breaking two volume researches on antiquity that hopefully will arrive in print in the next two years.) I thought you would like the blurb.”
Thank you.
Mike Richardson (South Africa):
“The trip in Ethiopia was an incredible eye opener and a definite highlight of my East Africa journey going north to Cairo. Having only 30 days to burn in Ethiopia, our band of merry travelers, the Afrilanders from South Africa experienced the intense nature of all that is Ethiopia. This included frantic discussions with an excitable Frenchman at the Ethiopia Kenya border in Farole. He was sure there was an Ebola virus outbreak. It was an ominous greeting to a land we knew less than nothing about. Our mission was simply to dispel the myths of overland travel through Africa. We believed in conducting ourselves with dignity and respect while being worthy ambassadors to SA. Ethiopia shattered all sorts of myths let alone dispel. I digress. We found Ethiopia very green just after the rain season, many areas waterlogged. The trip included the historical route, the orthodox churches, rusting road side tanks and faranji screaming villagers. 50 odd million inhabitants in this country and I am sure we saw all of them. no stretch of road is clear for any length of time. Travel tip: if you stop for a road-side brew, make sure you display your long rubber snake - it keeps the very inquisitive locals at bay. Needless to say, after the incessant presence of the locals, the Simian Mountains offer an unbelievable vista of tranquility. Good old country side peace thrown in with the alleviation of the pandemonium. The Simian Mountains just after the rainy season is a mystical place with earth’s rare creatures hidden within her deep valleys and mountainous peaks. Creatures such as the Walia Ibex, the Simian Fox (incredibly rare) and a very strange baboon species are indigenous to this area. The overland trip skirting these monstrous valleys is a memory in itself, slowly leading you up to significant heights. In fact on our way out, we encountered a Spanish couple kitted out in alpine gear, trekking poles and guides. We stopped our vehicle and accompanied them up to the Ras Dashen peak, 4th highest in Africa. Our naivite of our altitude meant we summited this peak as an afterthought in shorts, windbreakers and flip flops. It was a sight! Do Ethiopia and do not miss the Simian Mountains National park - see if you can spot the fox… “
Have you been to Simien Mountains National Park? Share your experiences!
