Ethiopia is an ancient country. Christianity is part of Ethiopia’s ancient history. The
earliest reference to the introduction of Christianity to Ethiopia is in the New Testament (Acts
8:26:38) when Philip the Evangelist converted an Ethiopian court official in the 1st. Century AD.
The Axumite Kingdom, the forerunner to modern day Ethiopia accepted Christianity around 328
AD. Ever since then Christianity has played a major role in shaping the culture, tradition and
history of Ethiopia.
The contribution of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo church in history and socio-
cultural development in Ethiopia is huge. The church rich in tradition is one of the first churches
that embraced monastic life, these monasteries were not only spiritual communities offering
prayers but also these monasteries and churches are the sources of literature, arts, music and
culture. The church is the source of attraction for tourism where many pilgrimage to visit its age
less monasteries as well as witness grand celebrations such as Holy Cross (Demera), Epiphany
(Timiket) and many more. The alphabet Ethiopia is proud of today, the calendar Ethiopia uses,
the music which is unique to the world and all have been contributed by the Orthodox Tewahedo
Churches. We are convinced that the Ethiopian government understands very well the role of the
church played in the development of culture, literature and socio-economic progress of the
country in the past, as well as in this day and age. Particularly now where the government is
assessing strategies to better utilize culture and tourism commission for economic gains safe
guarding the well-being of church monasteries and its sacred site is of crucial importance.
What is Waldba Monastery?
Waldba monastery is one of the oldest and holiest religious enclaves in Ethiopia. It was
founded around 490 AD and is located in one of the most remote regions of north Ethiopia.
Government decree in the 15th century officially expanded the land of the monastery and marked
its boundary to be within the four rivers and streams that surround the monastery. Waldba has
produced many scholars and still continues to do so. Successive governments throughout
Ethiopia’s history, including the self-professed anti-religion Derg, have honored the sanctity of
the monastery. They understood that the monastery is a treasure not only to followers of
Orthodox Christians, but for all Ethiopians and even the world.
Waldba Monastery’s existence is in Danger
The Ethiopian government has begun construction of a dam on one of the rivers that
border Waldba Monastery. The dam is proposed to provide irrigation water for sugar cane
plantation. A sugar factory is also proposed to be constructed. The government’s effort in
development and in establishing manufacturing facilities is commendable. However, the location
of this proposed sugar factory facility will undoubtedly threaten the survival of this secluded
monastery that generations of Ethiopians have worked hard to maintain. The dam results in
inundation of lands within the boundaries of the monastery. In addition, development of a factory
will be accompanied by construction of roads, residential and commercial establishments, and
other facilities that will dramatically alter the character of the surrounding. It’s a foregone
conclusion that this peaceful and prayerful environment will change to a bustling and chaotic
new town.
Where the Ethiopian Government has gone wrong
We have seen television images of government officials holding meetings with a group of
people alleged to be local citizens. It is perplexing that such a meeting would be held AFTER
construction has already begun. The internationally accepted process when undertaking such a
significant project, and one that is likely to cause significant environmental and social impacts, is
to perform a thorough investigation of the impacts of the project, including impacts on biological
resources (plants and wildlife), cultural resources, archaeological resources, and social resources.
The findings of these investigations would then be made public, and input from the
public would be solicited. Through the dialogue with the public, additional studies may be
commissioned; the project may be modified, or altogether eliminated.
The government has failed to provide to the public documents that show the full extent of
the project, describing the territorial boundaries, the limits of inundation caused by the proposed
dam, proposed roads, living accommodations, etc. In fact, the government has rebuffed concerns
and questions raised by monks that are most directly and most significantly affected by the
proposed project. The situation has reached to a crisis stage primarily due to the government’s
flawed project development process, and its refusal to make public the technical studies that are
supposedly the basis of the government’s decision to construct the project.
What should be done now?
We the members of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church and followers of the
Ethiopian orthodox faith are gravely worried about the threat posted against Waldba Monastery
in Ethiopia. Waldba monastery is believed to be the Jerusalem of Ethiopia, we are all sure it
would have been possible to implement many factories in Jerusalem; it has not been done so for
a reason; All Christians are asking now from all places why build a sugar factory in our
Jerusalem? Waldba is the pride jewel of the nation now it is being subject to the chaos that
entailed the name of construction of factories. The question is have analysis been made before
these? Have they seen if this implementation affects the social activities of the society, have we
asked how this implementations are affecting the moral values of Ethiopians, have
environmental factors been added up to the project? Why should we build a sugar factory in
Waldba? Why?
We owe it to ourselves and future generations to preserve the Waldba monastery.
Save Waldba International Coalition Temporary Committee calls for worldwide
international peaceful assembly on June 4, 2012 to demand that the Ethiopian government:
Immediately halt construction of the sugar factory that’s threatening the survival of the
Waldba monastery;
Make public any and all technical studies that are the basis of the government’s decision
to construct the sugar factory at the proposed location;
Conduct thorough analysis of the environmental, social, and cultural impacts of the
project;
Come up with an alternative location for the proposed sugar factory.
We are asking the international media, your help in appealing to the Ethiopian government to
stop the project construction at Waldba. We are asking the Ethiopian government to keep hands
off policy when it comes to Waldba and leave this unique International heritage site alone.
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The Save Waldba Movement is a Washington, DC-based movement. Contact: [email protected]
