Inside Gondar's Royal Enclosure (Part 2) | Secrets of Ethiopia's Castles 🇪🇹

[00:00:00]We're practicing the medical treatment issues by collecting different species of plants of indigenous of Ethiopia and it has the power to cure many diseases like common cold uh headache they collect different wood >> and they will burn here and it will give great hot the temperature become maximized and around there there will be steam >> air flow that what evaporation >> those people who wanted to cure from their sickness >> and they will get some sort of relief of metabolical activities.

[00:00:36]What I'm reminding here again during the gondam period she was an iconic woman that in the very strong and scientific manner that woman she was led in >> and the people of Gonder since it have it awareness since from that time onward still they are very energetic in cooking and preparing the delicious traditional food of Doroth >> and I know that >> you The Gondarian period >> was uh popular in the context of education expansion >> and for that manner the education system was highly aligned with Ethiopian Orthodox toadu church >> and different churches were constructed around the compound >> of this enclosure >> of this royal enclosure but because they philosophy the issue of education >> say debates as they indoctrinate the religion issues in the very strong and in the sustained manner for the coming Ethiopia. So this is uh gorgis the church which was constructed during that period.

[00:01:47]So this implies that church as I have told you Ethiopian Orthodox Church >> in the historical political progress development issue of Ethiopia >> has a great value >> has a great contribution in laid down the administration affair even and even the law what what we're practicing in this modern world >> is taken from the Ethiopian Yeah.

[00:02:16]>> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, you know the nation buildings of this great country Ethiopia this church has great >> yeah the the traditional activity which has been practiced by the people of Ethiopia >> be it in the Christian be it in the Muslim >> that's on legacies >> for the sustaining continity of Ethiopian political progress issues so this is a point What I'm trying to remind here again as I have told you repeatedly >> this royal compound >> which was constructed in the 17th century in Gond it is not simply a compound I told you that the royal compound of faciladas is not simply store it's not simply architectural design something like that >> they were practicing everything in compound >> which have been currently practiced in the modern concept of different cities, >> different regions. They practice everything. They practice religion. They practice administration style. They practice uh cultural practicing in unique concepts and philosophy issues and legitimacing and different issues and among one of the indigenous manifestation >> what they have been practiced here >> in today's modern world what you call son bus >> or what we call modern steam bus or something like that >> they were have constructing for the sake of that issue this steam bus or what you call in Ethiopian expression was >> okay >> let's try to see this together you see >> and even they were practicing the medical treatment issues by collecting different species of plants of indigenous of Ethiopia >> they cure uh they have the ability the the the power to cure different uh diseases >> to cure the to keep their helyses >> so they just >> yeah they planted yeah yeah yeah a type of plant species which the ability of cure treatment. This is also one of the very popular indigenous plant species of Ethiopia known as damakasi and it has the power to cure many diseases like common cold uh headache and some some different common pleasant smell.

[00:04:50]>> Yeah. And they were practicing such a type of music. That is why still the current generation want to sustain and to show for the newcomers how much our great fathers were giving emphasis for indigenous knowledge practices >> in the medical treat exploration. You see they are giving such a type of emphasis and as I told you this steam bus >> gives a great relief for total metabolitical activity of humans >> and our great fathers in that 17th century >> were used and constructed for the sake of that purpose what you call or steam baz let us go let's let's inside and let's try to see you can see here again this is the steam or washaba site >> people will come here >> they remove their clothes and they this by the way this is the horn of cow or ox in today's modern world there is a type of metal will be around and they will put off and they will leave their c or something like that.

[00:05:55]But previously do not have such a type of metal expansion process and the people of Ethiopia were using the horn of animals for such purpose. You see they were giving modern passes for the Ethiopian indigenous practice activities. They were not worried about the concept what they have adopted from Portuguese and something like that.

[00:06:12]>> They were contextualizing >> Ethiopia's indigenous and traditional practice activities >> and this is what something special special. That is it. Thank you very much. This is the fire you see and it's hot. They they they collect different wood >> and they will burn here and it will give great hot the temperature become maximized and around there there will be steam >> air flow that what evaporation >> when that with that evaporation those people who wanted to cure from their sickness >> and they will get some sort of relief of metabolical activities >> and they were they they were care such a manner Because at that time the leaders the royalists the royal families and those people >> were not have a such a strong medical treatment like today's hospital and something like that they were preserving their own health by using the indigenous knowledge in such man >> and that should be the best one >> that's the best one still we have to be for back you see >> sure >> yeah so this is a very interesting >> I can see like it's a natural of our treatment your body.

[00:07:29]>> Yeah.

[00:07:29]>> And today you can see how we just take this >> chemical product. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.

[00:07:37]>> Right. You are by taking different tablets >> and different injunctions and different chemical products. They were not giving empathys for that.

[00:07:45]>> They were cured by practicing their indigenous knowledge what they have inherited from their ancestors.

[00:07:55]And for example the different species >> like anadam >> damakas >> and different indigenous plant of Ethiopia who have cured different diseases. So they were using that indigenous practices. But recently the coming generation is not giving more emphasis for the their past ancestor indigenous knowledge uh experiences.

[00:08:20]Why? Because >> you know this modern generation giving passes for this contemporary issues especially for the western practice activities >> but that's not the issue. That is the issue. It should have to be preserved such a type of activity.

[00:08:35]>> So this is a very interesting thing that we have learned from our great ancestors what they have laid down the 17th century. You see >> how much they were uh giving empasses for their indigenous knowledge >> and for their internal value and assets to preserve and to sustaining them they will have a passion to for world for the coming generation like you and me. Yes, that's why. Yeah. So what I'm uh feeling here >> uh in our education system such a type of curriculum is essential to renovate and to encourage generations to have such a type of knowledge >> what our great ancestors have been practiced >> in the administration style the religious practice >> and I believe strongly I think the only thing that just Yeah.

[00:09:34]>> Help us to come out from the problem we are writing.

[00:09:37]>> Right. You are. Yeah. If you if we we move with having such a critical awareness and backup things will be very smart >> and we will try to minimize the problem that we are faced at the moment.

[00:09:54]>> Let's try to talk about the other castle which is available around sight of the compound. This is uh Bakafas Hall. Okay, >> you know in the period as I have told you there are many kings who in turn over in shifting when one overthrown the other will be replaced >> and Becca was one who exercising his political power in the Gundarian period.

[00:10:18]>> Okay. And as like other kings laid down their castles, King Bakafa had constructed this uh hall. And this hall was constructed for the sake of inviting guests like dinners in lunch.

[00:10:35]>> So it was a banquet hall.

[00:10:36]>> Yeah, it's a banquet for today's modern issue. You see, so this a very interesting hall which was constructed by Thank you. So it was established by Emperor Bakafa and as you can see it here >> there are different gates.

[00:10:56]>> Yeah.

[00:10:58]>> 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 more than 10. And this was served us uh in today's uh modern expression what you call parking.

[00:11:07]>> Okay.

[00:11:08]>> And those our great ancestors were using this for their horse and mule.

[00:11:14]>> They were stay there. They they they stay the horses and the mules will be were kept there >> were kept there >> and those you know that during that time the means of transportation was not as such today's activity what they have been implementing in the modern world so uh they were using the horse >> the mule for means of transportation >> and soon they arrive >> as a guest to for the sake of different meeting activities and to to talk about some political issues >> and they wanted when they gather together here in the hall.

[00:11:48]>> Okay.

[00:11:49]>> And they will kept their horses around there. And that's for that purpose that was constructed that issue. And different guests will arrive here and they will meet here and they will talk different issues that they wanted to raise and there will be invitation after completing their meeting in something like that. There are different dinner might be respected.

[00:12:14]Royal dinner and it will be delivered here. You see so for the sake of that emperor beafa in his re reign regime time >> was constructed this bankut hall what we call today's do you see when they were constructing this buildings and castles they were highly used the indigenous knowledge the traditional knowledge what the Ethiopian people had practiced to construct such a type of activities and the material of the construction even were exploited and used around the area of Gond.

[00:12:49]>> It cop up the climatical situation, the weather situation and they were even giving him such a type of activity and around the compound >> the the limestone >> which was exploited around Gund area were coming here >> will will will they will bring here >> and they will under the ground >> and they bury it and they it will take certain amount of time and year.

[00:13:14]>> Mhm. And after it become lubricate >> and it become daffing and fermented it become strong. And then that's why still we are watching this castle by Yeah.

[00:13:26]>> Yeah. So the the the indigenous knowledge what they have used is very energetic.

[00:13:32]>> Yeah. That's why it's amazing. The strength is Yeah. Yeah.

[00:13:37]How this emphasize that how much the indigenous knowledge is very important.

[00:13:41]You see >> exactly that's [snorts] exactly Uh and as we know >> we we generations currently >> have not have such a type of sustained philosophical issue.

[00:13:53]>> See as what's expected from this current generation is giving empasses and they they they they they wanted to exploit again and again to be in the level of distract you see.

[00:14:10]>> Exactly. That is why that's my intention. You see >> what we need to have today.

[00:14:15]>> Yeah. So this is what it seems like the bafas banquet hall.

[00:14:22]>> And let's move to the another site of the compound.

[00:14:26]This is the last site of uh the royal compound that we are going to observe and watch. And this is constructed during the time of was one of the dominant or iconic woman in the Bundarian period. And even she was the wife of emperor Bakapa.

[00:14:41]>> Okay.

[00:14:42]>> She had constructed this uh unique architectural style design in the compound. And as you can see it there are different manifestations around the building for the castle.

[00:14:53]As you can see it the building >> there are different manifestations which is already established in the architectural style. And it seems that seems like that the church and they they they manifest their own practice activity in their building styles that especially in the Garian period the Ethiopian Orthodox Tohad religion was the dominant religion type which has been exercised and even the rulers by themselves they were believers of this religion and they manifest and exercising such a type of legacies in such a circumstance aspect as you can see here.

[00:15:28]that there is some cross the church building style and some decorative aspect. This implies that she was giving him passes for religion, philosophical issues. You see and this she the woman takea or ina she was very strong woman in the gondan period she she tried to exemplify and or glorify >> the traditional practice of Ethiopian women's activity like preparation of traditional clothes >> and preparation of uh w >> to ro >> and she was popularly leading she has who was have a leading role in the political affair of Ethiopia even in giving advice and something for her husband and even the political affair of Ethiopia and she was a very artistic woman and she was gathering the people of Gond around here >> and she was training the women's to be artistic >> in the cultural manifestation of Ethiopia like the the traditional clothes of Gund >> what they dress put our patents and different artistic artist stylish stick was starting since the period of mentor >> and she's the one I think bringing an innovative >> innovative ideas and that makes unique gondia something like this >> okay >> so she was very strong woman and competent >> and and for that reason she was constructing this castle >> to be exemplified as as as her other ancestors establish such a type of legacy in general what I'm reminding here again during the period she was an iconic woman >> exactly >> she was the wife of bafa >> and she was giving critical advice for the political leading aspect of our country Ethiopia at that time >> and she was specially separately establishing this and she opened as a school by the way as a training school like bokeh traditional training what we are practicing the modern world.

[00:17:38]>> She was trained woman >> in designing closes and preparation of food >> and artistic and making and mixing spices to very delicious and sweet. For example, if you take do one of the very lovely traditional food in the Ethiopian context was giving emphasis since her indigenous knowled traditional training around here. The doro will have different sectors. Doro doro the hen after she's the chicken when she slot it has 12 segments in that parts and segments of sect of the head >> will be decorated and splitted in the very comprehend and critical without uh aligning and detaching one the other.

[00:18:25]She was carefully managed that in the very strong and scientific manner that woman she was led in >> and the people of Gonder since it have it awareness since from that time onwards still they are very energetic in cooking and preparing the delicious traditional food of Doroth >> and I know that you know is >> a lovely traditional food of Ethiopia >> and it's more delicious >> in Gond around this area. Yeah. So she was practiced such a type of handiccraft. You see >> the handiccraft activities training in something was flourished during the gondam period and this is what I'm strongly inform you and I think as much as possible though we are not as such in the very organized and prepared manner. I try to give the experience what I have accumulated and I have already shared what it seems like the facilities royal compound which have been constructed in 1636 by emperor facilities and even his successors we try to explore that one so this resource in generally you and me we have observed these castles till now that >> but what I'm reminding here is that >> we are not observing ing only stones.

[00:19:42]>> We are not observing monuments.

[00:19:45]>> Behind these stones and monuments, we have learned many things historically, >> socially >> a different identity.

[00:19:53]>> And this compound gives an impassis >> for Ethiopian historical political development.

[00:20:00]>> It tried to give education, religion practice and uh the historical political development progress activities. So we have learned many things from discussing >> definitely >> and this >> legacies >> have already laid down a foundation for the for this generation even >> exactly >> this generation should have to take lesson from this issue >> definitely >> to sustain their country >> to sustain their indigenous knowledge to sustain their traditional and practice activities >> and Gond during this Gondarian period till the end of the medieval period till the end of the zamant.

[00:20:43]>> Okay.

[00:20:43]>> Was exercising and leading Ethiopia in such a manner as a political center of empire. You see, so from that cumulative experience we have learned many things and we can reshape the problematic issues that we faced recently. You see >> definitely >> by having such strong background from our great ancestors.

[00:21:02]>> So this is uh the last and the end.

[00:21:06]>> Yeah.

[00:21:06]here. I just want to thank you very much from the deep of my heart.

[00:21:11]>> It was really great to be with you and you explain and you spark a lot of thing in my mind.

[00:21:16]>> Thank you very much. uh just it just creates a sort of motivation in my inside like how I have to be very curious and you know like aware of my country and now uh I have been to this place many times but when you just explain everything in such a way and in a very amazing manner like mentioning what is something very important we need to see and empasize is behind those magnificent palace as you explain touched my heart >> and hope you guys also feel the same thing.

[00:21:51]>> Yeah.

[00:21:51]>> And it was very great time. Thank you very much and uh I just hope I will see you next time.

[00:21:58]>> Yeah.

[00:21:59]>> Yeah. Thank you very much for your invitation to share my insights what I have accumulated in my educational process till now >> and if you come in another time >> I would reorganize myself and try to >> show you everything which has been available around Gond which have been constructed during the 17th century now in the Gundarian period >> because the Gondian period history >> it's like deep like ocean >> we will never have a chance to explore with this very simple and specified time to to dig out everything what we >> have been practiced and historically laid down during the Gundarian period >> and I thank you very much >> being you invite me to share my experience what little experience what I have accumulated till now >> thank you again >> and it's my great great pleasure to share what I have already understood >> and hope in another time we will meet in a very strong and compent manner thank you very much again >> uh but Uh before we just end up saying here this thing, I just want to just if if people from all around the world watching us.

[00:23:08]>> Yeah.

[00:23:09]>> Because I can see that you have a very detailed and uh a clear understanding what this generation as well as the world can learn about this magnificent palace if they want to reach out to you and have some sort of research. I know uh personally I know you're just doing your own research and different things about the historical sites found here in Gond. So if if these people want to reach out you and uh contact and do some sort of research collaborating with you, how they can reach out you?

[00:23:43]>> Uh I I I do have my own email contact.

[00:23:46]>> Okay.

[00:23:47]>> And I do have my institutional email.

[00:23:50]>> Okay.

[00:23:50]>> I will share you. You can drop there in the social media platform.

[00:23:53]>> Very good.

[00:23:54]>> And personal passion >> you know researching issues in cultural heritage, natural heritage and preservation. And even one of my researching process that have been published in a very strong international journal.

[00:24:08]>> Mhm.

[00:24:09]>> In the Lake Tana biosphere reserve. You know Lake Tana biosphere?

[00:24:12]>> Yeah.

[00:24:12]>> One of the the largest lake of Ethiopia.

[00:24:15]>> Exactly.

[00:24:15]>> And Lake Tana in the 14th and 13th century it has its own great historical aspects.

[00:24:20]>> Mhm.

[00:24:20]>> And I have already published an article in that studying about the cultural activity of the monasteries of Lake Tana Biosphere Reserve.

[00:24:29]>> Okay. And I there is available in that site. My address is there in that journal.

[00:24:34]>> Okay. Just can you tell us specifically what that journal and how they can how these people could find out? I can put actually the link and the website. So if anyone wants >> it's available in the link in the scholar LinkedIn.

[00:24:47]>> All right. So I can just put that in the video description guys.

[00:24:50]>> Yeah. I will give you my contact and you can drop that >> definitely. and anyone who have a passion interest to align with me by working in researching issues with cultural practice activities.

[00:25:01]>> I'm really happy to join with them.

[00:25:04]>> Hope uh those people watching us all around the world who have such an such interest in conducting and doing research and preserving those kind of what legacies uh left by our those great for ancestors.

[00:25:20]>> Yeah.

[00:25:21]>> Hope they will just connect you and I get a chance to reach out.

[00:25:26]>> So guys, I will put his >> even recently >> I'm conducting research on Gond City's cultural heritage sites.

[00:25:36]>> Mhm.

[00:25:37]>> And I hope after a certain mans in a certain time I will develop a manuscript and I will try to publish in a very strong journal that try to show the cultural legacy of Gondarian period and what a type of problematic aspect faced.

[00:25:50]recently this very >> outstanding universal value heritage sites >> and I'm doing research and I'm investigating and exploiting interviewing in something different uh local yeah concerned bies >> and I have already gathered the data >> after two or three months I will I complete the analyzing issue >> and it will be publicized through very strong international journal >> thank you it's a great job you know I mean I don't see this something a simple job likeu uh someone who just do for his personal benefit or something. You're just doing something great job in preserving this >> treasure that Africa pride.

[00:26:30]>> Yeah.

[00:26:30]>> So you're doing great job. I appreciate.

[00:26:33]>> Yeah.

[00:26:33]>> So anyone >> having some sort of what knowledge and uh you know access in making his uh great job more practical and it more effective. You can contact him. I will all his means of what contact that you can reach out him personally in the video description. So, make sure to check out uh the video description. Thank you for watching. Here we're going to wrap up the video.

[00:27:04]>> Thank you very much. Bye-bye. I'm really happy being with you.

[00:27:08]>> It was great time.

[00:27:10]>> Thank you very much. Thank you. Bye.

[00:27:11]Bye. Bye. Bye.