Axum: The Ancient Heartbeat of Ethiopia

• Helloሰላም
  [Selam]
• Goodbyeዋላ
  [Wala]
• Yesአዎ
  [Awo]
• Noአይ
  [Ay]
• Please/You're welcomeእባክህ
  [Ebakh]
• Thank youአመሰግናለሁ
  [Amesegnalehu]
• Excuse me/Sorryጣላት ነበር
  [Talat neber]
• How are you?እንዴት ነህ?
  [Endet neh?]
• Fine. And you?ጥሩውን. ከመንገድ ነህ?
  [Terun. Kemangid neh?]
• Do you speak English?እንዴት እንዴትን እወዳለሁ?
  [Endet endeten ewedalehu?]
• I don't understandአልተወልዱም
  [Altweldum]

• I'd like to see the menu, pleaseመነሻ ብዝሒ እንቀብል
  [Menasha bzihi enkebel]
• I don't eat meatእኔ ምንም እኩልን
  [Ene minm ekuln]
• Cheers!እንዴት ሁላ
  [Endet hula]
• I would like to pay, pleaseእንዴት እንቀብል
  [Endet enkebel]

• Help!እርሱ!
  [Ersu!]
• Go away!ለኋላ!
  [Lekhla!]
• Call the Police!ፖሊሲን አይኖር!
  [Polisin aynor!]
• Call a doctor!የጡት አይኖር!
  [Yetut aynor!]
• I'm lostእኔ ተሰምቷል
  [Ene tesemtal]
• I'm illእኔ ሀንድ ነኝ
  [Ene hand neng]

• I'd like to buy...እኔም ገበያ እንቀብል
  [Enem gebeya enkebel]
• I'm just lookingእኔ በትንሳኤ ነኝ
  [Ene betnsahe neng]
• How much is it?እንዴት ውስጥ ነው?
  [Endet wusti new?]
• That's too expensiveእውነት ከማን የለም
  [Ewnet kemann yellem]
• Can you lower the price?እንዴት መመለስ ነው?
  [Endet memales new?]

• What time is it?ሰዓት ልጅ ነው?
  [Saat lij new?]
• It's one o'clockአንድ ሰዓት ነው
  [And setat new]
• Half past (10)አምስት ሰዓት ለውጥ
  [Amsit setat lewet]
• Morningጥዋት
  [Tiwat]
• Afternoonከምበረ
  [Kamber]
• Eveningማታ
  [Mata]
• Yesterdayትናንሽ
  [Tannash]
• Todayዛሊም
  [Zalim]
• Tomorrowነገር
  [Negar]
• 1አንድ
  [And]
• 2ሁለት
  [Hulet]
• 3ሶስት
  [Sost]
• 4አራት
  [Arat]
• 5አምስት
  [Amst]
• 6ስድስት
  [Sidist]
• 7ሰባት
  [Sebat]
• 8ስምንት
  [Siment]
• 9ዘጠኝ
  [Zetegna]
• 10አስር
  [Asir]

• Where's a/the...?ለምለም ነው?
  [Lemlem new?]
• What's the address?አድማስ ምን ነው?
  [Admas min new?]
• Can you show me (on the map)?እንዴት አሳዙኝ (በካስማን)?
  [Endet asazun (bikasman)?]
• When's the next (bus)?በቀጣይ ተልባም ነው?
  [Beketay telaybam new?]
• A ticket (to ....)ካም ከፈለገ
  [Kam kefellage]

The Axumite Kingdom, also known as the Kingdom of Aksum, emerged around the 1st century AD and is considered one of the great civilizations of the ancient world. It was located in what is now northern Ethiopia and Eritrea. The kingdom's strategic location facilitated trade between the Roman Empire and ancient India, making it a bustling hub of commerce and culture.

In the 4th century AD, King Ezana of Axum converted to Christianity, making it one of the first major empires to adopt the religion. This conversion had a profound impact on the culture and architecture of the region, leading to the construction of numerous churches and the spread of Christian iconography throughout the kingdom.

One of the most iconic symbols of Axum are its towering stelae, or obelisks. These granite monuments, some of which stand over 30 meters tall, were erected to mark the graves of Axumite kings and nobles. The most famous of these is the Great Stele, which is intricately carved with false doors and windows, mimicking the architecture of Axumite palaces.

Axum is often associated with the legendary Queen of Sheba, who, according to Ethiopian tradition, ruled over the region in the 10th century BC. The Queen of Sheba is said to have visited King Solomon in Jerusalem, and their union resulted in the birth of Menelik I, the founder of the Solomonic dynasty in Ethiopia.

By the 7th century AD, the Axumite Kingdom began to decline due to various factors, including the rise of Islamic caliphates that disrupted trade routes and internal strife. Despite its decline, the legacy of Axum continued to influence the region's culture, religion, and politics for centuries.

Today, Axum is a UNESCO World Heritage site, attracting tourists and scholars from around the world. The town is home to numerous archaeological sites, museums, and the Church of St. Mary of Zion, where Ethiopian tradition claims the Ark of the Covenant is housed. Axum remains a symbol of Ethiopian heritage and pride.

Axum is located in the Tigray region of northern Ethiopia. The nearest major airport is Axum Airport (AXU), also known as Emperor Yohannes IV Airport, which offers domestic flights from Addis Ababa and other Ethiopian cities. International travelers typically fly into Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (ADD) and then take a domestic flight to Axum. Alternatively, there are buses and private car hires available for those who prefer to travel by road, though this can be a lengthy journey.

Once in Axum, getting around is relatively straightforward. Taxis and bajajs (three-wheeled vehicles) are commonly used for short distances and can be hailed on the street. For longer trips or tours, you can hire a private car with a driver. Walking is also a viable option for exploring the town and its historical sites, as many attractions are within a reasonable distance of each other.

The official currency in Ethiopia is the Ethiopian Birr (ETB). Credit cards are accepted in some hotels and higher-end restaurants, but it is advisable to carry cash for smaller establishments and local markets. ATMs are available in Axum, but it's wise to withdraw sufficient cash in Addis Ababa to ensure you have enough funds for your stay.

Axum is generally considered safe for tourists, but it's important to take standard precautions. Avoid walking alone at night in unfamiliar areas and keep an eye on your belongings, especially in crowded places. While Axum does not have specific high-crime areas targeting tourists, staying vigilant and aware of your surroundings is always a good practice.

In case of an emergency, dial 911 for immediate assistance. The local police station and medical facilities are available in Axum. It is highly recommended to have travel insurance that covers medical emergencies. For minor health issues, there are pharmacies in the town where you can purchase over-the-counter medications.

Fashion: Do dress modestly, especially when visiting religious sites. Avoid wearing revealing clothing. Religion: Do respect local customs and traditions. Always remove your shoes and cover your head when entering churches. Public Transport: Do be respectful and give up your seat to elderly passengers. Don't eat or drink on public transport. Greetings: Do greet people with a handshake. A slight bow of the head is also a sign of respect. Eating & Drinking: Do try local delicacies and accept food offerings graciously. Don't refuse hospitality, as it is considered impolite.

To experience Axum like a local, visit the local markets where you can buy fresh produce and traditional Ethiopian goods. Engage with locals, as they are often friendly and willing to share stories about the town's history and culture. Don't miss visiting the famous Stelae Park, the Church of St. Mary of Zion, and the Ark of the Covenant chapel. For a unique experience, attend a traditional coffee ceremony to understand the local culture better.