A scribe poses with one of his books at the book market which accompanies the festival of Maryam Tsion in Axum. Scribes come from the neighbouring Tembien area to sell books they have produced in the time since the Hosanna market, the other major festival market of the year.
Monks at the treasury of Abba Garima Monastery display the treasure-binding of a deluxe manuscript (presumably 17th-18th c.). Abba Garima Monastery is famous as the home of the oldest book in Ethiopia (not pictured), which has been carbon-dated to the 6th century. It is also the home monastery of the current patriarch, Abuna Paulos.
Abuna Paulos, Patriarch of the EOTC, sits enthroned before the liturgical dancing at the festivities of St. Mary of Zion, one of the most important feasts of the Ethiopian liturgical year.
The basket market, under a large tree in the centre of town.
The dye sellers measure out dyes for baskets, under a different large tree near the ‘old town.’
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Women bring their brightly-colored handwoven injera baskets to the market at the center of town for the market attached to the festival of Maryam Tsion (St. Mary of Zion) in Axum, Ethiopia. The basket serves as both table and covering for meals, and is a prominent feature of many living rooms.