Abyssinian Dreams

{This is a prompt from What Pegman Saw, a weekly challenge to write 150 words, based on a location selected for the week, from Google Maps Street View.  This week we are in Tiya, Ethiopia.  The poem that follows is based on some cursory research I did, regarding the megaliths, and the history of this region.  All errors are my own.  For those who are as weak on the subject of African History as I am, here is a quick glossary of terms and references (all from Wikipedia.  War summarized here):

Lucy–a fossilized Austrolopithicus afarensis skeleton found in 1974,  in the Afar region of Ethiopia.  This genus is the longest lived human species, and the fossil, a 40% complete skeleton, is 3.2 million years old.

Abyssinia–the Ethiopian Empire 1270-1974.  Starting in the fourth century CE, this empire was Christian, and built many churches and other holy sites within its borders, some of the earliest in existence.

Swords:  the image on the closest stone, above, is thought to be a sword (11th to 15th century CE,) similar to that used, during the time of Imam Ahmad Ibn Ibrahim, leader of the sultanate of Adal.  The stone structures are called “Yegragn Dingay” or “Gran’s stone” after Ahmad Guray or Gran, ruler of the Adal sultanate.

Awash:  the name of a river in Ethiopia (as well as an English word.)

Ahmad:  Imam Ahmad Ibn Ibrahim, leader of the Sultanate of Adal, in Ethiopia/Somalia and/or Ahmad Guray Xuseyn, (Ahmad Guray the Somali).  According to some articles I read, these two men of history have become conflated by time, into one.  Ahmad is known to have attacked Abyssinia (1529) and conquered it for a time (until about 1543) , in part, using men and muskets provided by other Muslim powers, such as the Ottomans.  The Abyssinian Emperor called in the Portuguese, for help, and the Portuguese, with additional shipments of muskets from home, eventually helped to push back the invading Muslim forces, avenging da Gama’s death.   

Bones:  Many died during this series of battles, partially due to the newish technology of musketry.  Thousands fought.  In the final battle, 9000 Abyssinians and Portuguese defended Abyssinia (or Ethiopia)against 15000 from the  Adal Sultanate and its Muslim allies.  The Portuguese general Cristóvão da Gama was captured, at one point, and Ahmad offered him, in exchange for conversion to Islam, the opportunity to continue living.  He refused, and was executed instead.

Scar:  Ahmad is known for having obliterated many churches, towns, and monasteries.  The religious nature of this conflict sends echoes through the ages, to the present day.  I do not mean to suggest, with this poem, that either side was at greater fault.  I only mean to draw parallels, where I see them.

Left-clawed:  I play upon the notion of fighting “with tooth and claw”, and also, upon the fact that Ahmad is believed to have been left-handed.}

 

Lucy from Afar:

The great near-ape of ancient times,

(A woman!) hints at how mankind

Has climbed, from whence we are.

 

Doors, but left ajar:

How can we understand our past?

Its moments dribble from our grasp

Like sands, from vast Qatar.

 

Stones the landscape mar:

Cartoonish swords, like astro-flights,

Recall the day; command the night

To follow day, or spar.

 

Their bones, beneath the tar:

Awash, with wicked zealotry,

(More muskets make for victory,)

Avenged, by lands afar.

 

We gather here, in awe,

Proclaim his greatness, black v. white,

Islam v. Christendom.  His fight:

It’s left a wicked scar.

 

The Great Ahmad,

Sharp toothed, left-clawed,

He’s made us, who we are.