Welcome to my beautiful home, Tigray. The Tigray region sits on the northernmost part of Ethiopia. It’s the homeland of the Tigrayan, Irob and Kunama people and is the fifth largest by area of the 11 regional states. With a population of about 7 million, this stunning region is where I call home. 🙂

The official language of Tigray is Tigrinya. A beautiful language that emphasizes the use of the tongue. The language is written using a script called Ge’ez, an ancient language historically spoken in Ethiopia and Eritrea. Tigrinya is integral to the culture of the Tigrayan people.

The land of faith and hope for freedom. Adey Maerey.

1. THE WAR ON TIGRAY

In November of 2020, the Ethiopian government declared a genocidal war on the people of Tigray in the Tigray region and against the region’s ruling party, the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF). The mass murdering of men, women and children as the world watched. Now years later, the conflict continues. Women brutally beaten and r**** and kidnapped and children left without parents. Civilian structures in towns in Tigray, including hospitals, schools, factories, businesses and more are shelled, looted and destroyed by the Ethiopian federal forces and regional militias, and by Eritrean armed forces.

In addition to the Eritrean armed forces, other countries who were key allies to the Ethiopian forces were the UAE, Turkey and China.

Today, Tigrayan soldiers remain dominant through the tears they cried for their mothers, sisters, etc. Their fortitude, bravery and courage to fight this battle without assistance from any other military forces reminded me of the wars we won many years ago. There’s so much evil in the world, one would find it difficult to believe a government would inflict such heinous criminal acts against its own kind… however, through this we stand stronger, braver and wiser than ever before!

2. SHIRE TIGRAY

Shire, also known as Shire Inda Selassie is a historic town in the Tigray Region of Ethiopia known for its strategic importance and cultural heritage. It serves as a gateway to the Simien Mountains National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and offers travelers a mix of stunning landscapes and rich history. The city is the administrative center of the Shire Awraja, Mi erabawi Zoba and now Semien Mi’irabawi Zone. This phenomenal town has deep rooted history and culture.

With that being said, Shire is also a historical hub with significant archaeological sites from the ancient Aksumite Empire and earlier periods.

Traveling to Shire for the first time was nothing short of amazing. With so many boutiques to shop at, delicious restaurants to enjoy a meal and hot cup of coffee, it’s hard not to fall in love here. The cobblestone off the main drag just brought the look and feel together. The town is home to several ancient churches and monasteries, reflecting Ethiopia’s deep Orthodox Christian traditions.

Shire’s bustling markets provide a glimpse into local life, where you can find handmade crafts and traditional Ethiopian coffee.  Mom and I stayed at Megenagna Hotel Shire

Shire is a beautiful upcoming tourist destination. You will be surprised by some of the unique things to do and places you can explore at this hidden destination. After spending a few weeks in Addis Ababa, mom and I flew to Axum airport where we were greeted by one of my uncles who drove us to Shire. The drive from Axum airport to Shire is about an hour and twenty-three minutes.

Notably, Shire is one of my favorite places to visit when I want to unwind and relax. A place where time essentially does not exist. Somewhere, you don’t have to spend too much to enjoy your day. A place where friendly faces greet you, and warm hands embrace you.

Lastly, something else I relish in is solely hearing and speaking my beautiful language, Tigrinya.

3. MEK’ELE መቐለ ከተማ

Mek’ele is the capital city of the Tigray region, in northern Ethiopia. This phenomenal city is of huge importance to my culture and heritage. In the city center is where the Grand Palace of 19th-century Emperor Yohannes IV which is now The Yohannes IV Museum. He was Emperor of Ethiopia from 1871 to his death in 1889.

During his reign he successfully defended Ethiopia against a large-scale Egyptian invasion. Yohannes IV was a strong, progressive ruler, but he spent most of his time repelling military threats from Egypt, Italy, and the Mahdists of the Sudan. Superior weaponry allowed Yohannes to fight his way to the Ethiopian throne on January 21, 1872, four years after Tewodros’s death. In 1882 a dynastic marriage was arranged between Menilek’s daughter and Yohannes’ son, and it was agreed that Menilek would be Yohannes’ successor as emperor. 

Per dolore platonem ea, mei te quot molestie conceptam. Duo labores mediocrem no, fugit iisque eu eos, ius ei clita complectitur. Nam et corrumpit assentior, eu urbanitas voluptatum incorrupte vix, qui et ignota blandit sensibus 🙂