Traditional Art and Handicrafts

Traditional Art

Traditional paintings are found in the form of icons, as murals in the churches and in manuscripts. In most cases, the major subject of icons is the painting of Virgin Mary with Her Infants Son.
With the exceptions of very few ancient rock carvings, traditional paintings in Ethiopia have religious orientations. Most of them are intended to convey spiritual messages of the Ethiopian Orthodox church. Those traditional paintings are generally characterized by Biblical themes and figures. Of all religious personalities, the painting of Virgin Mary with Her Infant Son occupies a prominent place. Then, angels, evangelists, saints, martyrs, and other religious features have become subjects of it.

 

Handicrafts

Ethiopia people has a remarkably rich with centuries old know how in handicraft production.  Each of the different ethnic group has indigenous knowledge creating diverse traditional handcrafts for various purposes.

 
Weaving
 
The Dorze people are very well known for their traditional weaving practices, though the skill is wide spread to different parts of the country.  Weavers produce different cloths for men, women & children such as Bluko; very heavy cotton blankets
Pottery
 

is an old tradition of many communities of the different ethnic group and it is still being practices in the country. Traditional pots produced by Felasha women are the best in the country.
Metalwork
 

Blacksmiths have different naming in the different ethnic groups. The skill of metal work acquired through observation & practice. Both men and women and children as an assistance involved in this work in many communities. Metalwork involves various steps; Fire is kindled then the metal is hammered and given the final form. The blacksmith make knives, sickles, axes, hatchets and ploughs, among others tools. 

Woodwork
 

Traditional wood workers prepare different agricultural tools (mofer, qenber) wooden bowls, beehives, chair, stools, bed, and hencoops. Waka (wooden sculpture of Konso people) is made by wood curving.

Bamboo Work
 

It has been common practice of many highlander communities to use bamboo trees for various needs in the region. The skill is acquired through observation and practices. Mostly both men and women (in some only men) make materials( flutes, granaries, baskets, beehives, storages, chicken pen, house partition & walls, floor cover, fences, etc, ) from bamboo. 
Basketry
 

Basket making is a part of most ethnic group women’s occupations (life) in the region. The skill is acquired through observation and practices i.e making items from grass. Baskets items have various services & it is produced either for personal use or for sales (means of income for women).

Tanning
 

Traditional leather work (tanning) is done by a few families of many ethnic groups over generations. Leather workers perform their work near the river /water and in their compounds. They prepare beds, seats; blow fans horse seats, bags, traditional wear, footwear, drums& lyres.   The know-how of the practitioners contributes much for the society.