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International Journal of Management Volume 11, Issue 10, October 2020, pp. 1528-1536. Article ID: IJM_11_10_139 Available online at http://iaeme.com/Home/issue/IJM?Volume=11&Issue=10 Journal Impact Factor (2020): 10.1471 (Calculated by GISI) www.jifactor.com ISSN Print: 0976-6502 and ISSN Online: 0976-6510 DOI: 10.34218/IJM.11.10.2020.139

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ANCIENT CULTURAL LINKAGE OF WITH INDIA: CASE OF ALMAQAH TEMPLE OF YEHA (ETHIOPIA)

Dr. Alok Kumar Professor, Jain University, Bangalore, India

ABSTRACT This paper is an attempt to highlight ancient cultural linkage of Ethiopia with India and strong resemblances of cultural and religious practices of present orthodox Christian of Ethiopia with Hindus of India. This study also describes the claim of delegation of Indian experts that Yeha temple has been a Hindu (Jain) temple. The study was conducted by personal visit and observation at the excavation site and its museum, discussion with German expert and local community. Findings are based on observation and findings of joint Indian-Ethiopian team from New Delhi and Experts from Mekelle University which visited to study archeologist sites. The previous studies indicated that origin of Yeha civilization was Southern Arabia. The German Archeologist linked it to Sabaean culture. They called the structure as Sabaean Temple. But, the visit of team of Indo-Ethiopian expert to the excavation site disputed their claim. They linked it to Indian temples and found evidence of strong resemblance of present cultural practices of orthodox Christian with Indian Hindus. The inscriptions found at Almaqah temple of Yeha is of Brahmi script. The present study shed new insight on ancient Ethio-Indian cultural linkage and resemblance on religious practices. The paper will open new dimension for discussion and further research. Key words: Yeha Temple, Heritage, India, Ethiopia, Cultural linkage, Religious Practices Cite this Article: Dr. Alok Kumar, Ancient Cultural Linkage of Ethiopia with India: Case of Almaqah Temple of Yeha (Ethiopia), International Journal of Management, 11(10), 2020, pp 1528-1536.. http://iaeme.com/Home/issue/IJM?Volume=11&Issue=10

1. INTRODUCTION Ethiopia is an ancient country with a rich heritage and cultural diversity. In fact, Ethiopia‟s cultural industry is perhaps one of the oldest in the world and is exceptionally diverse. Ethiopia is the second most populous country in . Culturally, the population is diverse constituting more than 80 ethnic groups (Kumar Alok, 2018).

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India is a large and populous country with a great past and great tradition. It can boast of some four thousand years of civilized life, and as such it must be ranked as one of the greatest civilization of world. It is moreover, a living civilization whose tradition directly arise from its past (Allchin F.R., 1969). India, because of its complicated and ancient culture, is rich in tangible and intangible cultural heritage. In India many communities live with their cultural knowledge, traditions, rituals, oral expressions and historical heritage (Shashi Bala, 2016). India has been considered the land of ancient history, heritage, and culture. India is famous for its temples and that is the reason that among the different kinds of tourism in India, pilgrimage tourism is increasing most rapidly (Arunmozhi T. et al, 2013).

2. SIGNIFICANCE OF RESEARCH There has been strong linkage between India and Ethiopia in ancient time. Hence, the glimpses of Indian cultural practices can be seen on beliefs and traditional practices of present Ethiopian community; majority of which is represented by Orthodox Christian. There are lots of similarities between them. Recently, finding at Almaqah temple of Yeha has shown resemblance with Hindu temples of India. This study in form of a research paper is first of its kind of attempt to describe religious and cultural similarity highlighting ancient linkage between India and Ethiopia with a case of Yeha temple. This study will be significant as it will open a new forum for discussion and further research as it has disputed the conclusion of German Archeologist with the claim of Ancient Almaqah temple at Yeha (Ethiopia) having Hindu connection.

3. OBJECTIVE OF STUDY  To study and highlight similarity in religious, traditional and cultural practices of Ethiopian Orthodox Christian and Indian Hindus (Particularly Jains)  To gain an insight into ancient Almaqah temple at Yeha (Ethiopia).  To describe the claim of delegation of Indian experts that Yeha temple has been a Hindu (Jain) temple.

4. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY To meet the above objectives; combinations of following methods were applied:  A personal visit was conducted to study Almaqah temple at Yeha (Ethiopia).  This study is further outcome of observation during visit to the excavation site and its museum, discussion with German expert and local community.  This paper has also utilized the observation and findings of joint Indian-Ethiopian team of constituting of members of Bhartvarshiya Digamber Jain Mahasabha, New Delhi and Experts from Mekelle University which visited Yeha, Wukro Museum, Almaqah temple and Aksum to study archeologist sites and museums of pre Axumite period in November 2017 .  Secondary sources such as Journals (both print &online), Periodicals, Reports, Books, internet sites, project reports, thesis and annual reports of governments and non- organizations etc. were also utilized to highlight Ethiopian heritage, culture, religious practices and study Almaqah temple at Yeha.

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5. REVIEW OF LITERATURE 5.1. Yeha: The Ancient Settlement in the Abyssinian Highlands of Tigrai The archeological complex of Yeha is located about 54 Km northeast of Aksum. It is accessible by road preferably was hired taxi for the tourist. It is situated on asphalted highway linking Aksum to Adigrat through the magnificent scenery of Adwa Mountains. It is further 5 Km road beyond Adwa town at the centre of the village (Kumar Alok, 2018).Yeha was center of the Da‟amat Kingdom, pre-Aksumite civilization that flourished eight to nine before the birth of Christ. One of the remains of this great civilization is the temple of Yeha. It is the oldest standing structure in sub-Saharan Africa and is epitome of structural strength, the geometrical perfection and architectural beauty. Previous studies indicated that origin of Yeha civilization was Southern Arabia. It is a mirror of civilization which flourished in . However this turn out to be sheer conjecture. But the recent findings confirm it‟s linking to other civilization also (Yemane Gedlu et al, 2014).

5.2. The Almaqah Temple of Yeha, Ethiopia The Sabaean temple construction is dated to about 700 BC. The dimensions are about 18m x 15m; the original height was more than 14 meters. The walls are built of up to 3 meters long stones without any use of mortar. They are very flat and the stones are manufactured with great precision, so that joints between them are hardly developed. In general, the walls are very well preserved, at one part of the facade even the original final stone still remains on the top. Above the entrance on the western façade a U-shaped outbreak of the masonry is visible. Inside the temple with the height of about 6 meters a second wall connects to the outside wall, which still has its original height at several places. In the entrance area a foundation is located, from which the existence of a former propylon can be derived, which is totally destroyed today (Lindstaedt M. et al, 2011). The German Archeological Institute has done excavation in the building which can be dated between 8th and 9th BC (DAI, 2010). This edifice was built on a high podium with a monumental portico reached by a roughly built stepped structure (Figure-1):

Figure 1 The Almaqah Temple of Yeha, Ethiopia, view from West (left), Eastern façade inside the Temple (right) (Source: International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences)

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The temple of the Sabaean God Almaqah is one of the main archaeological discoveries of the area, though there are signs of an ancient settlement nearby and some building believed to have a sacred use at nearby Ziban Adi. They belong to a settlement area of the 1st BC, a period of crucial social development in the Abyssinian highlands. South Arabian inscriptions, temples and sculptures from the early BC, have been found at Yeha and Hawlti (Wolf Pawel, 2012). The temple was built in the 8th to 6th centuries BC on the ruins of an earlier building and continued in use with several modifications to probably the BC. It resembles the early South Arabian religious buildings in form and is built from local stone. It also shows that elements of royal elite cultural and ideological traditions of South Arabia and the African region are used together. C14 dating confirmed the Ethiopian Sabaean inscriptions to date to the BC (Wolf Pawel, 2012)

Figure 2 Almaqah Temple; Photo: Author What role did the play in the Abyssinian highlands at the beginning of the first millennium BC? Surely this was connected to the incense trade and the all-important trade routes across the desert. It is to be hoped that new research and the continuing efforts of the joint Ethiopian-German team will shed light on this fascinating „cultural transfer‟ (Perry Carolyn, 2012).Meqaber GaΚewa is a recently discovered site that indicates Sabaean cultural contacts with the Ethiopian highlands. Its main temple, dedicated to Almaqah, was unearthed under the auspices of a joint Ethiopian-German co-operation established in 2008. Their Ethio- Sabaic inscriptions, palaeographically dated to the early first millennium BC, mention the ancient name of Yeha for the first time and refer to a hitherto unknown king.(Wolf Pawel, 2010). Satellite imagery modeling shows statistically significant associations between settlements, landforms, and water-rich areas most amenable to high-productivity agriculture, showing environmental conditions played a pivotal role in shaping landscape-scale site patterning (Harrower Michael J. et al, 2014)

5.3. Cultural Linkage between India and Ethiopia 5.3.1. Ethiopian Context The most important common linkage in between these two philosophies is fasting and abstinence. Ethiopian Orthodox still following the theme of Old Testament. Self-denial is in lawful things enables us to turn with great earnestness to spiritual things. It is on these

http://iaeme.com/Home/journal/IJM 1531 [email protected] Dr. Alok Kumar grounds that the Ethiopian church has strictly adhered to the injunctions of the Didascalia and enjoyed on the faithful the longest and most austere fasts in the world (Kumar Chiranjib, 2017). Fasting implies abstention from food and drink. Special days are appointed for fasting. Every Wednesday and Friday is days of fasting because on Wednesday the Jews held a council in which they rejected and condemned Lord (Christ) and on Friday they crucified him. The total number of fasting days amounts to about 250 a year, of which about 180 are obligatory for all, and the rest are only for priests, monks, nuns and other special groups in the church. The longest periods of fasting are those of Lent. To the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, Lent means a period of fasting when the faithful undergo a rigorous schedule of prayers and penitence. The faithful should abstain from all food except bread, water and salt. It consists of 56 days. All kinds of meat are forbidden and also dairy products. On all the fasting days only one meal is allowed and this is to be taken in the afternoon, at 3 p.m. or in the evening. On Saturdays and Sundays people are allowed to eat in the morning.

5.3.2. Indian Context: Jain Fasting and Belief Sermons of Lord Mahaveera were compiled in the Agam Sutras by his disciples and were passed on to the common people through oral recitations. These scriptures prescribe 5 basic vows that should be observed by monks and common disciples alike. These five basic vows are: Nonviolence (), Truthfulness (), Non-stealing (Asteya), Chastity (Brahmacharya) and Non-possession/Non-attachment (Aparigraha) (Kumar Chiranjib, 2018). The aim of ahimsa is to prevent the accumulation of such karma. Their scrupulous and thorough way of applying nonviolence to everyday activities, and especially to food, shapes their entire lives and is the most significant hallmark of Jain identity. Food which contains even small particles of the bodies of dead animals or eggs is absolutely unacceptable. Some Jain scholars and activists support veganism, as the production of dairy products involves significant violence (himsa) against cows. (Kumar Chiranjib, 2018). Fasting is very common among jains andas a part of festivals. Most Jains fast at special times during festivals and on holy days. Paryushan is the most prominent festival lasting eight days in Swetambara Jain tradition and ten days in Digambar Jain tradition during the monsoon. The monsoon is the time of fasting. According to Jain, abstaining from the pleasures of the five senses such as sounds and dwelling in the self in deep concentration is fasting (upavasa) (Kumar Chiranjib, 2017)

5.4. Indian Temple Perspective: Claim of Indian Experts Greek historian Herodotus has mentioned the existence of Jain followers, known as Gymosophists, in Abyseenia and Ethiopia. (Prasad Gokul, 2017). As per Indian historian Pt. Sunderlal (2016); thousands of Jain saint were residing all over the place in western Asia, Greece, and forests and hills of Ethiopia. According to famous German Scholar „Van Cromer‟; the prevalent Samaniyas in middle-east Asia were a community of Jain Sramanas. The famous historian G.F Moore has written that before the beginning of Christian era, Jain monks in thousands roamed about far and wide in central Asia, Iraq, Siam and Palestine etc. preaching their religion of ahimsa (Non-Violence). These innumerable Jain monks renowned for their renunciation and knowledge were residing allover western Asia, Greece, Egypt and forest and hills of Ethiopia. Major General GCR Furlong, by his research has proved that was popular in Oxiana, Samarkanda, Caspia and Bakha city. Jews were also extremely influenced by Jainism and these influenced people have accordingly formed a community of their own, known as „Esminee‟. A few ethnographic evidences in current religious and functional traditions of present orthodox Christian community suggest similarity

http://iaeme.com/Home/journal/IJM 1532 [email protected] Ancient Cultural Linkage of Ethiopia with India: Case of Almaqah Temple of Yeha (Ethiopia) of practices like fasting, vegetarianism during fasting period, offering of things by both hands and observation of maun (silence) which are still prevalent in Ethiopian society. There are evidences of presence of Jainism before arrival of orthodox Christian religion in the AD at archeological sites of Almagah, Yeha and . A joint Indian-Ethiopian team of constituting of members of Bhartvarshiya Digamber Jain Mahasabha, New Delhi and Experts from Mekelle University visited Yeha, Wukro Museum, Almaqah temple and Aksum in year 2017-18 to study archeologist sites and museums of pre Axumite period. Their observation and findings of their research were as follows-  German archeologist have dated Yeha temple known as Moon Temple of 7th Century BC on basis of carbon dating. During excavation of Almaqah temple in April 2017, German archeologist found a white stone pedestal replica with provision for the idol. It is rectangular in shape having the holes and depression in the centre, having two projected bull mouthed outlets (Pranala) one inside and another outside for the flow of water. It is usually offered as ablation for the idol specially Jain temples in India.  The presence of two bull headed projection inside and outside the pedestal in the Almaqah temple with the possible idol in centre symbolizes the lord Adinath; the first Tirthankar. The entry of the temple is from the east. It has three landing leading to libation altar. On the rear side of the central pedestal (Libation Altar) are three chambers in the west. The entire structure is enclosed with in a compound wall which all signifies the Jain character.  The wukro Museum displays original pedestal of Almaqah temple along with the display of the excavated material. The replica of the pedestal etc. has been displayed in the open air museum of Almaqah site. The excavated materials in form of beads are of greater similarity with the Indian culture rather so claimed Sabaean culture.  The potteries displayed are mostly handmade; of course of varieties and not well baked. The black and red wares of Indian cultural affinity are also handmade. There are presence of Mullar and Quern of granite stone with deep depression in specimen which depicts their continuous use in long run for the preparation of pastes.  There is presence of multi segmented round clay or terracotta oven which carry similarity with the Indian culture. The same type of ovens is sold in the Karnataka region of south India.  There are many specimen of the round pots were in use as incense burners as part of worshipping in the temple complex are without burning marks by the German explorers.  The alleged pedestal incense burner in stone which resembles with Sidha Sila is without the evidence of burning marks. The pedestal type burner depression on top and tampering towards a rectangular base with presence of a low relief Moon sign in the front part with the dot ball or ball on their top. These object of worship are referred in the Jain religious literature and have been invariable discussed as as Sidha Sila under Jain cosmic geography. The resemblance with the Sidha Sila and upper part of Jain Cosmo geography is important evidence. The German have identified this object as incense burners acquired through excavation.  The dot depicting as the seat of salvated souls in the fragment of alleged incense burners is above the middle world while lower part depicting the seven hells as Cosmo geography also make important evidence. The script on the pedestal & other fragments has been identified by Germans as Geez inscription. The pedestal under misconception has been identified as sacrifice altars actually that is used as ablution of Idol on the pedestal.

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 There are presence of stone cut drain for the outlet of water from the main Santum santorum pedestal image through the two projected Bull head pranala leading outside the temple complex to drain out water of ablution are also seen in the museum. This type of provision is invariably found in all the Jain temples for water, milk, saffron etc. for Jina images installed in Jain temples.  The mode of masonry in Yeha temple resembles with the south Indian temples near Bangalore. The rectangular sand stone slabs of ashlar stone has been used in high walls on three sides which is still existent. This makes a clear evidence of Indian ancient architecture as feature of temple construction.  The presence of rolled elephant trunk in pilaster of wooden frame of entrance of present temple complex is another architecture feature of Indian architecture. These pieces resembles and represent the Jain Cosmic geographical universe and make most important symbol text on item inscribed just below the moon are visible as Indus text readable from right to left as lexion given in the book „Guide Book‟ to decipher the Indus script by Dr.Sneha Rani Jain while German experts identified as Geez of Sabaean culture.  There are many stone slabs with inscriptions found in moon temple at Yeha and Almaqah temple in wuqro which can be taken as of Brahmi script written in mirror image from right to left in retro words of Indian earliest Brahmi script and Sanskrit language (3rd Century BC of Mauryan Period of Great King Asoka.  According to Prof. Nerbes of DAI German team; it correspond to old Sabaean inscription of BC but temple has been dated back to 7th Century BC.  Further, the inscriptions are to be edited and translated against the background of the entire old South text Corpus published so far (By Helen Weighs) which is not done.

6. RESULT AND DISCUSSION India and Ethiopia has rich and recorded history of more than five thousand years old civilization. The Axumite kingdom was one of the great civilizations of the ancient world and has left behind the mystery of the great Axum stele. In same manner Indus Valley Civilization had well developed cultural system scattered across the Mohenjodaro, Harrappa and Lothal. Jainism was not unknown among the people of the Indus Valley and even among Jews and Egyptians and Ethiopians due to the activities of Jain Monks in the region. Ethiopian orthodox people have almost had similar ways of living and reasons of fasting, honouring and worshiping the God as it was by Jains. The major difference appeared today among these cultures are because of fusion and globalization. But when it comes to faith in God then both Ethiopian's orthodox Christianity and Jainism shows almost the similar cultural behavior and pattern of sacrificing worldly life by adopting various types of occasions or ceremonies to come in closure with their God. The different prophets have born at different interval in the world during the last three thousand years and most of them were the successor of “truth and non-violence". They have always focused on improving the eternal life rather than external. Jain religion has contributed a lot to the world in fighting against global warming and climate change through following its indigenous culture such as their food habits, way of living, and worshipping, all are close to nature and mostly based on conservation and sustainability. In similar way Ethiopian culture has its own value and is connected with nature and believes in protecting nature. Time has come when people should give respect to indigenous knowledge and cultural keeping aside the superstitious things from every culture (Kumar Chiranjib, 2017). Cultural tourism can boost the preservation and transmission of cultural and historical

http://iaeme.com/Home/journal/IJM 1534 [email protected] Ancient Cultural Linkage of Ethiopia with India: Case of Almaqah Temple of Yeha (Ethiopia) traditions, which often contributes to the protection of local heritage, a renaissance of indigenous cultures, cultural arts and crafts. Thus, culture and heritage acts as an engine for tourism development which is truly sustainable and we can look forward to nourishing the balance of universe through tourism and culture (Kumar Alok, 2017). The Almaqah temple of Yeha was dated back to 700-800 B.C old. The German archeologists (DAI) have carried out professional excavation of the temple site. They found several idol, potteries, tools, artifacts and stone inscriptions during excavation. The German Archeologist tried to recreate history and linked it to Sabaean culture. The inscription they concluded is of Geez language. They have described strong trade and cultural linkage between Arab and . But, recent visit of team of Indian expert to the excavation site has disputed their claim. They have studied the excavated items and linked it to Indian temples. Indian experts have justified their claim with strong resemblance of present cultural practices of present orthodox Christian with Indian Hindus, particularly Jains. This could be only because of previous linkages between two ancient civilizations.

7. CONCLUSION Both India and Ethiopia is an ancient country with a rich heritage and cultural diversity. The most important common linkage between Hindu (Indian) and Orthodox Christian (Ethiopia) philosophies is fasting and abstinence. The previous studies indicated that origin of Yeha civilization was Southern Arabia. It has been mirror of civilization which has flourished in Yemen. The German Archeological Institute which has conducted excavation of Yeha temple site has dated it between 8th and BC and linked it to Sabaean culture. The Indian experts of Joint Indo-Ethiopian team which studied Yeha temple site has claimed that several idols, potteries and artifacts found during excavation by German archeologist are having strong resemblance with those found in Hindu temples in India. The Indian experts have raised objection as well as doubt on DAI German team corresponding it to old Sabaean inscription of 1st Century BC when temple has been dated back to 7th Century BC. Over all the present study highlighting resemblance of Yeha temple of Ethiopia with India temples shed new insight on ancient Ethio-Indian cultural linkage and open broad dimension for discussion. It has opened the already concluded study of German archeologist for further research with more evidences and requires deliberations.

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