What Ethiopia looked like in 1931 in color (17 photos)

What did Ethiopia look like at the beginning of the 20th century? Thanks to rare color photographs from 1931, we can glimpse into the past of this amazing country. The palaces and streets of Addis Ababa, traditional costumes, and the coronation of the last emperor—all captured in vivid detail, bringing history to life. Immerse yourself in the atmosphere of Ethiopia of that era and see the world as it was almost a century ago!





Ethiopia is one of the oldest countries in the world. Historically, this country was located on the very border between Eurasian civilization and "wild" equatorial Africa, so even the Ethiopians have a unique race—"mixed" or "transitional."



1. Noble Amhara women in Addis Ababa

Ethiopians were among the first in the world to adopt Christianity, but due to their "peripheral" position, their society found itself on the fringes of civilization, frozen at the level of early feudalism by the early 20th century. The existence of statehood allowed them to somehow fend off the European colonizers pressing in from all sides.





2. Emperor Haile Selassie, who would rule with an iron fist until 1975, when he was overthrown by a Marxist revolution.

In 1930, Emperor Haile Selassie (1892-1975) ascended the throne and began modernizing and Westernizing the country. He was a sort of Peter the Great, seeking to introduce Western institutions in the face of growing absolutism and feudal dominance. Nevertheless, in 1930, Haile Selassie announced the gradual abolition of slavery, and in 1931 he introduced a formal constitution, in Article 5 which stated:

"By virtue of his imperial blood, and also by virtue of his anointing to the throne, the person of the Emperor is sacred, his dignity inviolable, and his power inviolable…"



3. Empress Menen

Other steps toward modernizing the country included the construction of schools, hospitals, roads, and the creation of a regular army. In 1930, photographer Robert Moore traveled to Ethiopia on assignment for the American magazine National Geographic to capture in color the progressive reforms taking place there and the coronation of the Emperor.



4. Statue of Emperor Menelik II in front of St. George's Cathedral in Addis Ababa, June 1931.

But it's somewhat reminiscent of the capital of another Orthodox empire, which 240 years earlier also struck a blow against feudalism with Westernization!



5. And on the steps of the same St. George's Cathedral sit Ethiopian veterans in traditional attire.



6. The same...



7. And Orthodox clergy at the same Cathedral



8. The Governor of Tigre Province with representatives of the American Mission



9. Distinguished people from the United States who came to support reforms



10. Fetawrari Mou lou Gueta, military Minister



11. Archbishop of the EOC



12. The people gathered for the coronation



13. Ordinary Ethiopian soldiers during the coronation



14. A warrior in In a lion and rhinoceros outfit



15. Very soon, these soldiers will have to face Mussolini's tanks.



16. Ethiopian light industry



17. During a trip to Lake Tsana