Lalibela Ethiopia, Photo by Nadine McNaulty
Between preparations to travel to Burkina Faso on Saturday I have have spent time with Andrea Roberts and Fiona Griffiths on Zetetica my new solo for Longer Than a Shadow. I have gained and new understanding and curiosity for the work after performing Zetetica at Danceweekend last Saturday.
I find myself returning to these images of the ancient and spiritual city of Lalibela.
Priest Lalibela Ethiopia, Photo by Nadine McNaulty
Pilgrims Lalibela Ethiopia, Photos by Nadine McNaulty
Lalibela is a town in northern Ethiopia. Lalibela is one of Ethiopia's holiest cities, second only toAksum, and is a center of pilgrimage for much of the country. Unlike Aksum, the population of Lalibela is almost completely Ethiopian Orthodox Christian. Lalibela was intended to be a New Jerusalem in response to the capture of Jerusalem by Muslims, and many of its historic buildings take their name and layout from buildings in Jerusalem.
Pilgrim Lalibela Ethiopia, Photo by Nadine McNaulty
The Church of Saint George, Photo by Nadine McNaulty
This rural town is known around the world for its monolithic churches which play an important part in the history of rock-cut architecture. Though the dating of the churches is not well established, most are thought to have been built during the reign of Lalibela, namely during the 12th and 13th centuries. There are 13 churches, assembled in four groups.
