Half a million individuals have flocked to the holy city of Aksum in Ethiopia for a religious celebration, as per the city's mayor. This marks the first time the festival has been held since the conclusion of the civil war in the northern Tigray region. The attendees are essentially pilgrims returning to Aksum for this event in the city known for the Ark of the Covenant.
Aksum is a sacred location for Ethiopian Orthodox Christians who believe it houses the Ark of the Covenant. This Ark is thought to hold the 10 commandments given to Moses by God, which were later transported to the city from Jerusalem.
The city's Our Lady Mary of Zion Church always has a guard watching over it, and no individual is permitted to view it.
Devotees assemble close to the church to commemorate the feast of St Mary of Zion, which takes place around this period.
Mahlet Taddelle journeyed 200km (125 miles) from the regional capital, Mekelle. She shared with the BBC that she had been longing for this trip her entire life.
The civil conflict that lasted for two years and led to the demise of hundreds of thousands of individuals concluded slightly more than a year back.
Aksum, believed to be the origin of the Queen of Sheba from the Bible, was the central location of the dispute. The historical city was reportedly the scene of a mass killing at the beginning of the war, resulting in the death of hundreds.
Medhin Gebre Anenia had journeyed over 1,000km away from the national capital, Addis Ababa.
Throughout the dispute, she was concerned for her family in Tigray, however, she is currently relieved that the situation in the area has become fairly tranquil.
Throughout the celebration, clergy members offered prayers and expressed gratitude to the Divine for the prevailing tranquility. While such prayers are common at this assembly, they held particular significance following the recent strife.
Devotees from all over the nation, despite their varying stances in the strife, gathered at Aksum, embracing an atmosphere of tranquility.
The clergy were positioned close to a ground filled with old obelisks, also referred to as stelae, that originated from the 4th Century.
Aksum was once the heart of a vast empire.
An obelisk was moved to Rome during Italy's occupation of Ethiopia in the 1930s. However, it was brought back and set up again in 2008.
People living in the city practiced the tradition of inviting newcomers into their houses and providing them with meals.
Individuals also lodged in church properties or their family members' homes in Aksum if they had any.
Merchants seized the opportunity to peddle vibrant crosses and umbrellas to the pilgrims.
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