Pilgrims from Ethiopia gather again in Aksum for a festival in the city of the Ark of Covenant. The mayor of Aksum reports that around 500,000 individuals have come to the holy city for the first religious festival since the conclusion of the civil war in the Tigray region in the north.
Aksum is considered a sacred place for Ethiopian Orthodox Christians, as they believe it houses the Ark of the Covenant. This artifact is thought to hold the 10 commandments given to Moses by God, which were later transferred to this city from Jerusalem.
The city's Our Lady Mary of Zion Church always has guards protecting it and nobody is permitted to view it.
The devotees congregate close to the chapel to celebrate the feast of St Mary of Zion, which takes place during this period.
Mahlet Taddelle journeyed a distance of 200km (125 miles) from the regional capital, Mekelle. She shared with the BBC that she had been anticipating this trip her entire life.
The civil conflict that lasted for two years and took the lives of hundreds of thousands finally concluded slightly more than a year prior.
Aksum, believed to be the origin of the legendary Queen of Sheba from the Bible, was the epicenter of the clash. At the beginning of the war, this historical city reportedly witnessed a mass killing that resulted in the death of several hundreds.
Medhin Gebre Anenia had journeyed over 1,000km away from the national capital, Addis Ababa.
Throughout the dispute, she was anxious for her family in Tigray, but now she is relieved that the situation in the area is somewhat tranquil.
At the celebration, clergy offered prayers and expressed gratitude to the Divine for the prevailing tranquility. While this is a standard prayer at such events, it held particular significance following the recent strife.
Devotees from various parts of the nation, despite having been on opposing ends of the dispute, congregated in Aksum fostering a sense of tranquility.
The clergy were positioned close to a terrain filled with old obelisks, also known as stelae, originating from the 4th Century.
Once upon a time, Aksum was the heart of a vast empire.
An obelisk was moved to Rome during Italy's occupation of Ethiopia in the 1930s. However, it was sent back and reestablished in 2008.
Inhabitants of the city adhered to the tradition of inviting newcomers into their dwellings and providing them with meals.
Individuals also took shelter in church grounds or at their family members' homes if they had any in Aksum.
Merchants seized the opportunity to peddle vibrant crucifixes and umbrellas to the pilgrims.
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