Ethiopia's Perception of Exceptionalism and UNESCO's Influence

Introduction

• Ethiopia's Global Image: Celebrated for its rich history; seen as different from the rest of Africa.
• Influence of Western Institutions: Ethiopia's image shaped by UNESCO and Eurocentric views.
• Presenter: Weyni, shares experiences on African continental investment and socio-political realities.

UNESCO's Role in Shaping Ethiopia's Image

• 1960s UNESCO Initiatives: Recognizing world heritage sites, promoting European ideas of culture and history.
• Site Prioritization: Focused on sites aligning with Western narratives, e.g., Lalibela's rock-hewn churches, Aksum's obelisks.
• Ethiopia's Image: Presented as a non-African civilization akin to ancient Egypt, Syria, and Arabia.
• Impact: Reinforced Ethiopia's separation from the rest of Africa and perpetuated a narrative of superiority.

Political Power of Heritage

• Emperor Haile Selassie’s Use of Heritage: Leveraged the narrative for political agendas.
• Ethiopian Elite’s Role: Embraced narratives connecting Ethiopia to the Middle East and Christianity.
• Imperial Narrative: Promoted Ethiopia as more advanced than other African cultures.

Contemporary Implications

• Internal and External Divisions: Narratives fueled dominance by Amhara elite over ethnic groups like Oromo, Somali, etc.
• Global Stage: Ethiopia presented as a bridge between Africa and Europe, not fully embracing African identity.
• Legacy of Superiority: Statements of ethnic superiority echo past elite-driven narratives.

Ethiopia and Pan-African Unity

• Emperor Haile Selassie’s Political Moves: Hosted African leaders, positioned Ethiopia as a symbol of sovereignty.
• Securing African Union Headquarters: Addis Ababa became center of African political dominance.
• Irony of Exceptionalism: Alienated Ethiopia from full pan-African unity.

Challenging Existing Narratives

• Growing Movement: Ethiopians reclaiming African and black identity.
• Global Debates on Racism and Heritage: Addressing colonial and Eurocentric frameworks.

Conclusion

• Heritage's Dual Role: Empowering yet divisive.
• Lesson: Importance of controlling narratives that unite rather than divide.
• Open Questions: Role of UNESCO and approaches to decolonize heritage.

Discussion Points

• Should UNESCO still influence African heritage narratives?
• How can Africans reclaim and control their heritage narratives effectively?
• Strategies for decolonizing heritage to foster unity.