ANCIENT CULTURAL LINKAGE OF ETHIOPIA WITH INDIA: CASE OF ALMAQAH TEMPLE OF YEHA (ETHIOPIA)

This paper is an attempt to highlight ancient cultural linkage of Ethiopia with India and strong resemblances of cultural and religious practices of present orthodox Christian of Ethiopia with Hindus of India. This study also describes the claim of delegation of Indian experts that Yeha temple has been a Hindu (Jain) temple. The study was conducted by personal visit and observation at the excavation site and its museum, discussion with German expert and local community. Findings are based on observation and findings of joint Indian-Ethiopian team from New Delhi and Experts from Mekelle University which visited to study archeologist sites. The previous studies indicated that origin of Yeha civilization was Southern Arabia. The German Archeologist linked it to Sabaean culture. They called the structure as Sabaean Temple. But, the visit of team of Indo-Ethiopian expert to the excavation site disputed their claim. They linked it to Indian temples and found evidence of strong resemblance of present cultural practices of orthodox Christian with Indian Hindus. The inscriptions found at Almaqah temple of Yeha is of Brahmi script. The present study shed new insight on ancient Ethio-Indian cultural linkage and resemblance on religious practices. The paper will open new dimension for discussion and further research