https://www.patreon.com/GnosticInformant Please Consider joining my Patreon to help finding scholars to bring on. Any amount helps me. Thank you existing Patrons. 2nd Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@LateNiteGnosis Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/NealSendlak1 Discord: https://discord.com/invite/uWBZkxd4UX Lucy, the discovery of this 3.2 million-year-old fossil skeleton was such a monumental breakthrough and what it meant for our understanding of human evolution. In 1974, a team of researchers led by the renowned paleoanthropologist Dr. Donald Johanson made a groundbreaking find in the Afar region of Hadar, Ethiopia. They unearthed an almost complete fossil skeleton belonging to an early human ancestor of our species, whom they affectionately named Lucy after the Beatles' song "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds." The oldest known religion in Ethiopia is a traditional belief system called "Ethiopian Traditional Religion" or "Ethiopian indigenous faith." This religious practice predates the arrival of Christianity and Islam in the region by thousands of years. It encompasses a wide range of spiritual beliefs and practices that have been passed down through generations and are deeply rooted in Ethiopian culture and heritage. Ethiopian Religion is characterized by its strong connection to nature, ancestral worship, and the belief in supernatural forces and spirits. It incorporates elements of animism, where various aspects of the natural world, such as rivers, mountains, and trees, are considered to possess spiritual essence and are revered accordingly. The practice of Ethiopian Traditional Religion involves rituals, ceremonies, and offerings to appease and seek blessings from ancestral spirits and deities. These rituals often take place in sacred sites, such as forests, mountains, or ancient stone structures known as "mazgabas." The Aksumite religion, also known as the Aksumite Polytheism, refers to the religious practices and beliefs of the Aksumite Empire, an ancient kingdom located in present-day Ethiopia and Eritrea. The primary deity of the Aksumite religion was the god Mahrem, also known as Astar, who was considered the supreme god and the protector of the Aksumite kingdom. Mahrem was associated with the sky, rain, and fertility. The Aksumite kings, who held significant religious and political authority, were believed to be direct descendants of Mahrem, solidifying their divine status and legitimacy. In addition to Mahrem, the Aksumite pantheon included other gods and goddesses, such as Astar, Beher, Meder, and Waraqa. Each deity had specific domains and was worshipped for various purposes, including fertility, protection, agriculture, and prosperity. The Aksumites also practiced ancestor worship, believing that deceased ancestors played a role in the spiritual well-being and guidance of the living. They would honor and venerate their ancestors through rituals and offerings, seeking their blessings and assistance. The Aksumite religion was closely intertwined with the political and cultural aspects of the empire. Temples and religious structures, such as the famous Stelae of Aksum, were erected to honor the gods and commemorate the rulers. Ritual ceremonies, sacrifices, and festivals were held to celebrate important events, agricultural cycles, and religious observances. With the spread of Christianity in the 4th century CE, the Aksumite religion began to decline. Christianity eventually became the dominant religion in the region and played a significant role in shaping Ethiopian culture and identity. #gnosticinformant #documentary #africa