The Geta Lion or Lion of Kombolcha

Posted in May 1st, 2013

Photographs taken from AuFemenin.com Voyage

The Geta Lion or Lion of Kombolcha, is a sculpture from early Christian times that was first described by Théophile Lefebvre in 1843. Apparently he thought it represented an hippopotamus or maybe an sphinx, but later travelers interpreted it as a symbolic animal resembling a lion. The monumental lion is situated on the hill of Tchika Beret near the town of Kombolcha and is now a tourist attraction that appears on world travel guides.

I think the interest of this figure is the mystery surrounding it, since nobody knows for sure when it was carved and by who, although it seems to relate to the Aksum Empire.
The sculpture is not a proper lion, but more of a mythological creature much like other similar carved figures in other parts of Africa. It could be a not so distant relative of the famous Egyptian sphinx.
That is what makes it fascinating for archeologists and art enthusiasts alike which have been trying to explain its meaning since it was first discovered.
The lion has also three monograms carved right between the two front paws, one of them a cross. It is unknown if these were carved at the same time as the lion or at a later date:

There is an article online in French that describes the sculpture. A paper about its meaning and historic significance will be presented at the 9th International Conference of the Art and Architecture of Ethiopia in Vienna this coming September.
In case you are in the area, don’t miss the chance to visit this ancient lion which is located south of Kombolcha in the Amhara region. You need to follow the signs to the Geta Mosque and once is just a 30 minute walk to the site of the sculpture