The War in Tigray and Its Immediate Impact on Cultural Heritage in Eastern Tigray

What is it about?

War does not only injure the economy and politics, but on a deeper level, it spoils society and forever alters the cultural identity of those people._x000D_ In the occasion of armed conflict buildings and places that are symbolic of the enemy’s cultural property are usually the target of deliberate attack._x000D_ The two-year war in Tigray, northern Ethiopia, has caused a series of damages to the cultural heritage._x000D_ according to the gathered data churches, monasteries, mosques, towns, and villages have been frequently shelled by combatants._x000D_ Cultural heritages in eastern Tigray were intentionally targeted due to hate speeches inscribed on the walls. _x000D_ The destruction of important cultural heritages was made worse by horrific massacres of civilians and religious leaders. _x000D_ The destruction and targeting of cultural properties and heritage in Tigray can be seen as an attack on the very essence of humanity._x000D_ Finally, we suggest that an immediate recovery project such as trauma healing, sheltering, digitalization of manuscripts, full documentation and inventory to identify the looted or damaged artifacts and manuscripts must be implemented to minimize further complete lost. _x000D_ _x000D_

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