Ethiopian quest to recreate ancient manuscripts and sacred artwork

A Hamere Berhan initiative art student paints a piece of traditional biblical art on a parchment made of goat skin. Photo: AFP

Armed with a bamboo ink pen and a steady hand, Ethiopian Orthodox priest Zelalem Mola carefully copies text in the ancient Ge’ez language from a religious book onto a goatskin parchment.

This painstaking task is preserving an ancient tradition, all the while bringing him closer to God, says the 42-year-old.