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The Chosen Path

Christmas Day celebrations in Lalibela, Ethiopia's holiest city.

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By James Griesedieck

Travel Photographer

30 Mar 2019 - 4 Minute Read

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This photo essay was the winning entry in the World Nomads Travel Photography Scholarship 2018.

Every year, thousands of people gather on Christmas Day to pay homage in Lalibela, Ethiopia's most holy city. Here, pilgrims prepare to enter one of Lalibela's many rock-hewn churches built in the 12th century as a 'New Jerusalem' after the Muslim Conquest hindered Christians' passage to the Holy Land.
James Griesedieck
Every year, thousands of people gather on Christmas Day to pay homage in Lalibela, Ethiopia's most holy city. Here, pilgrims prepare to enter one of Lalibela's many rock-hewn churches built in the 12th century as a 'New Jerusalem' after the Muslim Conquest hindered Christians' passage to the Holy Land.
Devotees gather to dance and sing songs of praise following a church ceremony.
James Griesedieck
Devotees gather to dance and sing songs of praise following a church ceremony.
A pilgrim navigates Lalibela's narrow complex of hand-carved churches.
James Griesedieck
A pilgrim navigates Lalibela's narrow complex of hand-carved churches.
Women await a blessing of holy water from a priest following a church ceremony in Biete Abba Libanos, one of Lalibela's many rock-hewn churches.
James Griesedieck
Women await a blessing of holy water from a priest following a church ceremony in Biete Abba Libanos, one of Lalibela's many rock-hewn churches.
Devotees pray to depictions of saints deep within the inner sanctum of Biete Golgotha Mikael in Lalibela, Ethiopia.
James Griesedieck
Devotees pray to depictions of saints deep within the inner sanctum of Biete Golgotha Mikael in Lalibela, Ethiopia.

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Travel Photographer

Winner of the World Nomads 2018 Travel Photography Scholarship. James has a passion for photographing people and cultures around the world.

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