A family of six artists, the Yatreda ያጥሬዳ collective, is using blockchain and digital art to promote Ethiopian history. NFTs that depict Ethiopia’s ancient civilizations, mythical warriors, distinctive customs, and cultural myths are among their creations. They capture lost stories, religious origins, and linguistic diversity through monochromatic motion portraits, bringing Ethiopia’s rich legacy into the digital era.
The History of Yatreda’s Vision
(Image credit: Courtesy of the artists)
Creative director Kiya Tadele had the idea for Yatreda at first because he wanted to highlight Ethiopian stories, particularly the renowned Adwa victory of 1896. Yatreda has been working on initiatives that highlight Ethiopia’s historical personalities and culture for the past four years. “Strong Hair” honors traditional Ethiopian hairstyles, while “Kingdom of Ethiopia” showcases Ethiopian rulers and soldiers. Their “Abyssinian Queen” project, which marks Yatreda’s investigation of Ethiopian oral history, has made its debut at the Toledo Museum of Art in Ohio.
Ethiopian Culture Preservation Across Generations
Kiya Tadele considers how crucial it is to preserve Ethiopia’s history, as many of its tales are being forgotten. Motivated by stories her mother told her, she stresses the need of keeping these stories alive for upcoming generations to ensure Ethiopian customs continue.
A Changing Creative Path
Beginning with her family, Kiya’s artistic path grew during a residency at the Toledo Museum. She was able to improve her public speaking abilities, acquire fluency in English, and build confidence as a result of this experience, which improved her ability to tell Ethiopian stories internationally.
Blockchain Adoption as a Cultural Archive
NFTs and blockchain technology serve as a digital repository for cultural preservation, according to Kiya. She sees the blockchain as a safe haven where Yatreda’s artistic creations are stored, turning myths into permanent digital documents.
Ethiopian Art’s Allure of Monochrome
Yatreda frequently paints in black and white, which gives the subjects a timeless, mythological quality. This method invites the audience to concentrate on historical and mythical individuals rather than the models’ current identity, distancing them from contemporary interpretations.
“Abyssinian Queen”‘s Inspiration.
Ethiopian folklore, in which a queen is carried by her people as a sign of respect and allegiance, is the inspiration for the “Abyssinian Queen” project. Ethiopian oral customs are honored in this story. Roman, Kiya’s sister, added characters to enhance the story and convey Ethiopia’s sense of community while also broadening the visual representation.
Making “Abyssinian Queen”: An Artistic Adventure
Yatreda used Ethiopian Tewahedo Orthodox customs as inspiration to create the project’s handcrafted costumes and props. Kiya tried to polish every aspect of the production, from character interactions to elaborate clothing designs, which required reshoots and adjustments.
A Comprehensive Stay at Toledo Museum
In addition to using visual art to highlight Ethiopian history during their 2024 residency at the Toledo Museum of Art, Yatreda also gave guests an Ethiopian coffee ceremony experience. With a single tap, guests could access exclusive Ethiopian proverbs thanks to the NFC chip embedded in each handcrafted glass cup.
Ethiopian Heritage Expansion Through Digital and Real Art
“Queen’s Medallion,” a bronze sculpture modeled after ancient Ethiopian and Roman coins, is one example of Yatreda’s merging of digital and physical art. It represents safe passage for travelers traveling from Abyssinia to Toledo. This distinctive medallion, which connects Ethiopian tradition with modern web3 technology, is only accessible to museum visitors.
