There are three reasons genna is a part of the Sheba-Solomon paintings: it is a concrete symbol of Ethiopian culture, it is similar to gladiators (showing men’s courage), and it provides context about Menelik’s paternity. Genna is significant because Ethiopia is controlled by Christians in all parts of society, even today. I found this surprising, as I have heard about the Jewish population in Ethiopia. Through imaging like genna, the Sheba-Solomon tale can be transmitted and passed along orally as well as through paint and textbooks.
The
use of sports as having meaning and being connected to ritual is something with
which I am more familiar. Teams have group prayers before big games. Players
acknowledge the presence of God by pointing to the sky and offering thanks for
performing something of magnitude.
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