Calendar of Events
W5 Launch
Meet Jane Kurtz (children’s author) who will speak about her time in Ethiopia. Children can register and enroll in the Museum’s new book club during this event.
Saturday, September 8
Discovering Ethiopia's Past and Present
HMNS Distinguished Lecture Series
“Excavations at Aksum, Insights to the Early Christian Kingdom in Ethiopia”
One of the oldest African kingdoms, Aksum arose in a high altitude region of Northern Ethiopia in the 4th century BC. This was a literate state that left writing in Greek, South Arabian and Ge’ez. As a trading partner with the Roman and Byzantine empires, Aksum had far-ranging trade connections – from the Mediterranean to southern India. Beginning in the 4th century AD, Aksum became one of earliest Christian kingdoms. This lecture will discuss the rise and development of the kingdom of Aksum, and the findings of Bard and Fattovich’s excavations on Bieta Giyorgis Hill, Aksum, 1993-2002. Dr. Rodolfo Fattovich is Professor of Ethiopian Archaeology and Egyptian Archaeology at the University of Naples “l’Orientale,” Italy. Dr. Kathryn Bard is Associate Professor in the Department of Archaeology, Boston University.
Tuesday, September 25, 6:30 p.m.
$12 HMNS members
$15 nonmembers(code EAK)
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Starbucks Coffee Days
Celebrate Ethiopian economy, culture, and tradition by learning about the plant that has shaped the nations’ history. The coffee plant has been at the center of Ethiopian life since forests of it were found growing wild in the highlands during what is estimated to be near the year 900. Let Starbucks and the Museum teach you about the coffee-making process and sample coffees from around the world from a true Coffee Master. (Children sampling coffee must have their parents’ permission.) Children will learn about Ethiopian culture through crafts designed by our Youth Education Team such as creating Rastafarian necklaces, tasting chips made from the Yucca plant, and making their own Obelisk among other activities.
Saturday, October 13th & Novemeber 17th, February 16th & March 22nd, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Free to Public
“Tracing Human Origins, Ethiopia as Cradle of Mankind”
Sponsored by KUHF 88.7 FM
Current understanding of the fossil record implies that Africa was the place of origin of mankind. Within Africa, Ethiopia has the most extensive record of early hominids. Using fossil evidence, comparative primatology and genetic data, this presentation will review Ethiopia’s fossil record and attempt to answer questions such as: how do we date these fossils, how do we know they walked upright, and ultimately, where do we fit in? Dr. Dirk Van Tuerenhout is curator of the Lucy’s Legacy: The Hidden Treasures of Ethiopia and exhibition.
Tuesday, October 9, 6:30 p.m.
$12 HMNS members
$15 nonmembers(code THE)
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“Ethiopia’s Tradition of Social Harmony and Religious Tolerance”
Ethiopia is not only one of the oldest nations in the world, but it also played significant historical roles in early Christianity, Islam and Judaism. Since the introduction of these religions in Ethiopia, the country has been known for remarkable religious tolerance based on mutual respect and understanding, immaterial of which religion happened to dominate the Empire at any specific period. This has produced a paradox – while Ethiopian armies and emperors could inflict cruel punishment on entire populations, person-to-person relations, even in areas of mixed ethnic or religious groups, were harmonious and mutually supportive. Unfortunately, current trends are not so positive as religious intolerance is creeping into Ethiopia’s social structure. Tibor P. Nagy Jr. joined the Foreign Service in 1978 and served as US Ambassador to Ethiopia from 1999 to 2002.
These lectures are included in Rice University’s Glasscock Scholl of Continuing Studies six-week course “Lucy’s Legacy: The Hidden Treasures of Ethiopia.”
Tuesday, October 16, 6:30 p.m.
$12 HMNS members
$15 nonmembers (code ETS)
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"Lucy's Legacy"
Sponsored by KUHF 88.7 FM
Lucy continues to be a diadem in the crown of hominid fossils and serves as an important touchstone for all subsequent discoveries. Donald Johanson shares Lucy’s discovery in 1974 and explores the lessons learned from looking at humanity through the lens of time. Many consider Johanson the most important and accomplished paleoanthroplogist of our time. Johanson currently directs the Institute for Human Origins at Arizona State University.
Tuesday, November 6, 6:30 p.m.
$12 HMNS members
$15 nonmembers
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Cultural Feast Dinner
Hosted at HMNS
Geography and social diversity have played major roles in the evolution of Ethiopian cuisine. Since antiquity, the mountains, highlands and deserts of Ethiopia have yielded crops and food products that are prepared and consumed according to the traditions of the cultural groups inhabiting those areas. Regionalism is reflected in details such as the spices selected for seasoning food, the grains used for bread baking, and the preference for oil or butter in dishes. Nineteenth century travelers were often fascinated by the exotic aspects of Ethiopian cuisine which they described in their journals.
Many modern chefs believe that the cuisine of Ethiopia is an undiscovered treasure, and focus on creating dishes. Our Ethiopian Cultural Feast held at the Houston Museum of Natural Science will celebrate the legacy of this ancient cuisine, and enliven our palates with a new appreciation for the flavors of Ethiopia.
Tuesday, November 14, 6 p.m.
$69 HMNS members
$75 nonmembers
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Lucy VIP Party
Lucy VIP #2
See Lucy in a more personal setting. The Houston Museum of Natural Science has created an exclusive event that will allow guests to see “Lucy’s Legacy: The Hidden Treasures of Ethiopia” in a more quiet and private atmosphere. The Lucy VIP Party will allow guests to stroll through the exhibition at their leisure, and also provide the opportunity for guests to explore the exhibition with its’ curator to get an exclusive “behind-the-scenes” tour.
Thursday, February 21, 2008. 6-9 p.m.
500 guests
$20 HMNS members
$30 nonmembers
Purchase Tickets Now
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One Hermann Circle Drive