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UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Protects Ethiopia's Sacred Islands

10/21/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Dek and Daga islands in Lake Tana are part of a UNESCO biosphere reserve to preserve religious relics and history.
Dek is the larger island with about 5,000 residents and is an agricultural hub due to fertile volcanic soil, housing the Narga Selassie monastery.
Daga is the smaller island that houses the Daga Estifanos monastery, which dates to the 13th century and contains the mummified remains of five Ethiopian emperors.

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Story summary

Dek and Daga islands in Lake Tana are part of a UNESCO biosphere reserve to preserve religious relics and history.
Dek is the larger island with about 5,000 residents and is an agricultural hub due to fertile volcanic soil, housing the Narga Selassie monastery.
Daga is the smaller island that houses the Daga Estifanos monastery, which dates to the 13th century and contains the mummified remains of five Ethiopian emperors.