Ethiopia is one of the oldest civilizations on Earth, trading partners with ancient Rome, Persia, Egypt, India, and China.  When they went to space with us, they named their first colony Aksum, after their capital during the time of Christ.  I stayed there to study the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, and became friends with the Empress of Ethiopia on one of her trips to the world.  She wasn’t Empress back then of course.  We still talk, and I help her when she needs it.