Dek (center) and Daga (lower right) represent a pair of isles nestled amid the milky viridescent waters of Ethiopia’s Tana Lake. Both serve as locations for noteworthy sacred landmarks.(Image credit: NASA/ISS program)QUICK FACTS
Where is it? Dek and Daga, Ethiopia [11.907552854, 37.285011102]
What’s in the photo? A duo of isles centered within the verdant-hued Lake Tana
Who took the photo? An anonymous astronaut aboard the International Space Station
When was it taken? Jan. 2, 2017
This fascinating photo, snapped by an astronaut, depicts two isles in the turbid viridescent waters of a major African lake. These two parcels of land house monasteries preserving significant sacred artifacts, including the mortal remains of numerous ancient monarchs.
The duo of isles, christened Dek and Daga, reside within Ethiopia’s most expansive water source, Lake Tana, which encompasses about 1,200 square miles (3,100 square kilometers) on average — approximating the area of Rhode Island. The lake, designated as a UNESCO biosphere reserve, lies within the Ethiopian Highlands, approximately 5,800 feet (1,770 meters) above the level of the sea, and possesses a maximum depth reaching around 50 feet (15 m).
Lake Tana originated roughly 5 million years ago through volcanic occurrences that obstructed an assemblage of primordial rivers. It now acts as the prime origin for the Blue Nile — a 900-mile-long (1,450 kilometers) tributary of the Nile River that traverses Ethiopia and Sudan.
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Dek, the greater of the two isles, spans approximately 4.5 miles (7.5 km) at its broadest segment and harbors roughly 5,000 individuals, whereas Daga achieves a maximum breadth around 1 mile (1.6 km) and is not inhabited on a permanent basis.
Observed from an elevated viewpoint, the islands contrast with the lake’s lackluster milky-viridescent coloration, a consequence of algal proliferations sustained by nutrients originating from agricultural discharges and sewage, according to NASA’s Earth Observatory.
Dek and Daga rank among the 30-plus isles dispersed across Lake Tana.
Dek constitutes an agricultural center thanks to its soil imbued with volcanic nutrients and substantial rainfall, attributed to its positioning within the Intertropical Convergence Zone — a low-pressure area close to the equator prone to frequent thunderstorms. The preponderance of the isle’s expanse has been transformed to agricultural fields, showcasing light brown and red tinges when viewed aerially. Key harvests encompass corn, millet, coffee, and mangoes.
Visible in the picture, an intense orange lake rests toward Dek’s southeastern part. The specific element contributing to this lake’s vibrant colors remains indefinite, but it likely correlates with agricultural drain-off as well, as noted by the Earth Observatory.
Nevertheless, the most intriguing landmarks of these two islands are possibly their monasteries, which are difficult to spot from space.
Holy relics
Authorities surmise that at least a single church or monastery exists on upwards of half of the 30 or more isles within Lake Tana (the absolute figure of islands inside the lake remains a matter of dispute because a fraction only materializes amidst the rainy season, concurrent with the lake’s expansion). These sacred locations were established, in part, to defend Ethiopia’s most cherished relics and valuables during times of conflict, as detailed by the Earth Observatory.
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Dek’s Narga Selassie monastery stands as one among several eminent sacred sites dotted across the isles of Lake Tana.
Dek is graced with no less than five churches, alongside the 18th-century Narga Selassie monastery, which showcases impressive displays of Ethiopian history through its paintings. Conversely, Daga arguably hosts an even more significant monastery, referred to as Daga Estifanos or “St. Stephen of Daga,” originating from the 13th century.
The embalmed vestiges of a minimum of five Ethiopian emperors — who presided over the nation at various intervals spanning 1270 to 1730 — are enshrined at Daga Estifanos, each exhibited for sightseers within specialized glass-encased sarcophagi, accompanied by crowns, manuscripts, and additional artifacts emblematic of their sovereignty, according to data from the Lake Tana Biosphere Reserve website.
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However, prevailing local traditions stipulate that access to Daga and its monastery is exclusive to men. This community-imposed “no females” directive extends even to livestock.
Additional paramount sacred spots in Lake Tana encompass Tana Cherkos, an isle inhabited solely by monks from the Ethiopian Church. Tradition posits that the Ark of the Covenant dwelled there for approximately 800 years, following its alleged theft from Jerusalem and preceding its translocation to the Ethiopian mainland, according to the Lake Tana website.
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Harry BakerSocial Links NavigationSenior Staff Writer
Harry serves as a senior staff scribe at Live Science, operating from the U.K. He pursued studies in marine biology at the University of Exeter ahead of transitioning into journalism. He addresses a diverse spectrum of subjects including spacefaring, planetary science, space climatology, shifts in climate, ethology, and the science of fossils. His recent publication on the solar apex garnered the “best space submission” accolade at the 2024 Aerospace Media Awards and attained a nomination within the “top scoop” section at the NCTJ Awards for Excellence in 2023. He further contributes to Live Science’s recurring Earth from space compilation.
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