The survival of Ethiopia as a religious and national unit is investigated through inquiry. Intended as a learning experience for students of African history, the paper provides information on Ethiopia's past, its present status, and on the choice the nation faces between modernity and tradition. A calendar of religious and political events in Ethiopia and a summary of the legend of Solomon and Sheba are presented as background. Eight question-answer sequences involving the development of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, legends, military and political history, and religious conflicts are presented. An enrichment activity is described which asks students to make value judgments about recent developments in the Ethiopian Church. A bibliography is included. (Author/DB)