Alem (finial)

Okay kiddo, have you ever seen a building that has a pointy decoration at the top? That's called a finial. In Ethiopia, they have a special type of finial called an alem.

The alem is a decorative piece that goes on top of a flagpole or a staff. It's usually made out of metal and has a lot of intricate designs and patterns carved into it. The alem is kind of like a crown for the flagpole or staff.

The reason the alem is so important in Ethiopia is because it symbolizes power and authority. It's usually only used by important people like the Emperor, high-ranking officials, or religious leaders.

So next time you see a pointy decoration on top of a building, remember that in Ethiopia they have a special one called an alem that's used to show power and authority!