The Blue Nile, known as the Abay River in Ethiopia and an-Nīl al-ʾAzraqu in Arabic, is a river whose source is Lake Tana in Ethiopia. It takes its name from the dark color of its waters, especially during the rainy season, when it carries a large amount of fertile sediment from the highlands of Ethiopia.
After leaving Lake Tana, the Blue Nile flows south before entering a huge 400 km long canyon. This canyon, often compared to the Grand Canyon, represents a major barrier for communication and travel between northern and southern Ethiopia.
The Blue Nile has several tributaries in Ethiopia. Among the most important on its left bank are the Wanqa, the Bashilo, the Walaqa, the Wanchet, the Jamma, the Muger, the Guder, the Agwel, the Nedi, the Didessa and the Dabus. On its right bank, the major tributaries are the Handassa, the Tul, the Abaya, the Sade, the Tammi, the Cha, the Shita, the Suha, the Muga, the Gulla, the Temcha, the Bachat, the Katlan, the Jiba, Chamoga, Weter and Beles.
II. The Natural Beauty of the Blue Nile in Ethiopia: Tis Abay Falls
Close to the start of the canyon is one of Ethiopia's biggest tourist attractions, the Blue Nile Falls, called Tis Abay, meaning 'great smoke'. These spectacular waterfalls attract thousands of visitors every year and are an iconic symbol of Ethiopia's natural beauty.
III. The Blue Nile in Sudan and its Role in the Fertility of the Nile Valley
A. Journey to Sudan and Confluence with the White Nile
After crossing the gorges and canyons of Ethiopia, the Blue Nile turns northwest to enter Sudan. It travels about 650 km there, passing through the town of Er Roseires and receives the Dinder River on its right bank. Eventually, in Khartoum, the Blue Nile meets its sibling, the White Nile, and together they continue their journey to the Mediterranean forming the Nile.
B. Seasonality and Water Supply
The rainy season, from June to September, marks the peak of the flow of the Blue Nile. During this period, the river provides between 80 and 86% of the Nile's water. The Blue Nile is thus the main source of Nile flooding in Egypt, contributing to the fertility of the Nile Valley and the flourishing of ancient Egyptian civilization.
IV. The Exploitation of the Blue Nile: Dams and Agriculture
A. Importance for the Economy of Sudan
In Sudan, the Blue Nile is an essential resource for irrigation and power generation. The Roseires and Sennar dams, for example, provide 80% of the country's electricity. These dams also help irrigate the Gezira region, known for its production of high quality cotton, wheat and fodder.
B. The Great Ethiopian Renaissance Dam
In November 2012, Ethiopia began construction of the Great Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, a 6000 megawatt hydroelectric power station on the Blue Nile. Planned as a driver of Ethiopia's economy, the dam has nevertheless raised concerns among downstream countries, Sudan and Egypt, which fear a reduction in their water supply. Commissioning of the power plant began in February 2022.
V. Historical Exploration of the Blue Nile
A. The European Pioneers
The history of exploration of the Blue Nile dates back centuries. The first European known to have seen the Blue Nile in Ethiopia and its source was a Spanish Jesuit, Pedro Páez, who reached the source of the river on April 21, 1618. Before him, the Portuguese João Bermuda had provided the first description of the falls of Tis Abay (Blue Nile) in 1565, but he had not reached the source. Several European explorers considered following the course of the Nile from the confluence of the Blue Nile with the White Nile to Lake Tana, but the Blue Nile canyon has discouraged all attempts since that of Frédéric Cailliaud in 1821.
B. Expeditions of XXe Century
Au XXe century, the exploration of the Blue Nile was marked by important expeditions. One of them is the one carried out in 1968 by a team of 60 British and Ethiopian soldiers and scientists, led by explorer John Blashford-Snell. At the request of Haile Selassie, they made the first complete descent of the river from Lake Tana to a point near the Sudanese border. Later, in 1999, writer Virginia Morell and photographer Nevada Wier made the raft trip from Lake Tana to Sudan.
C. Explorers of the XNUMXst Century
Exploration of the Blue Nile continues into the 28st century. On April 2004, 29, geologist Pasquale Scaturro and his partner, kayaker and documentarian Gordon Brown, became the first known people to navigate the entire Blue Nile. Their adventure is immortalized in the film “Mystery of the Nile” and in a book of the same title. On January 2005, 5, Canadian Les Jickling and fellow New Zealander Mark Tanner completed the first fully human-powered crossing of the entire Blue Nile and River Nile in Sudan and Egypt. Their journey of more than 000 km took five months, crossing Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt.
The Blue Nile, despite its tumultuous history of exploration and colonization, continues to play a crucial role in the lives of the peoples who live along its banks. From Lake Tana in Ethiopia to its confluence with the White Nile in Khartoum, the Blue Nile remains a vital source of water, a transportation route and a symbol of cultural heritage for millions of people.