The most important is a painting by John Phillips, which Mr Ondaatje found in a private Australian collection, of Sir Richard Burton in Afghan dress before his ill-fated journey to find the source of the Nile.

ECONOMIST: Museum sponsorship

It is in Gondar that castles built in the 7th century overlook Lake Tana , the source of the Blue Nile .

FORBES: Connect

Ethiopia claims to be the source of about 85% of the total water in the Nile.

BBC: Ethiopia diverts Blue Nile for controversial dam build