Needless to say, Aksurmite civilization had other aspects besides architectural tokens of power. Culturally, the Aksumite Empire was vibrant. One of Aksum's greatest cultural contributions was Saint Yared's seamless musical system. Yard's hymns were so moving that even ‘... the King and Queen and the Bishops and priests and the King's nobles ran to the church and they spent the day by listening to him; For Yared, church music was 'of a divine, not human origin.’ He also combined spiritual singing with dancing known locally as Shibsheba. No other church in the world combines dancing with chanting. Typically, Tigrayian Orthodox priests sing and dance use instruments such as the Koboro (drum) and Tsanatsil (Sistra) wearing their snow-white ceremonial dresses. The sights and sounds of the Shibsheba are believed to be the greatest accomplishment of the 6th century in Tigray.
- Saint Yared: The Father of Liturgy of the Orthodox Church in East Africa
A short distance to the east of the Daero Ella fig tree, in the middle of the road to the Stelae Park, is a small walled enclosure in which are set two Aksumite pillars, possibly from thrones similar to those in the Cathedral precinct. They are known as the Pillars of Saint Yard and are used at festivals and other occasions when the Ark of the Covenant is carried in procession around the outside of the cathedral precinct.
- Pillars of Saint Yard