Gojjam
Encyclopedia
Gojjam was a kingdom in the north-western part of Ethiopia
, with its capital city at Debre Marqos
. This region is distinctive for lying entirely within the bend of the Abbay River from its outflow from Lake Tana
to the Sudan
. Gojjamis believe that they are the original people mentioned in the Bible as the river Guihon/Gihon (Nile) encircling the land of Cush extending to the ancient kingdom of Meroe. At the fall of Meroe by the Axumite king Ezana (4th Cent. AD). Gojjam (Guihon) became a kingdom and letter join the rest of the present kings of Ethiopia having their own kingship up unto the coming of Menlike II of Shoa in the late 19th century who reduced it to a province. (Stigma By Muse Tegegne 1993 Geneva).
The name Gojjam was given to the inhabitants resistance to accept he doctrine of Alexandrian Church in the past keeping their own version of the ancient testament. respecting the books like "Teezaze Senbet", the Book of the death of Moses, the Book of Enoch and that of the Psalms in Geez/Ethiopic version. (Stigma M.Tegegne).
Gojjam's earliest western boundary extened up unto the triangle extending to ancient Meroe In Sudan. By 1700, Gojjam's western neighbors were considered to be Agawmeder
in the southwest and Qwara
in the northwest. Agawmeder, never an organized political entity, was gradually absorbed by Gojjam until it reached west to the Sultanate of Gubba; Juan Maria Schuver
noted in his journeys in Agawmeder (September 1882) that three months prior "the Abyssinians considerably advanced their frontier towards the West, effacing what was left of the independent regions." Gubba acknowledged its dependence to Emperor Menelik II in 1898, but by 1942 was absorbed into Gojjam. Dek Island
in Lake Tana
was administratively part of Gojjam until 1987.
in the eastern and central parts of Gojjam, respectively were places of worship. Along with Tana Qirqos in Lake Tana
, Axum Tsion
in Tigray
, and Tadbaba Maryam in Wollo
province, Mertule Mariam was a place where animal sacrifices were made for worship. Gish Abay is also considered as a sacred place for being the source of Abay River, also called Felege Ghion in Geez. Ghion
is believed to be the Biblical name of Abay River that is mentioned in the Book of Genesis as one of the four rivers, which flows out of Aden and encompasses the land of Ethiopia. Considering its location within the bend of Abay River, the province of Gojjam is also referred to, especially by the church community, as Ghion or Felege Ghion.
The first church in Gojjam was then built at Mertule Mariam, which became the second church in Ethiopia, next to Axum Tsion. Tradition relates that Christianity then spread from Tana Qirqos, Gish Abay and Mertule Mariam to different parts of the province. Gojjam then became home to some of the finest liturgical schools in Ethiopia. Other schools worthy of mention include Washera Mariam, Dima Giorgis
, Debre Elias, Debre Werq
, Amanuel, Tsilalo, and Gonji. These schools are generally credited for developing a sophisticated genre of expression called Sem'na Worq ("Wax and Gold") which is distinctive to Ethiopia.
The earliest recorded mention of Gojjam was during the medieval period, in a note in a manuscript of Amda Seyon's
military campaigns there and in Damot in 1309 EC
(AD 1316/7), during which time it was incorporated into Ethiopia. It was also referenced on the Egyptus Novello map, (c.1451), where it is described as a kingdom (though it had by this time long been subject to the Emperor of Ethiopia
). Emperor Lebna Dengel
, in his letter to the King of Portugal
(1526), also described Gojjam as a kingdom but one that was part of his empire.
At least as early as Empress Eleni
, Gojjam provided the revenues of the Empress until the Zemene Mesafint
("Era of the Judges"), when central authority was weak and the revenues were appropriated by Fasil of Damot. Gojjam then became a power base for a series of warlord
s at least as late as Ras Hailu Tekle Haymanot
, who was deposed in 1932.
During the Italian occupation
, Gojjam came to be the home of armed bands who resisted the Italian occupiers, whose leaders included Belay Zelleke
, Mengesha Jemberie, Negash Bezabih and Hailu Belew. These resistance fighters, known as arbegnoch (or "Patriots"), limited the Italians to only the immediate arreas around heavily fortified towns like Debre Markos. Belay Zelleke was even able to fully liberate and run civil administration in the eastern part of Gojjam and some adjacent woredas in South Wollo and North Shoa. Since the Italians were unable to bring Gojjam under their control, the province was finally chosen by Emperor Haile Selassie as a safest way to return back to Ethiopia. During his return, he was supported by the combined forces of British army
, Gojjamie Patriots, and other Ethiopians living abroad by then in fear of persecution by Italians. During the reign of Emperor Haile Selassie, however, the inhabitants of Gojjam rebelled several times due to resentment over ill-treatment of patriots and increased taxes, the latest occasion in 1968 -- about the same time as the Bale revolt. Unlike in Bale
, the central government did not use a military solution to end the revolt, instead replacing the governors and reversing the attempt to levy new taxes; in response to the 1968 revolt, the central government went as far as waiving tax arrears back to 1950.
Gojjam was divided in to western and eastern portions during the time of the Derg
military regime, with Debre Marqos remaining the capital of East Gojjam while Bahir Dar
became the capital of West Gojjam. With the adoption of a new constitution in 1995
, Gojjam was divided with the westernmost part forming the majority of the Metekel Zone
of the Benishangul-Gumuz Region, and the rest becoming the Agew Awai
, the Mirab (West) Gojjam
and the Misraq (East) Gojjam Zones
of the Amhara Region
.
Ethiopia
Ethiopia , officially known as the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. It is the second-most populous nation in Africa, with over 82 million inhabitants, and the tenth-largest by area, occupying 1,100,000 km2...
, with its capital city at Debre Marqos
Debre Marqos
Debre Marqos is a city and woreda in east-central Ethiopia. Located in the Misraq Gojjam Zone of the Amhara Region, it has a latitude and longitude of , and an elevation of 2,446 meters. The city is named Debre Marqos after its principal church, which was constructed in 1869 and dedicated to St....
. This region is distinctive for lying entirely within the bend of the Abbay River from its outflow from Lake Tana
Lake Tana
Lake Tana is the source of the Blue Nile and is the largest lake in Ethiopia...
to the Sudan
Sudan
Sudan , officially the Republic of the Sudan , is a country in North Africa, sometimes considered part of the Middle East politically. It is bordered by Egypt to the north, the Red Sea to the northeast, Eritrea and Ethiopia to the east, South Sudan to the south, the Central African Republic to the...
. Gojjamis believe that they are the original people mentioned in the Bible as the river Guihon/Gihon (Nile) encircling the land of Cush extending to the ancient kingdom of Meroe. At the fall of Meroe by the Axumite king Ezana (4th Cent. AD). Gojjam (Guihon) became a kingdom and letter join the rest of the present kings of Ethiopia having their own kingship up unto the coming of Menlike II of Shoa in the late 19th century who reduced it to a province. (Stigma By Muse Tegegne 1993 Geneva).
The name Gojjam was given to the inhabitants resistance to accept he doctrine of Alexandrian Church in the past keeping their own version of the ancient testament. respecting the books like "Teezaze Senbet", the Book of the death of Moses, the Book of Enoch and that of the Psalms in Geez/Ethiopic version. (Stigma M.Tegegne).
Gojjam's earliest western boundary extened up unto the triangle extending to ancient Meroe In Sudan. By 1700, Gojjam's western neighbors were considered to be Agawmeder
Agawmeder
Agawmeder was a historical state and region in the northwestern part of Ethiopia. It most likely etymology is from Agew , a people living in the area plus meder , thus meaning "Land of the Agaw"...
in the southwest and Qwara
Qwara Province
Qwara was a province in Ethiopia, located between Lake Tana and the frontier with Sudan, and stretcing from Agawmeder in the south as far north as Metemma...
in the northwest. Agawmeder, never an organized political entity, was gradually absorbed by Gojjam until it reached west to the Sultanate of Gubba; Juan Maria Schuver
Juan Maria Schuver
Juan Maria Schuver was a Dutch explorer who was a native of Amsterdam....
noted in his journeys in Agawmeder (September 1882) that three months prior "the Abyssinians considerably advanced their frontier towards the West, effacing what was left of the independent regions." Gubba acknowledged its dependence to Emperor Menelik II in 1898, but by 1942 was absorbed into Gojjam. Dek Island
Dek Island
Dek Island is the biggest island on Lake Tana in Ethiopia. It is administratively included in the Bahir Dar Zuria woreda of the Mirab Gojjam Zone. To the southeast of Dek is the much smaller Daga Island.- Overview :It is home to several monasteries, the best known being Narga Selassie...
in Lake Tana
Lake Tana
Lake Tana is the source of the Blue Nile and is the largest lake in Ethiopia...
was administratively part of Gojjam until 1987.
History
The ancient history of Gojjam is mostly associated with religion. During the pre-Christianity era Mertule Mariam and Gish AbayGish Abay
Gish Abay is a town in west-central Ethiopia. Located in the Mirab Gojjam Zone of the Amhara Region, it is the administrative center of Sekela woreda. The town is named after the nearby Mount Gish and the Abay River whose source is in the foothills of the mountain...
in the eastern and central parts of Gojjam, respectively were places of worship. Along with Tana Qirqos in Lake Tana
Lake Tana
Lake Tana is the source of the Blue Nile and is the largest lake in Ethiopia...
, Axum Tsion
Church of Our Lady Mary of Zion
The Church of Our Virgin Mary of Zion of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church is the most important church in Ethiopia...
in Tigray
Tigray
Tigray may refer to:* Tigray Region* Tigray Province* Tigray people...
, and Tadbaba Maryam in Wollo
Wollo
Wollo was a historical region and province in the northeastern part of Ethiopia, with its capital city at Dessie. The province was named after the Wollo Oromo, who settled in this part of Ethiopia in the 17th century...
province, Mertule Mariam was a place where animal sacrifices were made for worship. Gish Abay is also considered as a sacred place for being the source of Abay River, also called Felege Ghion in Geez. Ghion
Gihon
Gihon is the name of the second river mentioned in the second chapter of the biblical Book of Genesis. The Gihon is mentioned as one of four rivers issuing out of the Garden of Eden that branched from a single river within the garden. The name may be interpreted as "Bursting Forth, Gushing"...
is believed to be the Biblical name of Abay River that is mentioned in the Book of Genesis as one of the four rivers, which flows out of Aden and encompasses the land of Ethiopia. Considering its location within the bend of Abay River, the province of Gojjam is also referred to, especially by the church community, as Ghion or Felege Ghion.
The first church in Gojjam was then built at Mertule Mariam, which became the second church in Ethiopia, next to Axum Tsion. Tradition relates that Christianity then spread from Tana Qirqos, Gish Abay and Mertule Mariam to different parts of the province. Gojjam then became home to some of the finest liturgical schools in Ethiopia. Other schools worthy of mention include Washera Mariam, Dima Giorgis
Dima, Gojjam
Dima is a village in west-central Ethiopia. Located in the Misraq Gojjam Zone of the Amhara Region, it has a latitude and longitude of and an elevation of 2076 meters above sea level. It is one of three settlements in Enemay woreda....
, Debre Elias, Debre Werq
Debre Werq
Debre Werq is a town in western Ethiopia. Located in the Misraq Gojjam Zone of the Amhara Region, this town has a latitude and longitude of with an elevation of 2489 meters above sea level. It is known for its church and a hilltop monastery dedicated to the Virgin Mary, around which the community...
, Amanuel, Tsilalo, and Gonji. These schools are generally credited for developing a sophisticated genre of expression called Sem'na Worq ("Wax and Gold") which is distinctive to Ethiopia.
The earliest recorded mention of Gojjam was during the medieval period, in a note in a manuscript of Amda Seyon's
Amda Seyon I
Amda Seyon was Emperor of Ethiopia , and a member of the Solomonic dynasty...
military campaigns there and in Damot in 1309 EC
Ethiopian calendar
The Ethiopian calendar , also called the Ge'ez calendar, is the principal calendar used in Ethiopia and also serves as the liturgical calendar for Christians in Eritrea belonging to the Eritrean Orthodox Church, Eastern Catholic Church and Lutheran Evangelical Church of Eritrea...
(AD 1316/7), during which time it was incorporated into Ethiopia. It was also referenced on the Egyptus Novello map, (c.1451), where it is described as a kingdom (though it had by this time long been subject to the Emperor of Ethiopia
Emperor of Ethiopia
The Emperor of Ethiopia was the hereditary ruler of Ethiopia until the abolition of the monarchy in 1974. The Emperor was the head of state and head of government, with ultimate executive, judicial and legislative power in that country...
). Emperor Lebna Dengel
Dawit II of Ethiopia
Dawit II , enthroned as Emperor Anbasa Segad , better known by his birth name Lebna Dengel was of Ethiopia, and a member of the Solomonic dynasty...
, in his letter to the King of Portugal
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
(1526), also described Gojjam as a kingdom but one that was part of his empire.
At least as early as Empress Eleni
Eleni of Ethiopia
Eleni or Helena was the wife of Zara Yaqob, and Empress of Ethiopia. She played a significant role in the government of Ethiopia during her lifetime, acting as regent or advisor to a number of Emperors; one testimony of this is the manuscript Bruce 88, which states that she had been in the palace...
, Gojjam provided the revenues of the Empress until the Zemene Mesafint
Zemene Mesafint
The Zemene Mesafint was a period in Ethiopian history when the country was rent by conflicts between warlords, the Emperor was reduced to little more than a figurehead confined to the capital city of...
("Era of the Judges"), when central authority was weak and the revenues were appropriated by Fasil of Damot. Gojjam then became a power base for a series of warlord
Warlord
A warlord is a person with power who has both military and civil control over a subnational area due to armed forces loyal to the warlord and not to a central authority. The term can also mean one who espouses the ideal that war is necessary, and has the means and authority to engage in war...
s at least as late as Ras Hailu Tekle Haymanot
Hailu Tekle Haymanot
Hailu Tekle Haymanot, KBE , also named Hailu II of Gojjam, was an army commander and a member of the nobility of the Ethiopian Empire. He represented a provincial ruling elite who were often at odds with the Ethiopian central government...
, who was deposed in 1932.
During the Italian occupation
Italian East Africa
Italian East Africa was an Italian colonial administrative subdivision established in 1936, resulting from the merger of the Ethiopian Empire with the old colonies of Italian Somaliland and Italian Eritrea. In August 1940, British Somaliland was conquered and annexed to Italian East Africa...
, Gojjam came to be the home of armed bands who resisted the Italian occupiers, whose leaders included Belay Zelleke
Belay Zelleke
Belay Zeleke was born in 1896 in the Bitchena , Ethiopia to a mother from Amhara and to a father from Gojam. At a very young age in a mysterious situation, Belay Zeleke killed his uncle which prompted him to flee his village and live as a fugitive isolated from his family and friends for the...
, Mengesha Jemberie, Negash Bezabih and Hailu Belew. These resistance fighters, known as arbegnoch (or "Patriots"), limited the Italians to only the immediate arreas around heavily fortified towns like Debre Markos. Belay Zelleke was even able to fully liberate and run civil administration in the eastern part of Gojjam and some adjacent woredas in South Wollo and North Shoa. Since the Italians were unable to bring Gojjam under their control, the province was finally chosen by Emperor Haile Selassie as a safest way to return back to Ethiopia. During his return, he was supported by the combined forces of British army
East African Campaign (World War II)
The East African Campaign was a series of battles fought in East Africa during World War II by the British Empire, the British Commonwealth of Nations and several allies against the forces of Italy from June 1940 to November 1941....
, Gojjamie Patriots, and other Ethiopians living abroad by then in fear of persecution by Italians. During the reign of Emperor Haile Selassie, however, the inhabitants of Gojjam rebelled several times due to resentment over ill-treatment of patriots and increased taxes, the latest occasion in 1968 -- about the same time as the Bale revolt. Unlike in Bale
Bale Province, Ethiopia
Bale is the name of two former polities located in the southeastern part of modern Ethiopia.- The medieval dependency of Bale :...
, the central government did not use a military solution to end the revolt, instead replacing the governors and reversing the attempt to levy new taxes; in response to the 1968 revolt, the central government went as far as waiving tax arrears back to 1950.
Gojjam was divided in to western and eastern portions during the time of the Derg
Derg
The Derg or Dergue was a Communist military junta that came to power in Ethiopia following the ousting of Haile Selassie I. Derg, which means "committee" or "council" in Ge'ez, is the short name of the Coordinating Committee of the Armed Forces, Police, and Territorial Army, a committee of...
military regime, with Debre Marqos remaining the capital of East Gojjam while Bahir Dar
Bahir Dar
Bahir Dar is a city in north western Ethiopia. It is the capital of the Amhara Region .Administratively, Bahir Dar is considered a Special Zone, placing it midway between Addis Ababa and Dire Dawa which are organized as chartered cities , and cities like Debre Marqos and Dessie, which are...
became the capital of West Gojjam. With the adoption of a new constitution in 1995
1995 Constitution of Ethiopia
The current Constitution of Ethiopia, which is the supreme law of the Federal Republic of Ethiopia, was adopted by the Transitional Government of Ethiopia in December 1994 and came into force in August 1995. The constitution was drawn up by the Constituent Assembly elected in June of that year.The...
, Gojjam was divided with the westernmost part forming the majority of the Metekel Zone
Metekel Zone
Metekel is one of the three Zones in the Benishangul-Gumuz Region of Ethiopia, named after the former Metekkel province. It is bordered on the south by Kamashi, on the southwest by Asosa, on the west by Sudan, and on the north and east by the Amhara Region...
of the Benishangul-Gumuz Region, and the rest becoming the Agew Awai
Agew Awi Zone
Agew Awi is one of 10 Zones in the Amhara Region of Ethiopia. Agew Awi is named for the Awi sub-group of the Agaw people, some of whom live in this Zone. Agew Awi is bordered on the south by the Oromia Region, on the west by Benishangul-Gumuz Region, on the north-west by Semien Gondar Zone and on...
, the Mirab (West) Gojjam
Mirab Gojjam Zone
Mirab Gojjam is a Zone in the Amhara Region of Ethiopia. Mirab Gojjam is named after the former province of Gojjam was divided in to two administrative zones by EPRDF...
and the Misraq (East) Gojjam Zones
Misraq Gojjam Zone
Misraq Gojjam is a Zone in the Amhara Region of Ethiopia. Misraq Gojjam is named after the former province of Gojjam.Misraq Gojjam is bordered on the south by the Oromia Region, on the west by Mirab Gojjam, on the north by Debub Gondar, and on the east by Debub Wollo; the bend of the Abay River...
of the Amhara Region
Amhara Region
Amhara is one of the nine ethnic divisions of Ethiopia, containing the homeland of the Amhara people. Previously known as Region 3, its capital is Bahir Dar....
.