Serae
Encyclopedia
Seraye is the name of a former Province of Eritrea
. It has since been incorporated primarily into the Debub
Region, though some western districts have become part of the Gash-Barka
Region. It is believed that the name of the Province from the "dark forests" which once thrived on its fertile ground.
Today the region is home to twelve monasteries of the Eritrean Orthodox Church as well as a number of new factories in the town of Mendefera
.
Districts of Serae
port of Adulis
, Asmara
, and Axum
. As Aksum continued its decline during the 9th century, Beja
clans, who were also known Balaw (or Belew, known locally as Belew Kelew; some hagiographical sources note the presence of this people in the area as early as the time of Emperor Kaleb
), who were also Orthodox Christian and had been under the suzerainty of the Aksumite rulers. They came to form the major ruling class in what would become Serae and elsewhere in the northern highlands in what are now Eritrea and Tigray. The Beja integrated with the local largely Semitic
-speaking population of the Highlands
and adopted their language and custom.
After the decline of Aksum, Serae continued to be a part of the domain of the new Ethiopian Zagwe dynasty
. With the fall of this dynasty around 1270 to the Solomonic dynasty
, Serae saw the immigration of another Cushitic-speaking group, the Agaw
. The Agaw set up settlements scattered all across Serae and integrated into the local society's customs and traditions, but nevertheless leaving their mark in the form of the Adkeme Melega'e legal system which was to dominate Serae's villagers until modern times. In the 14th century, members of the House of Ewostatewos
founded the monastery of Debre Mariam
in Serae, which grew into an important center of learning.
Although historian Richard Pankhurst
states that the Ethiopian control over the region, with the rest of the northern periphery, was restored soon after the Solomonic restoration
in 1270, the 1984 "Proceedings of the Permanent Peoples' Tribunal
of the International League for the Rights and Liberation of Peoples," declares that "[t]here was no administration that connected Hamasin and Serai to the centre of the Ethiopian
Kingdom. Indeed, there was little sense in which the Bahr Negash could be said to "control" the area." The first mention of the name "Serae" comes from a land grant of Emperor
Sayfa Ar`ed
(Newaya Krestos; r. 1344-1372) granting two tracts of land to the convent of Abba Medhanina Egzi'e of Bankwal. Emperor Yeshaq
(r. 1414-1429) granted another area in Serae to the monastery of Debre Abbay
. Although the area was spiritually tied to Aksum, it was also heavily influenced by the House of Ewostatewos, who was from Ger'alta in a more southerly district of Tigray
.
During the reorganization of the Ethiopian government under Zara Yaqob
(r. 1434-1468), the power of the Bahr Negash
(which may have been newly instituted by Zara Yaqob, or had already replaced the earlier Ma'ekele Bahr) power was greatly increased and elevated above the Shum/Seyum
s. He was given control over the rulers of Shire
(south of the Mareb River
in what is today Ethiopia), the Shum of Serae, the Shum of the semi-coastal district of Bur (incorporating Agame
, Akkele Guzay
, and the Buri Peninsula
), and two kentibas (local chiefs) of Hamasien
, with Debarwa
in Serae as his capital. He also issued a charter granting land to the monastery of Debre Mariam
in Serae; Lebna Dengel
(r. 1508-1540) also gave a land grant in Serae, to a certain Habte Ab, whose position was not recorded.
During the Italian colonial period, many plantations were established, the fertile ground attracting European colonizers.
Provinces of Eritrea
The Provinces of Eritrea existed between Eritrea's incorporation as a Colony of Italy until the conversion of the provinces into administrative regions....
. It has since been incorporated primarily into the Debub
Debub
Debub Region, also known as the Southern Region, is a region of Eritrea. It lies along a portion of the national border with Ethiopia.-Overview:...
Region, though some western districts have become part of the Gash-Barka
Gash-Barka
Gash-Barka is one of the six regions of Eritrea. It is situated in the south-west of the country, bordering the Anseba region to the north, and the Central and Southern regions to the east; the county of Sudan lies to the west and Ethiopia to the south....
Region. It is believed that the name of the Province from the "dark forests" which once thrived on its fertile ground.
Today the region is home to twelve monasteries of the Eritrean Orthodox Church as well as a number of new factories in the town of Mendefera
Mendefera
Mendefera , formerly Adi Ugri, is the capital of Zoba Debub in Eritrea. It is situated 54 kilometers south of the capital city Asmara. The name Mendefera derives from the high hill in the center of the city and is a source of pride to Eritreans...
.
Districts of Serae
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History
During the period of Aksum, the region became a successful trading region as it lay between the Red SeaRed Sea
The Red Sea is a seawater inlet of the Indian Ocean, lying between Africa and Asia. The connection to the ocean is in the south through the Bab el Mandeb strait and the Gulf of Aden. In the north, there is the Sinai Peninsula, the Gulf of Aqaba, and the Gulf of Suez...
port of Adulis
Adulis
Adulis or Aduli is an archeological site in the Northern Red Sea region of Eritrea, about 30 miles south of Massawa. It was the port of the Kingdom of Aksum, located on the coast of the Red Sea. Adulis Bay is named after the port...
, Asmara
Asmara
Asmara is the capital city and largest settlement in Eritrea, home to a population of around 579,000 people...
, and Axum
Axum
Axum or Aksum is a city in northern Ethiopia which was the original capital of the eponymous kingdom of Axum. Population 56,500 . Axum was a naval and trading power that ruled the region from ca. 400 BC into the 10th century...
. As Aksum continued its decline during the 9th century, Beja
Beja people
The Beja people are an ethnic group dwelling in parts of North Africa and the Horn of Africa.-Geography:The Beja are found mostly in Sudan, but also in parts of Eritrea, and Egypt...
clans, who were also known Balaw (or Belew, known locally as Belew Kelew; some hagiographical sources note the presence of this people in the area as early as the time of Emperor Kaleb
Kaleb of Axum
Kaleb is perhaps the best-documented, if not best-known, king of Axum. Procopius of Caesarea calls him "Hellestheaeus", a variant of his throne name Ella Atsbeha or Ella Asbeha...
), who were also Orthodox Christian and had been under the suzerainty of the Aksumite rulers. They came to form the major ruling class in what would become Serae and elsewhere in the northern highlands in what are now Eritrea and Tigray. The Beja integrated with the local largely Semitic
Semitic languages
The Semitic languages are a group of related languages whose living representatives are spoken by more than 270 million people across much of the Middle East, North Africa and the Horn of Africa...
-speaking population of the Highlands
Eritrean Highlands
The Eritrean Highlands are an extension of the Ethiopian Highlands to the south. The region has seen tremendous deforestation since the Italian Colonial period which began in the late 19th century. The Highlands are at particular risk of deforestation and associated soil erosion...
and adopted their language and custom.
After the decline of Aksum, Serae continued to be a part of the domain of the new Ethiopian Zagwe dynasty
Zagwe dynasty
The Zagwe dynasty was an historical kingdom in present-day Ethiopia. It ruled large parts of the territory from approximately 1137 to 1270, when the last Zagwe King Za-Ilmaknun was killed in battle by the forces of Yekuno Amlak...
. With the fall of this dynasty around 1270 to the Solomonic dynasty
Solomonic dynasty
The Solomonic dynasty is the Imperial House of Abyssinia. Its members claim lineal descent from King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba, the latter of whom tradition asserts gave birth to the first King Menelik I after her Biblically described visit to Solomon in Jerusalem .-Overview:The dynasty, a...
, Serae saw the immigration of another Cushitic-speaking group, the Agaw
Agaw
The Agaw are an ethnic group in Ethiopia and neighboring Eritrea.-History:The Agaw are perhaps first mentioned in the 3rd c. AD Aksumite inscription recorded by Cosmas Indicopleustes in the 6th century...
. The Agaw set up settlements scattered all across Serae and integrated into the local society's customs and traditions, but nevertheless leaving their mark in the form of the Adkeme Melega'e legal system which was to dominate Serae's villagers until modern times. In the 14th century, members of the House of Ewostatewos
Ewostatewos
Ewosṭatewos was an important religious leader of the Ethiopian Church. He was a forceful advocate for the Ethiopian form of observing the Sabbath...
founded the monastery of Debre Mariam
Debre Mariam
Debre Mariam is a monastery in Eritrea, founded by Abba Absadi, a disciple of the monk Ewostatewos between 1340-1350. The monastery is located at the confluence of the Obel and Gash Rivers. Since its founding the monastery acquired an extravagant manuscript library. Debre Mariam was the preeminent...
in Serae, which grew into an important center of learning.
Although historian Richard Pankhurst
Richard Pankhurst (academic)
Richard Keir Pethick Pankhurst OBE is a British academic with expertise in the study of Ethiopia.-Early life and education:...
states that the Ethiopian control over the region, with the rest of the northern periphery, was restored soon after the Solomonic restoration
Solomonic dynasty
The Solomonic dynasty is the Imperial House of Abyssinia. Its members claim lineal descent from King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba, the latter of whom tradition asserts gave birth to the first King Menelik I after her Biblically described visit to Solomon in Jerusalem .-Overview:The dynasty, a...
in 1270, the 1984 "Proceedings of the Permanent Peoples' Tribunal
Permanent Peoples' Tribunal
The Permanent Peoples' Tribunal is international opinion tribunal that was founded in Bologna June 24, 1979 at the initiative of Senator Lelio Basso. - International opinion tribunal :...
of the International League for the Rights and Liberation of Peoples," declares that "[t]here was no administration that connected Hamasin and Serai to the centre of the Ethiopian
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...
Kingdom. Indeed, there was little sense in which the Bahr Negash could be said to "control" the area." The first mention of the name "Serae" comes from a land grant of Emperor
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...
Sayfa Ar`ed
Newaya Krestos
Newaya Krestos was of Ethiopia, and a member of the Solomonic dynasty. He was the oldest son of Amda Seyon I....
(Newaya Krestos; r. 1344-1372) granting two tracts of land to the convent of Abba Medhanina Egzi'e of Bankwal. Emperor Yeshaq
Yeshaq I of Ethiopia
Yeshaq I or Isaac was of Ethiopia. A member of the Solomonic dynasty, he was the second son of Dawit I.-History:Yeshaq's reign was marked by a revolt of the Beta Israel...
(r. 1414-1429) granted another area in Serae to the monastery of Debre Abbay
Debre Abbay
Debre Abbay is a monastery of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church located at the edge of the canyon of the Tekezé River in the Tigray Region of Ethiopia. The monastery dates from the 14th century, and has important connections with Ethiopian history: the Emperor Zara Yaqob was educated there until his...
. Although the area was spiritually tied to Aksum, it was also heavily influenced by the House of Ewostatewos, who was from Ger'alta in a more southerly district of Tigray
Tigray Province
Tigray was a province of Ethiopia. The Tigray Region superseded the province with the adoption of the new constitution in 1995. The province of Tigre merged with its neighboring provinces, including Semien, Tembien, Agame and the prominent Enderta province and towards the end of 19th century it...
.
During the reorganization of the Ethiopian government under Zara Yaqob
Zara Yaqob
Zar'a Ya`qob or Zera Yacob was of Ethiopia , and a member of the Solomonic dynasty...
(r. 1434-1468), the power of the Bahr Negash
Negus
Negus is a title in Ge'ez, Tigrinya, Tigre and Amharic, used for a king and at times also a vassal ruler in pre-1974 Ethiopia and pre-1890 Eritrea. It is subsequently used to translate the word "king" in Biblical and other literature...
(which may have been newly instituted by Zara Yaqob, or had already replaced the earlier Ma'ekele Bahr) power was greatly increased and elevated above the Shum/Seyum
Ethiopian aristocratic and court titles
Until the end of the monarchy in 1974, there were two categories of nobility in Ethiopia: the Mesafint or princes, hereditary nobles, formed the upper echelon of the ruling class; while the Mekwanint were the appointed nobles, often of humble birth, who formed the bulk of the nobility...
s. He was given control over the rulers of Shire
Shire, Ethiopia
Shire , also known as Inda Selassie , is a town in northern Ethiopia. The administrative center of the Mirabawi Zone of the Tigray region, this town has a latitude and longitude of with an altitude of 1953 meters above sea level...
(south of the Mareb River
Mareb River
The Mareb River , is a river flowing out of central Eritrea. Its chief importance is defining part of the boundary between Eritrea and Ethiopia between the point where the Mai Ambassa enters the river at to the confluence of the Balasa with the Mareb at .According to the Statistical Abstract of...
in what is today Ethiopia), the Shum of Serae, the Shum of the semi-coastal district of Bur (incorporating Agame
Agame
The Agame is a former province in northern Ethiopia, now part of the Tigray Region. Its inhabitants include the Irob people, a region where tradition states the legendary Makeda was born and raised...
, Akkele Guzay
Akkele Guzay
Akkele Guzay was a province in the interior of Eritrea until 1996, when the newly independent government of Eritrea consolidated all provinces into six regions. Akkele Guzay's population predominantly consisted of followers of the Eritrean Orthodox Tewahdo Church. Traditionally being part of the...
, and the Buri Peninsula
Buri Peninsula
The Buri Peninsula extends from central Eritrea north into the Red Sea. To its west lies the Gulf of Zula. Varied in geography, it features mangroves and salt pans. It is known for its wildlife, including ostriches, hamadryas baboons and wild asses. Notable elevations include Mount Dulhi and...
), and two kentibas (local chiefs) of Hamasien
Hamasien
Hamasien was the name of an histoical province including and surrounding Asmara, now part of modern Eritrea. The region has been divided and distributed amongst the modern Maekel, Debub, Northern Red Sea, Gash-Barka and Anseba regions....
, with Debarwa
Debarwa
Debarwa is a market town with a population of about 25,000 in central Eritrea, about 25 kilometers south of the capital Asmara. It is the capital of the Debarwa district in the Debub administrative region...
in Serae as his capital. He also issued a charter granting land to the monastery of Debre Mariam
Debre Mariam
Debre Mariam is a monastery in Eritrea, founded by Abba Absadi, a disciple of the monk Ewostatewos between 1340-1350. The monastery is located at the confluence of the Obel and Gash Rivers. Since its founding the monastery acquired an extravagant manuscript library. Debre Mariam was the preeminent...
in Serae; 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...
(r. 1508-1540) also gave a land grant in Serae, to a certain Habte Ab, whose position was not recorded.
During the Italian colonial period, many plantations were established, the fertile ground attracting European colonizers.