I grew and attended my primary and highschoos in Meket District, North Wollo. I got my BA degree in History from Debre Markos University and MA degree in Archaeology from Addis Ababa Univeristy. I'm now teaching at Hawassa University.
Local heritage conservation practices and challenges, 2024
This study sought to assess local conservation practices and problems in the context of managemen... more This study sought to assess local conservation practices and problems in the context of management of cultural heritage in Ethiopia focusing on ancient rock-hewn churches in Lay Gayint District, Amhara Region. Interviews, questionnaires, and field observations were used to gather its data. The authors used a descriptive research strategy, combining qualitative and quantitative methods. The findings demonstrated that causes from both nature and human activity deteriorated the rock-hewn churches of Lay Gayint. The main natural elements that damaged the hypogea's architectural elements were sunlight, rain, and botanical interventions. Intentions to repair damaged features of the rock-hewn churches were initiated and managed only with the efforts of the local communities. These local efforts lacked assistance from conservation experts and hence failed to restore the lost architectural details of the rock-hewn churches. These had also posed new challenges to the preservation efforts. The primary man-made factors endangering the churches' movable sacred treasures include theft and a lack of convenient storage for antiquities. The conservation condition of the rock-hewn churches demonstrates the current precarious state of CHM in rural areas of the country, calling for scholars' and enforcement of heritage management frameworks to preserve these incredible cultural properties for future generations.
Journal Sampurasun : Interdisciplinary Studies for Cultural Heritage
Gedeo is the area where Africa’s largest megalithic stone concentration is found. This research a... more Gedeo is the area where Africa’s largest megalithic stone concentration is found. This research aims to assess the heritage management problems of megalithic sites in Gedeo Zone, Ethiopia, with a focus on the Tutu Fella and Chelba Tututi sites. Methodologically, the study employed primary and secondary sources, which were collected through a literature review, field work, and interviews with local informants. The study shows that the megalithic stones have historical, archaeological, symbolical, artistic and commemorative significances which enable the sites to be major source of tourism development in the area. However, these multifaceted collective past memories are subjected to mismanagement activities that have a negative impact on the preservation of the megalithic stones. These problems are associated with the lack of awareness among the local community about the values and the need for the management of the megalithic stones, the expansion of Christianity and the subsequent s...
This study explores the historical and architectural heritage of Wukro Medhane Alem, a least-know... more This study explores the historical and architectural heritage of Wukro Medhane Alem, a least-known monolithic rock-hewn church in South Gondar. Primary and secondary sources of the study were collected through fieldwork, interviews, and literature review. The study shows that it is one of the medieval churches traditionally attributed to King Lalibela (r. 1181-1221). The hypogeum has a rectangular plan being deeply excavated out of bedrock. There is a built-up feature added over the roof's edge of the rock-hewn church. It imitates a Gondarine architectural tradition, implying the transition from the earlier rock-hewn tradition to the building architectural orientation of the Gondarine period (1636-1769). Its hypogeum reflects an Aksumite and medieval architectural tradition. Internally, the basilica is partitioned into kine mahilet (chanting), kiddist (holy) and mekides or kiddiste kiddusan (sanctuary) rooms through the arranged rock-hewn pillars, which are refined with arches, ...
This study explores the historical and architectural heritage of Wukro Medhane Alem, a least-know... more This study explores the historical and architectural heritage of Wukro Medhane Alem, a least-known monolithic rock-hewn church in South Gondar. Primary and secondary sources of the study were collected through fieldwork, interviews, and literature review. The study shows that it is one of the medieval churches traditionally attributed to King Lalibela (r. 1181-1221). The hypogeum has a rectangular plan being deeply excavated out of bedrock. There is a built-up feature added over the roof's edge of the rock-hewn church. It imitates a Gondarine architectural tradition, implying the transition from the earlier rock-hewn tradition to the building architectural orientation of the Gondarine period (1636-1769). Its hypogeum reflects an Aksumite and medieval architectural tradition. Internally, the basilica is partitioned into kine mahilet (chanting), kiddist (holy) and mekides or kiddiste kiddusan (sanctuary) rooms through the arranged rock-hewn pillars, which are refined with arches, capitals, and entablatures that create the ceiling of the roof which is also decorated with engraved cruciform, geometrical, quadrifoliate, and crown-like protruding features. The kiddiste kiddusan has six sub-sanctuaries with doubled circular domed roofs and rectangular altars cut from the main rock. The hypogeum, thus, has such potential values to be promoted as an alternative tourist site in historic Gondar, which is mainly known to tourists for its built palaces.
Journal Sampurasun: Interdisciplinary Studiea for Cultural Heritage, 2022
Gedeo is the area where Africa's largest megalithic stone concentration is found. This research a... more Gedeo is the area where Africa's largest megalithic stone concentration is found. This research aims to assess the heritage management problems of megalithic sites in Gedeo Zone, Ethiopia, with a focus on the Tutu Fella and Chelba Tututi sites. Methodologically, the study employed primary and secondary sources, which were collected through a literature review, field work, and interviews with local informants. The study shows that the megalithic stones have historical, archaeological, symbolical, artistic and commemorative significances which enable the sites to be major source of tourism development in the area. However, these multifaceted collective past memories are subjected to mismanagement activities that have a negative impact on the preservation of the megalithic stones. These problems are associated with the lack of awareness among the local community about the values and the need for the management of the megalithic stones, the expansion of Christianity and the subsequent socio-cultural changes in the area, the mismanagement of the site's tourism activity, which is not supported by regular and legal means of collection of tourist entrance fees, the weakness of the local culture and tourism offices to employ protection activities for the sites, and the absence of continuous recording and promotion works on these features. The study also recommends the need for creating public platforms to increase the local community's awareness of the importance of the sites, continuous recording and promotion, the use of legal frameworks to support heritage management and tourism development in the sites, and recognition of the sites as national heritage.
Ethiopia is a country of great cultural antiquities. However, it is in contrary a country where i... more Ethiopia is a country of great cultural antiquities. However, it is in contrary a country where its great cultural values are declining. This study explores a long neglected rock-hewn church recently revealed in Lay Gaynt District, South Gondar. To this end, data of the study was collected through field observation and interview and interpreted qualitatively. The site is known among the local society as Tefu Bete Kristian which means the abandoned church that is not served as a church. Attesting significant architectural motifs, it is a monolithic church carved out of single bedrock. The absence of frontal exterior rock wall characters its planning unusual. Unlike the columns in the interior nave, its exterior columns that partly surround the hypogeum lack decorative embellishments. It has a nave enclosed by a rock wall with doorways evidencing Aksumite architectural affinities. Cruciform and geometrical engravings are the dominant decorative expressions of the nave. The nave is par...
Ethiopia is endowed with incredible rock-cut churches embodying great architectural, aesthetic an... more Ethiopia is endowed with incredible rock-cut churches embodying great architectural, aesthetic and artistic significance built over its past. However, these priceless cultural antiquities are frequently confronted with different threats. This study aims to explore potential threats and associated impacts evidencing with least known and threatened rock-cut churches. Several rock-cut churches are subjected to different problems such as stripping, cracking, degradation, breaking and demolition that badly affected their significant values. Different natural and anthropogenic agents are responsible for these problems. Recycling rainfall and sunlight, among others, are the major natural factors that caused deterioration or destruction of various rock-cut churches. Uninformed local intervention, one of the major anthropogenic factors, not only has failed to restore lost structural, architectural and aesthetic elements of the rock-cut churches but it also has replaced original rock-cut feat...
Ethiopian Renaissance Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2021
This paper assesses the persistent backache and intransigent ethnicization of the Ethiopian past ... more This paper assesses the persistent backache and intransigent ethnicization of the Ethiopian past and shows the role of heritagizing the past as a common heritage for unity. Formerly introduced by colonial agents, ethnicization and abusing the past was practiced since the 1960s Students' Movement. The movement against the imperial regime assumed consolidation in subsequent rise of ethno-nationalist armed fronts of the 1970s and 1980s. Thus, 1991 only marked the capture of state power by few ethno-political coalitions led by TPLF. Anachronistically, Ethiopians' interactions and coexistence, state formation process, epidemic diseases and the EOTC have been subjected for ambitious ethno-political or secessionism intrigues. The country's past is distorted and devaluated as a mythical construction. Injustices are primarily advocated, causing ethnic conflicts. However, our past is a resource that can be valorized as a shared heritage to bring better harmonious relationship and mutual development for its burgeoning population. In regard to this, Ethiopia is best placed to improve the life and unity of its people than battling over it. The empire formation process, which many ethno-nationalist writers propagate as all too-negative, cannot be seen in the "scramble for Africa" perspective. The process took three main phases. Being well flourished as a result of continuous agricultural and commercial activities and settlement process of its preceding periods, the Aksumite period took the first phase and the second continued following the shift of the Ethiopian state into Lasta and Shewa since the 10th century A.D. The rise of Emperor Tewodros II in 1855 marked the beginning of the last phase and completed under Menelik II. The foundation of Addis Ababa as the empire's center in 1886 was mainly linked with its role during the medieval period. Its cultural legacies needs valorization, the opening of Menelik's palace as "Unity Park" for tourists is a worthy instance to heritagize and communalizes the Ethiopian past.
A THESIS PRESENTED TO THE SCHOOL OF GRADUATE STUDIES OF ADDIS ABABA UNIVERSITY IN PARTIAL FULFILL... more A THESIS PRESENTED TO THE SCHOOL OF GRADUATE STUDIES OF ADDIS ABABA UNIVERSITY IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF ARTS IN ARCHAEOLOGY
Ethiopia is endowed with incredible rock-cut churches embodying great architectural, aesthetic an... more Ethiopia is endowed with incredible rock-cut churches embodying great architectural, aesthetic and artistic significance built over its past. However, these priceless cultural antiquities are frequently confronted with different threats. This study aims to explore potential threats and associated impacts evidencing with least known and threatened rock-cut churches. Several rock-cut churches are subjected to different problems such as stripping, cracking, degradation, breaking and demolition that badly affected their significant values. Different natural and anthropogenic agents are responsible for these problems. Recycling rainfall and sunlight, among others, are the major natural factors that caused deterioration or destruction of various rock-cut churches. Uninformed local intervention, one of the major anthropogenic factors, not only has failed to restore lost structural, architectural and aesthetic elements of the rock-cut churches but it also has replaced original rock-cut feat...
This study aims to introduce the history, architecture and conservational status of Nazugn Maryam... more This study aims to introduce the history, architecture and conservational status of Nazugn Maryam and Abunä Aron, two of the many rock-hewn churches found in Mäqét District, North Wällo. Nazugn Maryam is a monolithic structure believed to have been built during the 4 th century A.D. The externally sculpted vertical buttresses; the pointed, semi-circular, opened and false windows; and the horizontal supporter are among the architectural distinctions of this church. It also has an elaborated drainage system via south-westerly and north-easterly tunnels. Such features suggest continuity in the architectural tradition of the country and make Nazugn Maryam comparatively pertinent to the stylistic and engineering apogee attained in the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela. Abunä Aron, on the other hand, takes its name from an Ethiopian monk who built the church in the 14 th century. This cave church has a complex layout constituting seven divisions. Its most amazing feature is, however, the sәqurät (ስቁረት), a waterproof aperture on the roof of the chanting, which attests to the architectural excellence of the hewer. Despite the historical and architectural significance of the two churches, they remained isolated from the discussion of rock-hewn churches in the country partly due to their geographical inaccessibility. This study endeavours to fill the lacunae by identifying challenges related to anthropogenic and natural factors, as well as indicating the urgent need for conservation. It also provides information useful to promote the churches to believers, researchers and heritage management officials.
Ethiopia is a country of great cultural antiquities. However, it is in contrary a country where i... more Ethiopia is a country of great cultural antiquities. However, it is in contrary a country where its great cultural values are declining. This study explores a long neglected rock-hewn church recently revealed in Lay Gaynt District, South Gondar. To this end, data of the study was collected through field observation and interview and interpreted qualitatively. The site is known among the local society as Tefu Bete Kristian which means the abandoned church that is not served as a church. Attesting significant architectural motifs, it is a monolithic church carved out of single bedrock. The absence of frontal exterior rock wall characters its planning unusual. Unlike the columns in the interior nave, its exterior columns that partly surround the hypogeum lack decorative embellishments. It has a nave enclosed by a rock wall with doorways evidencing Aksumite architectural affinities. Cruciform and geometrical engravings are the dominant decorative expressions of the nave. The nave is partitioned in to aisles and sanctuaries by rows of pillars that have architrave and bosses surmounted at the mid of the arches. The easternmost part of the nave is a tripartite sanctuary that has domed roof and importable rock-hewn altars. Historically, based on the local gaze, it was a medieval church dedicated to the Cross of Jesus. Its abandonment traces back to the 16 th century conflict of the Christian Kingdom and Muslim Sultanates of Ethiopia. It is an example of neglected cultural monuments tattling the shortfalls of the country's cultural heritage management system. The hypogeum is deteriorated by combined anthropogenic and natural factors. It is still used by the local settlers for animal dwelling and stalk heaping. Flooding that enters into its sanctuary has brought a profound deterioration. This study recommends the need of an urgent protection, heritagization of the site and further investigations on the site.
Local heritage conservation practices and challenges, 2024
This study sought to assess local conservation practices and problems in the context of managemen... more This study sought to assess local conservation practices and problems in the context of management of cultural heritage in Ethiopia focusing on ancient rock-hewn churches in Lay Gayint District, Amhara Region. Interviews, questionnaires, and field observations were used to gather its data. The authors used a descriptive research strategy, combining qualitative and quantitative methods. The findings demonstrated that causes from both nature and human activity deteriorated the rock-hewn churches of Lay Gayint. The main natural elements that damaged the hypogea's architectural elements were sunlight, rain, and botanical interventions. Intentions to repair damaged features of the rock-hewn churches were initiated and managed only with the efforts of the local communities. These local efforts lacked assistance from conservation experts and hence failed to restore the lost architectural details of the rock-hewn churches. These had also posed new challenges to the preservation efforts. The primary man-made factors endangering the churches' movable sacred treasures include theft and a lack of convenient storage for antiquities. The conservation condition of the rock-hewn churches demonstrates the current precarious state of CHM in rural areas of the country, calling for scholars' and enforcement of heritage management frameworks to preserve these incredible cultural properties for future generations.
Journal Sampurasun : Interdisciplinary Studies for Cultural Heritage
Gedeo is the area where Africa’s largest megalithic stone concentration is found. This research a... more Gedeo is the area where Africa’s largest megalithic stone concentration is found. This research aims to assess the heritage management problems of megalithic sites in Gedeo Zone, Ethiopia, with a focus on the Tutu Fella and Chelba Tututi sites. Methodologically, the study employed primary and secondary sources, which were collected through a literature review, field work, and interviews with local informants. The study shows that the megalithic stones have historical, archaeological, symbolical, artistic and commemorative significances which enable the sites to be major source of tourism development in the area. However, these multifaceted collective past memories are subjected to mismanagement activities that have a negative impact on the preservation of the megalithic stones. These problems are associated with the lack of awareness among the local community about the values and the need for the management of the megalithic stones, the expansion of Christianity and the subsequent s...
This study explores the historical and architectural heritage of Wukro Medhane Alem, a least-know... more This study explores the historical and architectural heritage of Wukro Medhane Alem, a least-known monolithic rock-hewn church in South Gondar. Primary and secondary sources of the study were collected through fieldwork, interviews, and literature review. The study shows that it is one of the medieval churches traditionally attributed to King Lalibela (r. 1181-1221). The hypogeum has a rectangular plan being deeply excavated out of bedrock. There is a built-up feature added over the roof's edge of the rock-hewn church. It imitates a Gondarine architectural tradition, implying the transition from the earlier rock-hewn tradition to the building architectural orientation of the Gondarine period (1636-1769). Its hypogeum reflects an Aksumite and medieval architectural tradition. Internally, the basilica is partitioned into kine mahilet (chanting), kiddist (holy) and mekides or kiddiste kiddusan (sanctuary) rooms through the arranged rock-hewn pillars, which are refined with arches, ...
This study explores the historical and architectural heritage of Wukro Medhane Alem, a least-know... more This study explores the historical and architectural heritage of Wukro Medhane Alem, a least-known monolithic rock-hewn church in South Gondar. Primary and secondary sources of the study were collected through fieldwork, interviews, and literature review. The study shows that it is one of the medieval churches traditionally attributed to King Lalibela (r. 1181-1221). The hypogeum has a rectangular plan being deeply excavated out of bedrock. There is a built-up feature added over the roof's edge of the rock-hewn church. It imitates a Gondarine architectural tradition, implying the transition from the earlier rock-hewn tradition to the building architectural orientation of the Gondarine period (1636-1769). Its hypogeum reflects an Aksumite and medieval architectural tradition. Internally, the basilica is partitioned into kine mahilet (chanting), kiddist (holy) and mekides or kiddiste kiddusan (sanctuary) rooms through the arranged rock-hewn pillars, which are refined with arches, capitals, and entablatures that create the ceiling of the roof which is also decorated with engraved cruciform, geometrical, quadrifoliate, and crown-like protruding features. The kiddiste kiddusan has six sub-sanctuaries with doubled circular domed roofs and rectangular altars cut from the main rock. The hypogeum, thus, has such potential values to be promoted as an alternative tourist site in historic Gondar, which is mainly known to tourists for its built palaces.
Journal Sampurasun: Interdisciplinary Studiea for Cultural Heritage, 2022
Gedeo is the area where Africa's largest megalithic stone concentration is found. This research a... more Gedeo is the area where Africa's largest megalithic stone concentration is found. This research aims to assess the heritage management problems of megalithic sites in Gedeo Zone, Ethiopia, with a focus on the Tutu Fella and Chelba Tututi sites. Methodologically, the study employed primary and secondary sources, which were collected through a literature review, field work, and interviews with local informants. The study shows that the megalithic stones have historical, archaeological, symbolical, artistic and commemorative significances which enable the sites to be major source of tourism development in the area. However, these multifaceted collective past memories are subjected to mismanagement activities that have a negative impact on the preservation of the megalithic stones. These problems are associated with the lack of awareness among the local community about the values and the need for the management of the megalithic stones, the expansion of Christianity and the subsequent socio-cultural changes in the area, the mismanagement of the site's tourism activity, which is not supported by regular and legal means of collection of tourist entrance fees, the weakness of the local culture and tourism offices to employ protection activities for the sites, and the absence of continuous recording and promotion works on these features. The study also recommends the need for creating public platforms to increase the local community's awareness of the importance of the sites, continuous recording and promotion, the use of legal frameworks to support heritage management and tourism development in the sites, and recognition of the sites as national heritage.
Ethiopia is a country of great cultural antiquities. However, it is in contrary a country where i... more Ethiopia is a country of great cultural antiquities. However, it is in contrary a country where its great cultural values are declining. This study explores a long neglected rock-hewn church recently revealed in Lay Gaynt District, South Gondar. To this end, data of the study was collected through field observation and interview and interpreted qualitatively. The site is known among the local society as Tefu Bete Kristian which means the abandoned church that is not served as a church. Attesting significant architectural motifs, it is a monolithic church carved out of single bedrock. The absence of frontal exterior rock wall characters its planning unusual. Unlike the columns in the interior nave, its exterior columns that partly surround the hypogeum lack decorative embellishments. It has a nave enclosed by a rock wall with doorways evidencing Aksumite architectural affinities. Cruciform and geometrical engravings are the dominant decorative expressions of the nave. The nave is par...
Ethiopia is endowed with incredible rock-cut churches embodying great architectural, aesthetic an... more Ethiopia is endowed with incredible rock-cut churches embodying great architectural, aesthetic and artistic significance built over its past. However, these priceless cultural antiquities are frequently confronted with different threats. This study aims to explore potential threats and associated impacts evidencing with least known and threatened rock-cut churches. Several rock-cut churches are subjected to different problems such as stripping, cracking, degradation, breaking and demolition that badly affected their significant values. Different natural and anthropogenic agents are responsible for these problems. Recycling rainfall and sunlight, among others, are the major natural factors that caused deterioration or destruction of various rock-cut churches. Uninformed local intervention, one of the major anthropogenic factors, not only has failed to restore lost structural, architectural and aesthetic elements of the rock-cut churches but it also has replaced original rock-cut feat...
Ethiopian Renaissance Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2021
This paper assesses the persistent backache and intransigent ethnicization of the Ethiopian past ... more This paper assesses the persistent backache and intransigent ethnicization of the Ethiopian past and shows the role of heritagizing the past as a common heritage for unity. Formerly introduced by colonial agents, ethnicization and abusing the past was practiced since the 1960s Students' Movement. The movement against the imperial regime assumed consolidation in subsequent rise of ethno-nationalist armed fronts of the 1970s and 1980s. Thus, 1991 only marked the capture of state power by few ethno-political coalitions led by TPLF. Anachronistically, Ethiopians' interactions and coexistence, state formation process, epidemic diseases and the EOTC have been subjected for ambitious ethno-political or secessionism intrigues. The country's past is distorted and devaluated as a mythical construction. Injustices are primarily advocated, causing ethnic conflicts. However, our past is a resource that can be valorized as a shared heritage to bring better harmonious relationship and mutual development for its burgeoning population. In regard to this, Ethiopia is best placed to improve the life and unity of its people than battling over it. The empire formation process, which many ethno-nationalist writers propagate as all too-negative, cannot be seen in the "scramble for Africa" perspective. The process took three main phases. Being well flourished as a result of continuous agricultural and commercial activities and settlement process of its preceding periods, the Aksumite period took the first phase and the second continued following the shift of the Ethiopian state into Lasta and Shewa since the 10th century A.D. The rise of Emperor Tewodros II in 1855 marked the beginning of the last phase and completed under Menelik II. The foundation of Addis Ababa as the empire's center in 1886 was mainly linked with its role during the medieval period. Its cultural legacies needs valorization, the opening of Menelik's palace as "Unity Park" for tourists is a worthy instance to heritagize and communalizes the Ethiopian past.
A THESIS PRESENTED TO THE SCHOOL OF GRADUATE STUDIES OF ADDIS ABABA UNIVERSITY IN PARTIAL FULFILL... more A THESIS PRESENTED TO THE SCHOOL OF GRADUATE STUDIES OF ADDIS ABABA UNIVERSITY IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF ARTS IN ARCHAEOLOGY
Ethiopia is endowed with incredible rock-cut churches embodying great architectural, aesthetic an... more Ethiopia is endowed with incredible rock-cut churches embodying great architectural, aesthetic and artistic significance built over its past. However, these priceless cultural antiquities are frequently confronted with different threats. This study aims to explore potential threats and associated impacts evidencing with least known and threatened rock-cut churches. Several rock-cut churches are subjected to different problems such as stripping, cracking, degradation, breaking and demolition that badly affected their significant values. Different natural and anthropogenic agents are responsible for these problems. Recycling rainfall and sunlight, among others, are the major natural factors that caused deterioration or destruction of various rock-cut churches. Uninformed local intervention, one of the major anthropogenic factors, not only has failed to restore lost structural, architectural and aesthetic elements of the rock-cut churches but it also has replaced original rock-cut feat...
This study aims to introduce the history, architecture and conservational status of Nazugn Maryam... more This study aims to introduce the history, architecture and conservational status of Nazugn Maryam and Abunä Aron, two of the many rock-hewn churches found in Mäqét District, North Wällo. Nazugn Maryam is a monolithic structure believed to have been built during the 4 th century A.D. The externally sculpted vertical buttresses; the pointed, semi-circular, opened and false windows; and the horizontal supporter are among the architectural distinctions of this church. It also has an elaborated drainage system via south-westerly and north-easterly tunnels. Such features suggest continuity in the architectural tradition of the country and make Nazugn Maryam comparatively pertinent to the stylistic and engineering apogee attained in the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela. Abunä Aron, on the other hand, takes its name from an Ethiopian monk who built the church in the 14 th century. This cave church has a complex layout constituting seven divisions. Its most amazing feature is, however, the sәqurät (ስቁረት), a waterproof aperture on the roof of the chanting, which attests to the architectural excellence of the hewer. Despite the historical and architectural significance of the two churches, they remained isolated from the discussion of rock-hewn churches in the country partly due to their geographical inaccessibility. This study endeavours to fill the lacunae by identifying challenges related to anthropogenic and natural factors, as well as indicating the urgent need for conservation. It also provides information useful to promote the churches to believers, researchers and heritage management officials.
Ethiopia is a country of great cultural antiquities. However, it is in contrary a country where i... more Ethiopia is a country of great cultural antiquities. However, it is in contrary a country where its great cultural values are declining. This study explores a long neglected rock-hewn church recently revealed in Lay Gaynt District, South Gondar. To this end, data of the study was collected through field observation and interview and interpreted qualitatively. The site is known among the local society as Tefu Bete Kristian which means the abandoned church that is not served as a church. Attesting significant architectural motifs, it is a monolithic church carved out of single bedrock. The absence of frontal exterior rock wall characters its planning unusual. Unlike the columns in the interior nave, its exterior columns that partly surround the hypogeum lack decorative embellishments. It has a nave enclosed by a rock wall with doorways evidencing Aksumite architectural affinities. Cruciform and geometrical engravings are the dominant decorative expressions of the nave. The nave is partitioned in to aisles and sanctuaries by rows of pillars that have architrave and bosses surmounted at the mid of the arches. The easternmost part of the nave is a tripartite sanctuary that has domed roof and importable rock-hewn altars. Historically, based on the local gaze, it was a medieval church dedicated to the Cross of Jesus. Its abandonment traces back to the 16 th century conflict of the Christian Kingdom and Muslim Sultanates of Ethiopia. It is an example of neglected cultural monuments tattling the shortfalls of the country's cultural heritage management system. The hypogeum is deteriorated by combined anthropogenic and natural factors. It is still used by the local settlers for animal dwelling and stalk heaping. Flooding that enters into its sanctuary has brought a profound deterioration. This study recommends the need of an urgent protection, heritagization of the site and further investigations on the site.
An Action-Research paper.
Some notes on the recovery of numerous rock hewn and cave built Church... more An Action-Research paper.
Some notes on the recovery of numerous rock hewn and cave built Churches in four adjoined districts of north/central Ethiopia, Wadla, Dawnt, Meket and Gayint prompt a reflection on their global value and promotion. A set of photoes of six monuments of significance documents their recovery and their value. Suggestions for their role in local and international tourism. A first tentative proposal for their further study in order to request a UNESCO World Heritage Site list inscription.
Warszawskie Studia Teologiczne XXXIII/1/2020, 230-254, 2020
A recent survey work (Tsegaye 2014) reveals 19 rock-cut churches, including Däbrä Aron, most of w... more A recent survey work (Tsegaye 2014) reveals 19 rock-cut churches, including Däbrä Aron, most of which are in caves distributed across the rugged landscape of Mäqet. None had been so far studied or published. Däbrä Aron represents a significant Church in a group that actually covers more than 35 srock hewn and cave built Churches, often dedicated to Abune Muse, the second Patriarch of Christian Ethiopia, V century. It is a Church with distinct artistic decorations.
Journal of Heritage Management 4(1) 85–102, 2019, 2019
Ethiopia is endowed with incredible rock-cut churches embodying great architectural, aesthetic an... more Ethiopia is endowed with incredible rock-cut churches embodying great architectural, aesthetic and artistic significance built over its past. However, these priceless cultural antiquities are frequently confronted with different threats. This study aims to explore potential threats and associated impacts evidencing with the least known, and threatened rock-cut churches. Several rock-cut churches are subjected to different problems such as stripping, cracking, degradation, breaking and demolition that badly affected their significant values.
Warszawskie Studia Teologiczne XXXII/2/2019, 104-121, 2019
Addis Amba Medhanie Alem, a monastery near Filaqit, capital city of Meqet in Wello, Ethiopia is a... more Addis Amba Medhanie Alem, a monastery near Filaqit, capital city of Meqet in Wello, Ethiopia is a practically unknown rock hewn church, siege of a copy of the elusive and yet unpublished Gadle Abune Muse, the local Saint and the second Patriarch of the Ehtiopan Tewahedo Church. It presents unique art expressions and is sthe siege of a strong local cut. Deacon and Scholar Tsegaye Ebebay Demise, teacher of Archaeology at Awasa University, Ehtiopia, presents challenges faced by rock hewn and cave built churches in the area, a rich set of monumets worhty in our opinion of UNESCO listing as a World Heritage Site.
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Papers by tsegaye ebabey
Some notes on the recovery of numerous rock hewn and cave built Churches in four adjoined districts of north/central Ethiopia, Wadla, Dawnt, Meket and Gayint prompt a reflection on their global value and promotion. A set of photoes of six monuments of significance documents their recovery and their value.
Suggestions for their role in local and international tourism.
A first tentative proposal for their further study in order to request a UNESCO World Heritage Site list inscription.
None had been so far studied or published.
Däbrä Aron represents a significant Church in a group that actually covers more than 35 srock hewn and cave built Churches, often dedicated to Abune Muse, the second Patriarch of Christian Ethiopia, V century. It is a Church with distinct artistic decorations.
It presents unique art expressions and is sthe siege of a strong local cut.
Deacon and Scholar Tsegaye Ebebay Demise, teacher of Archaeology at Awasa University, Ehtiopia, presents challenges faced by rock hewn and cave built churches in the area, a rich set of monumets worhty in our opinion of UNESCO listing as a World Heritage Site.