Semien Province
Semien Province (Amharic: ሰሜን, “North”) was a historical province of northwest Ethiopia, often called Gondar. It was located south and west of the Tekezé River, and north of Lake Tsana. It was south of Tigray Province, west of Tembien Province, and east of the Sudan. To some extent it covered the northern parts of the former Begemder and Wolkait now known as the Semien Gondar Zone. While its borders varied considerably over time.
Its 18th and 19th century capital was Inchetkaub,[1] other towns were Adi Arkay, Adi Remets, Dabat, Derasghie, Mesfinto, Segonet and Sekota del Semien.
The highest point was Ras Dashen in the Semien Mountains.[2]
History
A semi-legendary Jewish kingdom, the Kingdom of Semien, is said to have been centered in the region. Historically this province is associated with the Amhara people.
18th century
Since the early years of the Zemene Mesafint period, an Amhara noble named Ras Gebre ( 1771-1815 ) governed Semien for more than four decades. Inchetkaub was the capital of Semien under him and his successors. On Amba Hay was their fortress stronghold and the main residence of the family.[1][3]
19th century
Succeeding his father Gebre, Dejazmach Haile Maryam Gebre reigned for over a decade before making the way for his son dejazmach Wube Haile Maryam, who significantly expanded the territory of Semien by conquering the provinces of Tsegede, Welkait and eventually went east of the Tekeze to rule Tigray Province and modern day Eritrea.[3]
Taytu Betul, empress consort to Menelik II and niece of Wube, hailed from Semien province.
Economic history
In his early 19th century writings, traveller Henry Salt noted that coarse carpets were made in Semien, from the wool and hair of sheeps and goats. Semien was one of the major provinces for sheepherding. Semien itself was the object of insulting jokes by other provincials. Semenites were even ridiculed as soldiers whose shields were made of sheepskin.[4][5]
According to Wallis Budge 1928 publication, Semien was known for its semi-precious stones such as turquoise, carnelian, jaspers of various colors and agates.[6]
See also
References
- ^ a b Pearce, Nathaniel (2014). "II". The Life and Adventures of Nathaniel Pearce: Written by Himself, during a Residence in Abyssinia from the Years 1810–1819; Together with Mr Coffin's Account of his First Visit to Gondar. Vol. 1. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. p. 111. ISBN 9781107450516.
- ^ Budge, Ernest Alfred Thompson Wallis (1966). A history of Ethiopia, Nubia & Abyssinia. According to the hieroglyphic inscriptions of Egypt and Nubia, and the Ethiopian chronicles. London, Oosterhout: Methuen (1928), N.B. Anthropological Publications (1966). p. 126. OCLC 874381390.
- ^ a b Akyeampong, Emmanuel Kwaku; Gates, Henry Louis (2012). Dictionary of African biography vol 1-6. Oxford: Oxford University Press. pp. 180–181. ISBN 9780195382075.
- ^ Salt, Henry (1809). Voyages and travels to India, Ceylon, the Red Sea, Abyssinia, and Egypt, in the years 1802, 1803, 1804, 1805, and 1806. Vol. 3. London: Printed for William Miller, Albemarle-Street, by W. Bulmer and Co., Cleveland-Row, St. James's. p. 162. OCLC 15027465.
- ^ Rosenfeld, Chris Prouty (1986). "The background of Taytu Betul Hayle Maryam". Empress Taytu and Menilek II Ethiopia 1883-1910. Ravens Educational & Development Services. p. 28. ISBN 9780932415103.
- ^ Budge, Ernest Alfred Thompson Wallis (1966). A history of Ethiopia, Nubia & Abyssinia. According to the hieroglyphic inscriptions of Egypt and Nubia, and the Ethiopian chronicles. London, Oosterhout: Methuen (1928), N.B. Anthropological Publications (1966). p. 126. OCLC 874381390.
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