Field and river

20th International Conference of Ethiopian Studies (ICES20)
Mekelle University, Ethiopia

"Regional and Global Ethiopia - Interconnections and Identities"
1-5 October, 2018

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RIVER ABBAY IN THE EYE OF ETHIOPIAN ORTHODOX TEWAHIDO CHURCH QENE [Abstract ID: 1211-16]

MULUKEN Andualem, Bahir Dar University in Humanity'faculity, Ethiopia
TILAHUN Bejitoal, Bahir Dar University in Humanity'faculity, Ethiopia

This article describes the place of river Abbay in the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church‘s highest ecclesial teaching order, the qene poetry. Abbay has captured not only the imagination of the educated but also the imagination of headers, farmers, soldiers, and swimmers of all societies living along the river. Since time immemorial, great civilizations have flourished along rivers and water bodies. The life and habit of humans is strongly attached to water. This is true to rural Ethiopia where most people still are strongly attached to rivers. Ethiopia as a land of Christianity uses rivers and water bodies for religious celebrations such as for baptism. Small streams are used for baptism in rural Ethiopia and these rivers make up Abbay. For this reason, Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church music and qene experts rejoice Abbay. The qenes are produced as human interact with the reviver. Using explanatory methods, this research aims to explain and analyze and explore the place of Abbay in the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church qene. It is hoped that this will shed light not only on Ethiopia’s political and religious life but also the social and political consciousness in Sudan and Egypt.