Enderta Province

Enderta province or Inderta province, administratively known as the Enderta Awraja and locally called 70 Enderta (seb-aa Enderta as it is pronounced in Tigrinya) is located in the eastern edge of the Ethiopian highlands. Enderta is bordered on the west by Tembien, on the southeast by Wag of Gondar, the south by Raya and Azebo, on the east by Afar and Aseb, and on the north by Kilete Awla'elo, Agame and Adwa. The Book of Aksum written and compiled probably before the eighteenth century shows a traditional schematic map of northern Ethiopia which is Tigre; the map which has the city of Aksum at its center indicates Enderta as one of the 13th principal provinces of Tigre/Tigray: “Tembien, Shire, Sarawe, Hamasen, Bur, Sam’a, Agame, Amba Senayt, Garalta, Enderta, Saharti and Abergale”.

Capital

Hintalo (also known as Antalo) had originally been Enderta’s capital city; it is located on a high plateau beneath the south face of Amba Aradam, making the town a natural fortress. It would remain for centuries as one of the most important cities in the empire of Abyssinia; However, when Emperor Yohannes IV began to locating his capital for at Mek'ele, the political and social life for both the Tigray province as well as Enderta moved from Hintalo to Mek'ele instead.

History

After the fall of the Axumite empire some time in the late 7th century A.D, the ruling house of Tigray was moved to Inderta. After some three hundred years later however, the solomonic dynasty had been restored fully and with it, the northern Tigrayan province of Inderta/Enderta had been increasingly asserting its independence under Emperor Yekuno Amlak in 1270. In his 1316/7 campaigns in the south, Emperor Amda Seyon had to turn north to strengthen his control over areas that had in the meanwhile gained more autonomy. During Yekuno Amlak's time, the governor of Inderta was Ingida Igzi who was succeeded by his son, Tesfane Igzi. As governor of Inderta, Tesfane Igzi' had the most power among the northern provinces and held the title Hasgwa and Aqabé Tsentsen ('keeper of the fly whisks - an ancient Aksumite title) and threatened the Amhara-based lineage currently in power. As early as 1305, Tesfane Igzi' referred to Inderta as "his kingdom," his son and successor, Ya'ibika Igzi, did not even mention the Emperor Amda Seyon in his 1318/9 land grant.

Kebra Nagast or the book of the glory of Kings

The Kebra Nagast (var. Kebra Negast, Ge'ez ,ክብረ ነገሥት, kəbrä nägäst), or the Book of the Glory of Kings, is an account written in Ge'ez of the origins of the Solomonic line of the Emperors of Ethiopia. The book was written and compiled by a group of Abysinian clerics at the command of the goveronor of Inderta Ya'ibika Igzi whose ancestary ruled over Tigray and where the the ruling house of Tigray/Tigre was based. The text, in its existing form, is at least seven hundred years old, and is considered by many Ethiopian Christians and Rastafarians to be an inspired and a reliable account. Not only does it contain an account of how the Queen of Sheba met Solomon, and about how the Ark of the Covenant came to Ethiopia with Menelik I, but contains an account of the conversion of the Ethiopians from the worship of the sun, moon, and stars to that of the "Lord God of Israel". As Edward Ullendorff explained in the 1967 Schweich Lectures, "The Kebra Nagast is not merely a literary work, but -- as the Old Testament to the Hebrews or the Qur'an to the Arabs -- it is the repository of Ethiopian national and religious feelings. It is The foremost creation of Ethiopic literature, its title means "Glory of the Kings." Based on the testimony of this colophon, "Conti Rossini, Littmann, and Cerulli, inter alios, have marked off the period 1314 to 1321-1322 for the composition of the book.

Zemene Mesafint or Era of princess

By the Zemene Mesafint, or Era of Princes (1769-1855), the province of Enderta assumed great prominence when its nobility ascended to power. The beginning of this period is set to the date Ras Mikael Sehul killed Emperor Iyoas (7 May 1769), an act which shocked the Empire's subjects, who believed it unthinkable to consider killing an Emperor anointed by God let alone killing him. Ras Suhul Michael after he was badly defeated by the Amhara chiefs and Oromo lords however, was chained in Gondar and let go to his native Tigre after being stripped off his Enderasieship (Prime minister); he returned to Tigre in disgrace. Up on hearing Michael’s predicament, Dejazmach Kefla Yossous of Enderta who was temporarily administering Tigre during the absence of Suhul Michael, challenged Michael for the governorship of Tigre; but Kefla Yossous was defeated and was killed barbarously by Suhul Michael; Kefla Yossous was mutilated and left to die.

Wolde Selassie the second son of Dejazmatch Kefla Yessous was a young man, his brothers included Dejazmatch Bilaten-Geta Mennase and Dejazmatch Debbab who is the great grand father of Emperor Yohannes IV throgh his son Dejazmatch Dimtsu Debbab who fathered Yohannese's mother Amate sellasie Dimtsu. Born in 1745 in Antalo Enderta, Wolde Sellasie rose to prominence. He emerged as a heroic warrior after years of fighting; Nathaniel Pearce who lived with Ras Wolde Selasie for many years, describes an encounter where Wolde Selassie made a name for himself by single-handedly slaying the brothers Abel and Cail, "two of Ras Michael's choice men". Ras Mikael Sehul was so impressed at Wolde Sellasie’s bravery that he offered him the governorship of Enderta. However, Wolde Selassie remembered how the older man (Suhul Michael) had his father killed, and spent the years until the old Ras died in exile amongst the Wallo Oromo and in Gojjam. Up on the death of Michael however, his grand son Wolde Gabriel succeeded the governorship, but was soon fiercely challenged by Kefla Yossous’ son Wolde sellassie. Immediately, the two men went to war; Wolde Gabriel attempted to crush Wolde Sellasie in Wajerat, but according to Pearce, after besieging Wolde Selassie for 20 days Wolde Gabriel came off the worse and quickly made peace with Wolde Sellasie by proclaiming him Balgadda or governor of the salt-making districts, but Wolde Selassie was aiming for the highest office in the land and when Wolde Gabriel was killed in a battle he waged against Ras Aligaz of Yejju, Wolde Selassie went after another powerful war lord of Tigray by the name of Gerazmach Gebra Meskel.

The two fought on many battles but Gerazmach Gebra Meskel was on the losing side; this prompted Wolde Selassie to head for Gondar to claim the governorship of Enderta. When he petitioned the Emperor Tekle Giorgis for that office, the Emperor however, gave the position to Gerazmach Gebra Meskel instead; this angered Wolde Selassie, and he soon quickly marched forth with a small army against Gebra Meskel. He defeated his troops, then entered Gebremeskel’s camp and took him prisoner. Wolde Sellassie, after effectively cleared the way for the highest office for himself, headed back to Gondar and placed his claim to the throne. In spite of the combined forces of the chiefs of Amhara, the two Emperors, Tekle Haymanot and Tekle Giyorgis bestowed Wolde Selassie the titles of both Ras and Bitwoded of the Abyssinian empire in 1790.

The family of Dejazmach Kefla Yessous and Wolde Sellasie were of distinguished origin, and came from Antalo, in Enderta, of which place they were chiefs. Ras Wolde Selassie was known to be one of the bravest princes in the records of Abyssinia after engaging successfully in more than forty battles and rising to the level of Betwoded Enderase while a governor of all provinces as well as the major districts of Tigray, Tigre and Hamassien between 1790 and 1816. He was distinguished more for his intrepidity and firmness than by the politics and policy with which he had uniformly governed Abyssinia as Enderassie during the reign of Emperors Tekle Haymanot II, Tekle Giyorgis I and Egwale Seyon. His wives included Mentwab (died in 1812 from smallpox), the sister of Emperor Egwale Seyon; and Sahin, the daughter of Emperor Tekle Giyorgis.

The first years of the 19th century were disturbed by fierce campaigns between Ras Gugsa of Begemder, and Ras Wolde Selassie of Tigray, who fought over control of the figurehead Emperor Egwale Seyon. Wolde Selassie was eventually the victor, and practically ruled the whole country till his death in 1816. For 25 years, Ras Wolde Selassie was known to have had wielded the most power during his tenure as Ras exceeding formidable rases such as Ras Aligaz of Yejju, Ras Gugsa of Gojam and the Oromo chieftan Gojje; and through out his vast districts, all kinds of crimes, grievances, rebellions, disputes and inheritage were directly referred to him and most wars were carried by him self in person. At the effort of Ras Wolde Selassie, Abyssinia received its bishop from Egypt at around 1816: Abuna Qerellos III (1816-1828) who made his residence in Antalo. Henry Salt who was one of the three British diplomats who visited Abyssinia both in 1805 and in 1810 was hosted by Ras Wolde Selassie at his residence in Antalo; he writes, "Ras Wolde Sellasie ruled Abyssinia with firmness and a vigor of constitution that united the different ethnic groups of Abyssinia. When ever I have seen him in the exercise of his power, he has shown a vivacity of expression, a quickness comprehension, and a sort of commanding energy, that overawed all who approached him". Another British envoy by the name of Parkyns adds, "Wolde Sellasie reigned for twenty-five years, and during this long period obtained and maintained for him self the character of a good and wise prince". The Great Ras Wolde Selassie died at an advanced age in 1816 at his residence in Antalo, Enderta due to natural causes. His death was universally mourned.

The end of Zemene Mesafint

With rise of Kassa Hailu of Quara known as Emperor Tewodros II of Ethiopia came the end of Zemene Mesafint. Originally little more than a bandit or an out law,surviving in the Ethiopian marches against the Sudan, Kassa won his way to control of first one province of Ethiopia, Dembiya, then following a series of battles beginning with Gur Amba (27 September 1852) and ending with Battle of Derasge (1855), came to control all of Ethiopia. With imperial power once again in the hand of a single man, Tewodros, the Zemene Mesafint had seized to exist, and the beginning of a centralized authority had commenced.

The Woyane Rebellion of 1943 in southern Tigray

In an Imperial determination to weaken the power of the regional nobles and elites of Ethiopia, the Haile Selassie government in 1941 introduces a new regional administration. The law or edict provides for fourteen provinces (Teklay gizat), around 100 counties (Awrajas), and 600 districts (Woredas). Therefore, curbing the power of the hundreds of nobles and their provinces through out the Empire. This then enabled Haile Sellasie to centralize his authority and in effect rendered these nobles with their administrations dependent to the central government. Historians agree that "the basic policy of Haile Sellasie was a centralizing one continuing the tradition of the great centralizing Emperors from 1855 onwards."The provision reduced the many provinces of Tigray into eight counties: Raya, Azebo, Enderta, Tembien, Kilete Awla’lo, Adowa, Axum and Shire along with many districts under each of the counties’ jurisdictions. After the liberation of Ethiopia from Italian occupation in 1941, Ethiopia saw many rebellions spread out in different parts of the empire. Among these rebellions however, the "Woyane Rebellion" in southern and eastern Tigray in 1943 had become a powerful and highly popular uprising that, with in few months it had shaken the government of Haile Sellasie to its core and as a consequence, the Imperial government resorted in using aerial bombardment by collaborating with the British Royal Air Force so as to quell the rebellion. The woyane uprising in Tigray seems to have arisen when administrative corruption and greed ignited a situation of existing instability and insecurity, one awash with weaponry in the wake of the Italian defeat.

The rebellion starting from the awrajas of Enderta and Raya and spreading quickly through the different districts of southern and eastern Tigray, is accelerated to the provincial capital city of Mekelle in just five months. During the outset of the rebellion, the governor of Tigray, Ras Seyoum Mengesha was suspected of collaborating with the rebels who were mostly peasants and as a consequence Ras Seyoum was called to Addis Ababa and replaced by Fitawrari Kifle Dadi and Dejazmatch Fikre Selassie Ketema as well as General Tedla Mekeonen and General Isayas Gebre Selassie as army commanders. The highly equipped government forces were to meet with the poorly equipped but determined rebels' for the first time in the rebel’s strong hold district of Didiba Dergiajen, Enderta in the village of Sergien. The rebels defeated the government forces decisively and the victory gave them confidence to continue the rebellion; they captured countless modern weapons that helped them attract many peasants to join the rebellion; and many government soldiers deserted and joined the rebellion. In the month of September 1943, on the government’s second offensive in the village of Ara, also in Enderta, located in the district of Dediba Dergiajen, the rebels scored yet a second victory over the heavily armed government forces; this time however, the rebels captured high level feudal chiefs and killed many prominent Tigray and Amhara war lords that sided with the Emperor Haile selassie’s government. A similar victory was achieved by the rebel again in the district of Wajerat, Enderta; the rebels defeated the heavily armed government forces that set out from Endayesous Mekelle; though the rebels won, they suffered a heavy loss. They were however, able to capture and acquire yet again heavy modern armaments. Soon after, the war is spread to Alaje in Raya, Wukro in Agame and Tembien where by the rebels mostly peasants were able to capture the capital Mekelle after beating the huge government forces equipped with tanks and modern weapons led by Ras Abebe Aregai, General Abebe Damtew and aided by British Col. Pluck. The total annihilation of government forces heavily supported by the British army sent a signal to the Emperor, that “the Tigrians weren’t only brave fighters but also astute strategist” said one of the rebels, Blata Hailemariam Reda. Countless British officers were killed including Col. Pluck who was killed by a Woyane rebel. The inability to subdue the rebellion prompted the Emperor to authorize an aerial bombardment by collaborating with the British royal air force. On October 6 and 14 1943, 14 bombs and 54 bombs were dropped in the provincial capital Mekelle respectively; on October 7 and 9th also, 16 bombs and 32 bombs were dropped in Corbetta and Hintalo, Enderta respectively as well, though they were devastating mainly to civilians with thousands of people killed, they did not however, crush the rebellion. The punishment for the uprising severe as it may be with the aerial bombardment, the people were obliged to pay large sums of money and their land was confiscated and distributed to loyal gentry as a punishment and deterrent to future revolt. A new taxation was imposed that ‘cost the peasants five times more than they had under the Italians during the occupation’ although the rebellion had short comings as a prototype revolution, historians however agree that, the Woyane rebellion had involved a fairly high level of spontaneity and peasant initiative It demonstrated considerable popular participation, and reflected widely shared grievances. The uprising was unequivocally and specifically directed against the central amhara regime of Haile Selassie I, rather than the Tigrian imperial elite.

Local legend

70 elders are elected from each districts of 70-Enderta to serve as mediaters and peace makers among the inhabitants of the many districts (woredas)in case of rivalries, uprising and disputetes that might arise with in Enderta (Erqi Enderta, as it is still called in Tigray). These 70 elders were also bestowed provincial authority by the governor of the province to legaly represent Enderta and its people in a provincial level with neighboring districts, counties and provinces. This is a form of old age democratic process through which elected and assigned elders are representing their consituency in social, political, and governmental affairs with in the empire of Ethiopia. The county's name is preserved as the name of a modern woreda.

Woredas

Enderta is made up of more than 10 Woredas or districts, including:

• Enderta – Meqele
• Dedeba Dergajen - Kwiha
• Gabat melash – Hentalo
• Wenberta – Maimekden
• Degua Slowa – Dala
• Saharti – Gijet
• GereAlta – TsigeReda
• Waereb – Samre
• Wajerat – Debub
• Denkel – Shekhet