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ይሔታሪክ: የተላከው: ኢትዮጲያውስጥየሚኖርአንድየወይዘሮ: ስሂንተማሪየነበረነው:: ታረኩከዋናዋናወቹየኢትዮጲያታሪክአንድነው::
መልካምንባብለሁላችሁ
Charting the History of Dessie
Assefa Balcha, PhD
“In my time, the follies of the town crept slowly among us, but now they travel faster than a stagecoach.” Oliver Goldsmith (1730 - 1774)
Dessie (also spelled Dese or Dessye), aged more than a hundred and ten years old, is a multi-ethnic city in north-central Ethiopia. Located on the Addis Ababa-Mekele road in South Wollo administrative Zone of the Amhara Region, this city has a latitude and longitude of 11’ 8°N 39’38°E with an elevation between 2470 and 2550 meters above sea level. According to CSA, Dessie in 2005 occupied an estimated area of 15.08 square kilometers, which gave the city a density of 11,213.79 people per square kilometer. The majority of its inhabitants belong to the two principal religions: Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity and Islam.
A View from Tossa
Dessie Prior to Its Foundation
The Dessie area, called partly as Lakomelza, is one of the earliest inhabited regions in Wollo, previously known as Bête Amhara. Moreover, Wasal, first mentioned in an early 16th century Italian itinerary and now probably lost in the debris of time, was said to be the precursor of Dessie.
In 1855 Emperor Tewodros came to Wollo to bring the region under his full control. During his expedition Tewodros had his temporary camp on the Jemmie hill, later renamed Ayteyefe. After the death of Emperor Tewodros in 1855, King Menelik seeking to incorporate Wollo into his realm campaigned against Abba Watew and Mohammed Ali (the later Negus Mikael). During his military expeditions Menelik also chose the Jemmie hills for his campsite, the same location where Tewodros had camped earlier. After securing the submission of Amede Liben and Mohamed Ali, the two prominent chiefs of Wollo, Menelik reaffirmed the governorship of Mohammed Ali over the territories stretching from Wayat to Bashilo Rivers, constituting roughly the present Wadla Delanta, Wore Himano, Borena and Wore Ilu, while Abba Watew was allowed to retain Tehuledere, a generic name that constituted Dessie and its surroundings. Until his death in 1881, Abba Watew made Azwa Gedel his administrative headquarters.
Right after his coronation Emperor Yohannes IV (r. 1872-1189) saw the growing power of Menelik in Wollo as a direct threat to his authority. In 1878, Yohannes came to Wollo and camped on the plains of Boru Meda, about 10 km from the center of Dessie. At Boru Meda Mikael baptized Amede Liben and Mohammed Ali (renamed Ras Woldemariam and Ras Mikael respectively). Since Wollo was strategically important, Ethiopian rulers traversing from north to south or vice versa often used Dessie as a stopover.
Soon after he became emperor following the death of Yohannes IV at Matemma in 1889 Menelik led his army north to deal with those who did not acknowledge his hegemony. Empress Taytu accompanied him as far as Dessie. While Emperor Menelik was in Tigray, Taytu stayed at Ayteyefe. After returning from Tigray, Menelik joined Taytu and spent a couple of months in Dessie, at which time Negus Tekle Haymanot came to Dessie to pay homage to the Emperor.
Birth of Dessie
The year 1882 was a turning point in the history of Dessie. Annexing the territories of his contender Abba Watew, who died in 1881, Ras Mikael emerged as the sole governor of Wollo. With the advice of Menelik, as some sources indicate, Ras Mikeal left Tenta (Were Himano) in favor of Kuru Amba (at Hara Wobelo) around Gerado area, a few kilometers from Dessie. After some time Ras Mikael came to Dessie and constructed his permanent residence or Ghibi at the northern tip of the Jemmie hill. Ras Mikael’s settlement at Jemmie, which amounted to Dessie’s foundation, was a fateful decision. In early 1900s Ras Mikael built his palace buildings as well as a large banquet hall that came down in history as Ayteyefe Addarash (‘A Hall of No Segregation’).
Ras Mikael’s selection of Ayteyefe in Dessie as a seat of his regional government, which amounted to the actual foundation of Dessie, was due partly to its strategic location. His settlement at Ayteyefe enabled Ras Mikael to defend himself and control the movement of his adversaries from a distance. More importantly, the Tossa mountain chains to the west and Azwa Gedel and Doro Mezleya to the east made Dessie a naturally defended town. The fortified location of Dessie had greatly eased Mikael’s security anxiety. The five main gateways: Titaber and Qurqurber- a thoroughfare to Tigray; Kutaber – a vital gate to Begemider; Girarambaber- a doorway to the southeast; and Bilen-Geradober – an alleyway to Shewa and Gojjam conferred the town enormous strategic advantages. Ras Mikael’s effort to extend his rule over the eastern low lands from his previous distant administrative center of Tenta proved problematic.
Besides the availability of a permanent source of water (constituting numerous springs and a perennial river, Borkena, which flows from its source near Boru towards the East traversing the northern part of Dessie), fire wood, and food crops within a radius of few kilometers, there was a major economic reason that persuaded Ras Mikael for choosing Dessie as his regional capital. Even if Dessie by then was not an important urban center, a major trade route passed through it. The route from Addis Ababa to Massawa, one of the many trade routes that crisscrossed the country, passed through Wore Ilu, Borumeda, Samale, Magala, Adwa, and finally Asmara. There was also a major trade route passing through Dessie to Tajura; hence, the need to control the trade routes and trade centers was the major factor in Mikael’s choice for Dessie. In effect, Dessie fulfilled what Ras Mikael was looking for. Thus, in the context of the late 19th c, Mikael’s resolve to come to Dessie demonstrated his farsightedness and personal wisdom.
After settling in Dessie, Ras Mikael founded the Segno Gebeya weekly market in the southern part of the town. After that many people came to Dessie and settled around the market. In addition to the settlement of Mikael’s followers within a short distance from the palace complex at Ayteyefe, several merchants from Awssa, Tigray, Shewa, Gojjam, Gondar, and Yejju came to Dessie and permanently settled. As a result, not only the number of traders and inhabitants increased, but also the scene of the budding town began to demonstrate tangible socio-economic changes.
The origin of the name “Dessie,” according to tradition, goes back to the early days of Emperor Tewodros II, who had made several campaigns to Wollo during his reign (1855-1868). In one of these campaigns, he is said to have camped and pitched his tent at Qetema, located between Boru and Dessie. From Qetema the Emperor moved to the Dessie area and chose Ayteyefe as his camping site. In another account, the name Dessie is related to Emperor Yohannes. Emperor Yohannes IV came to Dessie repeatedly during his reign. In one of his visits in 1883, he spent sometime on the high grounds of Dessie. Being excited by what he saw Yohannes is said to have named the place ‘Dessie,’ meaning ‘my joy.’
However, as to how the name ‘Dessie’ originated, oral accounts have reiterated its association with Tewodros II. The first version is that Tewodros, observing the happiness of his men on the selection of the site, which was endowed with beautiful scenery, named the whole area delightful or Dessie. The second version is associated with the name of the Emperor’s tent, Desta, hence Dessie, a corrupted derivation of Desta. The third version is linked to the name of a tella-selling woman living nearby. Oral tradition has it that Tewodros asked her name, who happened to be Woyzero Dessie, after whom he named the area Dessie. Be that as it may, as emperor Tewodros conducted several military campaigns in the region after 1855, this period appears to be the most likely time for the origin of the name Dessie. With regard to the naming of Sefers or neighborhoods, the following ones are worth citing.
Arab Genda: this is a name of a locality stretching from Meriho Ghibi to the bus terminal. It was resided by Arabs nationals. These Arab residents, most of whom were Yemeni, came to Dessie in search of employment during the region of Ras Mikael. It is said that Ras Mikael being impressed by their craftsmanship and business acumen gave them land to build their houses; hence the neighborhood Arab Genda or ‘Arab Quarter’ emerged.
Atari Genda: a place between Segno Gebeya and Salayish. Atari Genda literally means ‘retailers’ quarter,’ indicating the initial settlement in the area of small merchants.
Berbere Genda: the name Berbere Genda indicated the presence of Mesheta Betoch or local taverns and the recurrent disturbance and noise that accompanied them. The emergence of Berbere Genda was also related to the presence of Stegna Adariwoch (sex workers), who either owned the local taverns, or attached to or worked in them. Due to this, there were recurrent disturbances and noises as a result of which the place bore the name Berbere Genda (pepper quarter).
Dawdo: a corrupted derivation of the name of a prominent resident of the locality, Sheikh Dawd.
Gimira Sefer: A small quarter situated between Medhane Alem Atbia and Wolayta Sefer. It was named after the war captives of Lij Iyassu taken from his Gimira campaign and gave some of them to his father as a gift.
Hararge Sefer: A neighborhood of army settlers who came from Harar and stationed in Dessie following the battle of Segele.
Hotie: It is a large meadow where celebration of epiphany and military processions had taken place during Ras Mikael’s time. Some informants claim that Hotie is a corrupted form of the Amharic word ‘watte.’ The name ‘Watte’ signified the largeness of the field and its capacity to accommodate a huge number of people at a given moment, hence the name ‘Watte’, which meant literally ‘a place that can swallow so many people.’
Medhanie Alem Atebia: Following the establishment of Medehane Alem, priests and officials of the church settled around it; and this special quarter came to be known as Medhane Alem Atbia or Medhane Alem Sefer.
Mugad: Mugad literally means ‘a place of fire.’ According to informants, it was the place where the bonfire was lit during the annual celebration of Mesqel. After the end of the Italian rule the area surrounding the modern shopping center for Italian nationals (now Gumruk or Mugad market) had to become part of Arada.
Segno Gebeya: A big locality around the Segno market. Segno Gebeya is an Amharic phrase for Monday Market. Since this market was a weekly market held on Mondays, it came to be known as Segno Gebeya.
Selk Amba: named after the first telephone station located at the south of Ras Mikael’s Ghibi and it began to be called Selk Amba or ‘telephone quarter.’
Wolayita Sefer: Ras Mikael joined Menelik II in the campaign against Wolayita in 1894 and he brought to Dessie many war captives, including king Tona, the last monarch of Wolayita. The war captives, who became Mikael’s domestic slaves, were given land to settle to the northeast of the Ghibi. This special quarter (formerly known as Chercharit) grew in popularity and took the name Wolayita Sefer (renamed as Menbere Tsehay after the 1974 revolution).
Zebengna Sefer>: a living quarter between Medhane Alem and Silk Amba that was largely inhabited by the retinues of Ras Mikael.
The Municipality and Development of Urban Services
It was during Ras Imru’s governorship of Wollo that the Dessie town administration was first established in the late 1920s. Its first Ketema Shum or chief, who presided over the seven Sefer Shums, is said to have been the Italian-educated Aleqa Mekonnen. The 1942 Imperial decree listed Dessie as one of the only six “schedule A” municipalities in Ethiopia. In 1945, Dessie was put under the jurisdiction of the Municipalities Department of the Ministry of Interior. Along with the restructuring of the municipality, the Dessie city administration was divided into eight Sefers (of which six were pre- Italian) with their respective Sefer Shums (village heads). This sub-division lasted until the institution of the Kebele administration in the 1970s. All the Sefer Shums were appointed to help the municipality in matters of tax collection and maintaining peace and order.
The first modern school was founded by the Seventh Day Adventist Mission when it started its mission station in Dessie around 1928. After the liberation the school was renamed Etege (Empress) Mennen primary school. Prince Asfa Wossen, the then Governor of Wollo, established the Woyzero Sihin primary school in 1931, named after the mother of Etege Menen. After the liberation this school originally founded in the precinct of the present Negus Mikael School was transferred later to its present location and eventually upgraded to a Secondary School, the first high school in the region. In 1950, the Memhir Akale Wold Primary School, named after the renowned cleric of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, was opened.
The first clinic attached to the Italian legation was opened in 1911 in the premises of Meriho Ghibi. Dr. G.C. Bergman of White Memorial Hospital in California came to Dessie in 1925 to supervise the construction of the first Seventh Day Adventist Mission hospital, known alternatively as ‘Tafari Makonnen Hospital’ or ‘American hospital,’ which was completed in 1928. After a lapse of more than two decades, a new 50-bed hospital financed by the US government (USAID) was constructed in the 1950s to be followed by the Selassie Leprosarium at Boru Meda of the Sudan Interior Mission (SIM). The offer of the lovely site at Boru Meda was made by the Crown Prince. Moreover, one of the two provincial Desert Locust Control headquarters inside Ethiopia, which was founded in 1953, had its center in Dessie.
Part of Mugad, one of the oldest quarters
In the early 1950’s there was a 200kw power station, which was reported to be too old and later replaced by a new steam turbine plant that produced 280 kW. A new diesel-powered electric power station, costing Eth $ 110,000 with a 14km power line from Dessie to Kombolcha, was completed in 1963. The capacity of this newly-installed generator was 635 kVA. It was in 1912 that piped water was first introduced from Ras Yazew or Dawdo area to Mikael’s palace at Ayteyefe. Ras Abate was responsible for its construction.
Road transport: The Italian Giuseppe Bonaiuti, the one who had taken part in the battle of Adwa in 1896, participated in the construction of the first Dessie-Addis Ababa road from 1904 to 1908. Before the occupation the Dessie –Maychew road was completed. The Italians had also begun the construction of the Dessie-Gondar road. The three oldest bridges of the city, i.e. Borkena Bridge, Dereq Wonz/Arab Genda Bridge, and the one in front of Meriho Ghibi, were built in this period. The Italian had opened additional inner roads and upgraded most of the existing ones, some to an asphalt level.
Air transport: The airport at Kombolcha provided an invaluable service since the early 1930s and continued to offer similar services during the Italian occupation. Around 1955 Dessie had Air transport service by Ethiopian Air Lines four times a week, with airport at Kombolcha.
Telephone Service: The years between 1902 and 1904 marked the installation of telephone line between Addis Ababa and Asmara. By virtue of its location, Dessie was one of the few towns to get access to telephone services. A telephone station was opened to the south of Ras Mikael’s Ghibi at a place called Selk Amba (telephone quarter). In 1906, the Italians put up a telegraph station headed by engineer Arnaldo Piga. In 1954, there were 87 subscribed telephone numbers in Dessie, which grew to 250 in 1966. This was an important indication of the growth of the city. In 1968 Dessie was mentioned as one of four towns outside Addis Ababa and Eritrea with an automatic telephone exchange. Around 1955 a public address system was installed in the central square of Dessie (and in ten other towns), used for receiving transmission from Radio Addis Ababa and re-broadcasting it to the public.
Postal service: A post office was opened in the period between 1923 and 1929. From 1931 up to the Italian occupation the office was delivering postal services to and from Dessie by air. The Italians opened post office on 9 May 1936. Its seal read: DESSIE AMARA (Dessie Amhara), but since 1 October 1940 the town was transferred to GOVERNO dello SCIOA (Governorate of Shewa) so that it was modified to DESSIE SCIOA (Dessie Shewa). After the liberation, a new post office in Dessie was opened on 22 June 1942.