Tämben History and Culture: From Music and Folk Art Perspective
Tämben History and Culture: From Music and Folk Art Perspective
Gebrekidan Gebresilassie Eshetu
Grmay Hailu Lilay
Tämben (Tembien), a labialization form of Tänben, is a place in the Tigray Region of Ethiopia, known for its rich cultural heritage, long and colorful historical significance, art and artisanship, music, and religious practices. Tämben has a proud history of heroism and is the birthplace of many heroes and heroines, kings and queens of Tigray, Ethiopia, and Africa at large, including the first black African general, General Raesi Alula Aba-nega; the kings of Ethiopia, emperor Yohannes IV; “Queen of Sheba (Arabic Bilqīs, Ethiopian Makeda)”; and many kings that are descendant of Tämben, including “Kawo Tona Gaga”, the king of the Kingdom of Wolaita and many others. Tämben was traditionally vital as it has always been a historical conjuncture among Tigray, Wagḫimra, Qimant, and the Sämien Mountain ranges through Tekeze. As topographically suitable for rock-hewn churches, the sacred landscape of Tämben incorporates over twenty-eight rock-hewn churches and is endowed with monastic life and hagiographic tradition. The Oral tradition in the area narrates Tämben priests are descendants of the Levites of Israel. The Monastery of Abba Sälama I, the first Aksumite bishop and other rock-hewn churches, holy water areas, historical places, and the birthplace of contemporary noblemen made Tämben important even during the early modern and modern period. The historical exposure and jampacked cultural dialect continuum of the Semitic and Cushitic landscape rendered the spot a home of multicultural activities: oral tradition, material culture, social performing arts, traditional beliefs, games, and folk music and dancing. Among others, Tämben is the origin of various indigenous and unique traditions, customs, music, and dancing such as Awuris, Guadayä-guada, Astalile, etc., whose unique melodies, rhythms, and beat reflect the cultural identity and history of Tämben and the Tigray region at large. They symbolize the philosophy of equality, democracy, justice, freedom, and other essential societal values. Ashenda, also celebrated by its name in Enderta and under different names such as Solel in Rayya, Mariya in Eastern Tigray, and Shadey in Wagḥǝmra (Agaw), is one of the most decorated and uniquely performed cultures of Tembien. Ashenda is celebrated throughout Tämben for an extended period of time, running from mid-August to mid-September. It is celebrated along with the unique music and dancing cultures including Awuris, Guadaye-guada, and Astalie, from August 22 (Filseta) to September 26 (Meskel) every year. This work presents the Tämben history and culture from the perspective of traditional music and art patterns – focusing on Ashenda, Awuris, Guadayä-guada, and Astalile. It includes their historical evolution, significance, and contribution to Tigray and, thus, Ethiopia’s history, socioeconomic and political aspects, etc.