Video Lesson

Lesson Objectives

After learning this lesson, you will able to:

• identify the continuities and changes witnessed from the period of Aksum;
• make a list of the achievements of the period;
• appreciate the architectural advancements of the period;
• develop a sense of pride in the achievements of the ancestors.

Brainstorming Questions

• What do know about the idea of establishing the second Jerusalem in Ethiopia?
• Whose project was this? What motivated him to embark on this project?

Key Terms and Concepts

The Zagwe Dynasty

Mera Tekle Haymanot, born in the province of Lasta in the mid-12th century, initially served as a general under Dil Na’od, the final king of the Aksumite dynasty. He strengthened his position by marrying Masobe Worq, Dil Na’od’s daughter. Subsequently, Mera Tekle Haymanot seized power from his father-in-law, establishing the Zagwe dynasty around 1050. This new ruling family, known for its capital at Lalibela, governed Ethiopia until 1270. The Zagwe period is notable for its cultural and architectural achievements, particularly the construction of the famous rock-hewn churches at Lalibela, which remain UNESCO World Heritage sites and symbols of Ethiopia’s medieval Christian heritage.

The Zagwe Dynasty established its capital in Adafa near Roha (modern-day Lalibela), situated in the district of Bugna within Wag and Lasta. From there, the Zagwe kingdom expanded its territory, encompassing most of the highland provinces of the ancient Aksumite kingdom to the north, extending down to northern Shewa in the south, and including the Lake Tana region and parts of present-day Gojjam in the west. The Agaw people, who formed the core of the Zagwe rulers, preserved many Aksumite traditions. Under the Zagwe rule, Ethiopia renewed cultural and trade connections with the eastern Mediterranean. The kingdom exported ivory, spices, and slaves, while importing cotton, linen, silver, copper vessels, and newly minted coins. This period marked a significant cultural and economic resurgence for Ethiopia under the Zagwe dynasty.

During the Zagwe period, significant achievements in art and architecture marked their rule. They were notable for translating religious texts from Arabic to Ge’ez and fostering a flourishing tradition of painting. However, their most enduring legacy lies in architecture, particularly the construction of cave, semi-hewn, and monolithic churches. Bete Giyorgis, a cross-shaped church at Lalibela, exemplifies their exceptional architectural prowess. These churches, carved directly into the rock, are celebrated as some of the finest structures in the Christian world and were recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1978. The Zagwe era saw advancements in the techniques of rock-hewn construction, utilizing sandstone that allowed for intricate detailing and decoration in their churches.

Decline: The Zagwe kings, particularly Lalibela, faced challenges when Muslim Arab control over the Red Sea and North Africa hindered Ethiopian Christian pilgrimages to Jerusalem. To resolve this, Lalibela initiated the establishment of a symbolic “second Jerusalem” in Ethiopia. However, internal strife over royal succession and opposition from groups claiming Aksumite lineage eventually led to the downfall of the Zagwe Dynasty. According to legend, descendants of King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba asserted that the Zagwe rulers were illegitimate usurpers. Yekuno-Amlak, claiming descent from the last Aksumite king, Dilna’od, rallied support from influential church figures like Abune Teklehaymanot and defeated the Zagwe king Yetbarek in battle at Gaynt in 1270. Yekuno-Amlak thus ended the Zagwe period and restored the Solomonic dynasty to power.