The life of Yäkolo-tämari in Gondär as Reflected in Contemporary Oral Poetry

ABSTRACT

Oral poetry is an element of the cultural heritage of Gondär in Ethiopia. It formerly was a popular way for people to convey their inner thoughts, disappointments and observations. Using this untapped oral poetry collected through interviews in the community coupled with a life history study, this article attempts to analyse the lives and activities of yäkolo-tämari in the indigenous church education system in Gondär. Oral poetry collected through interviews was thematically categorised and analysed and was corroborated by the literature survey. It is found that the life of yäkolo-tämari is full of challenges that uplifted their dedication to new heights. Compared to students of ‘modern’ education, yäkolo-tämari encounters countless problems which affected their lives and educational careers. Nevertheless, the life of yäkolo-tämari is an ideal example of what it takes to achieve a purpose in life. Despite its historic contribution as the pioneer of education and knowledge production, traditional church education is not adequately supported by stakeholders. This historic institution is now endangered, with the number of students declining over time.

KEYWORDS:

• education
• indigenous
• ‘modern’
• Gondär
• oral poetry
• yäkolo-tämari

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Notes

1 Disabled children embraced by church education are children with a significant amount of physical problems, mainly with vision and physical functioning.

2 Zẻma bẻt deals with the hymn of St. Yared and his musical notations.

3 Qinẻ bẻt deals with highly elaborated, strict and multilayered form of Geez poetry that is cryptic complex, profound and rich in allusion to religion, legend, history, law, social custom and other philosophical arts of writing and speaking.

4 Aquaquam bẻt deals with the chanting of St. Yared with its typical kind of dance and musical instruments.

5 Mätsähaf bẻt deals with the details of the Old Testament, the New Testament, Law, Governance and other philosophical books.

6 Qenẻ literally means a literature verse of high quality predominantly applied in the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church and is one dominant school where many are enrolled.

7 It is a traditional unit to measure grain. It is equivalent to twenty qunnas (grain measure appr. 100 kg.)

8 Informant: Märgẻta Solomon who had been serving in the church for long but now he is single-mindedly engaged in providing this service and has made a business out of it. He told me that he quit the church service for his colleagues were unhappy with him, as the information was circulated that he had transgressed God’s law.

9 Informant: Märgẻta Dibäkulu who was once a servant in the church but has now abandoned his church service and serving the community at home as a registered traditional physician.

10 Injära is Ethiopian traditional bread, invariably available in all people’s houses irrespective of wealth or social status.

11 Informant: Märgẻta Pẻtros

12 ibid.

13 ibid.