Marra Biete
Encyclopedia
Marra Biete is a former province of Ethiopia
, located inside the boundaries of the modern Semien Shewa Zone of the Amhara Region
, north of Shewa Meda.
According to Johann Ludwig Krapf
, Marra Biete lay in the northwest part of the former province of Shewa
, "between the rivers Jamma
and Wonshit
." This would place Marra Biete in the area currently occupied by the modern woreda
s of Dera
, Merhabiete, and Mida Woremo.
One of the earliest mentions of Marra Biete is in the Gadla, or hagiography
, of Saint Abba Filipos, the third abbot of the monastery of Debre Libanos
. Another medieval Ethiopian saint, Gabra Manfas Qeddus
, is also said to have visited Marra Biete. Krapf provides a sketchy outline of its later political history. He writes that Marra Biete was first ruled by one Demetrios, who was succeeded by his son Woloo, who in turn was succeeded by Dechen. It was during the reign of Dechen when Morra Biete was annexed to Shewa. Dechen's daughter, Bezabish
, was the first wife or queen of Sahle Selassie
.
Ethiopia
Ethiopia , officially known as the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. It is the second-most populous nation in Africa, with over 82 million inhabitants, and the tenth-largest by area, occupying 1,100,000 km2...
, located inside the boundaries of the modern Semien Shewa Zone of the Amhara Region
Amhara Region
Amhara is one of the nine ethnic divisions of Ethiopia, containing the homeland of the Amhara people. Previously known as Region 3, its capital is Bahir Dar....
, north of Shewa Meda.
According to Johann Ludwig Krapf
Johann Ludwig Krapf
Johann Ludwig Krapf was a German missionary in East Africa, as well as an explorer, linguist, and traveler. Krapf played an important role in exploring East Africa with Johannes Rebmann. They were the first Europeans to see Mount Kenya and Kilimanjaro...
, Marra Biete lay in the northwest part of the former province of Shewa
Shewa
Shewa is a historical region of Ethiopia, formerly an autonomous kingdom within the Ethiopian Empire...
, "between the rivers Jamma
Jamma River
The Jamma River is a river in central Ethiopia and a tributary of the Abay on its right side. It drains parts of the Semien Shewa Zones of the Amhara and Oromia Regions. The Upper Jamma flows through steep, deep canyons cut first through volcanic rock and then through the Cretaceous sandstone and...
and Wonshit
Wanchet River
Wanchet River is a river of central Ethiopia, and a tributary of the Jamma River. Along with the Adabay River, it defined the border of the former district of Marra Biete. Its crossing "Aqui afagi" is mentioned in the account of Francisco Álvares, who crossed it several times in the first quarter...
." This would place Marra Biete in the area currently occupied by the modern woreda
Woreda
Woreda is an administrative division of Ethiopia , equivalent to a district . Woredas are composed of a number of Kebele, or neighborhood associations, which are the smallest unit of local government in Ethiopia...
s of Dera
Dera, Oromia (woreda)
Dera is one of the 180 woredas in the Oromia Region of Ethiopia. Part of the Semien Shewa Zone, Dera is bordered on the south by the Jamma River which separates it from Hidabu Abote and Wara Jarso, on the west, north and east by the Amhara Region; the Abay River defines the western boundary, and...
, Merhabiete, and Mida Woremo.
One of the earliest mentions of Marra Biete is in the Gadla, or hagiography
Hagiography
Hagiography is the study of saints.From the Greek and , it refers literally to writings on the subject of such holy people, and specifically to the biographies of saints and ecclesiastical leaders. The term hagiology, the study of hagiography, is also current in English, though less common...
, of Saint Abba Filipos, the third abbot of the monastery of Debre Libanos
Debre Libanos
Debre Libanos is a monastery in Ethiopia, lying northwest of Addis Ababa in the Oromia Region. Founded in the thirteenth century by Saint Tekle Haymanot, the monastery's chief abbot, called the Ichege, was the second most powerful official in the Ethiopian Church after the Abuna.The monastery...
. Another medieval Ethiopian saint, Gabra Manfas Qeddus
Gabra Manfas Qeddus
Gabra Manfas Qeddus was an Ethiopian Christian saint, and the founder of the monastery of Zuqualla. The fifth day of every month in the Ethiopian calendar is dedicated to this saint....
, is also said to have visited Marra Biete. Krapf provides a sketchy outline of its later political history. He writes that Marra Biete was first ruled by one Demetrios, who was succeeded by his son Woloo, who in turn was succeeded by Dechen. It was during the reign of Dechen when Morra Biete was annexed to Shewa. Dechen's daughter, Bezabish
Bezabish
Woizero Bezabish Wolde was the wife of Sahle Selassie, Negus of Shewa, mother of King Haile Melekot of Shewa, and grandmother of Emperor Menelik II. She held the districts of Bulga and Yifat as her personal fiefs...
, was the first wife or queen of Sahle Selassie
Sahle Selassie
Sahle Selassie was a Meridazmach of Shewa , an important noble of Ethiopia. He was a younger son of Wossen Seged...
.