Volume 4, Number 2

King Committed Literature in Ethiopia: The Position of King Zara YAQOB in the Development
of Ethiopian Literature

  Authors

Dawit Girma, Debre Birhan University, Ethiopia

  Abstract

The general purpose of the study is surveying literary development in the period of King Zara Yaqob, and specifically pays focus on the personal efforts and contributions of the King himself in the growth of literature in his reign. The paper again explores the Medieval Age Ethiopian literature which is, due to the period’s flourished literature, termed as “the Golden Age” of Ethiopian literature. It was also intended to endorse whether these texts are qualify in literary features. Almost nil researches are conducted on Zara Yaqob and his literary contribution, this fact is taken as inspirational point to do the study. Qualitative research method is applied, for the study is done on a text. The Emperor has collected men of letter and scholars in the court yard and highly encouraged them to have a huge engagement in literary activities. These scholars, like Abba Giorgis of Gassecca, wrote numerous books which are religious but have great literary value and qualities. The King has written more than ten books; most of them have religious thematic preoccupation but also have secular subjects. These are: Matsehafä-Berhan; Matsehafä-Milad; Egziabher-Nagsä; Sebhatä-Fequr; Matsehafä-Sellassie; Matsehafä-Bahrey; Tä’aqebo-Mestir; TomaräTesebe’it; Kehedatä-Säytan; Darsanä-Malaekt; Ra’eyä-Ta’amer; Melke’a-Gubae, and Mangadä-Samay. These texts are investigated out in content and literary value. In addition, he has produced hymns which are prepared in poetic form, and the lines are rhymed as rhyme is the most familiar element of poetry; the hymns are constructed in end rhyme. In his hymns, figurative speeches especially simile and metaphor are well applied. The researcher has long realized potential value of the literary productions in the period of Zara Yaqob as source for the study of Ethiopian literature and history. The works are important to study social, economic, historical, religious, and the political history of Ethiopia in addition to their literary values.

  Keywords

King Zara Yaqob, Homily, Hymn, `Golden Age`, Ethiopic Literatures