X-Nico

9 unusual facts about Tigray province


Architecture of Ethiopia

Throughout the medieval period, and especially from the 10th to 12th centuries, churches were hewn out of rock throughout Ethiopia, especially during the northernmost region of Tigray, which was the heart of the Aksumite Empire.

Stelae (hawilts) and later entire churches were carved out of single blocks of rock, emulated later at Lalibela and throughout Tigray, especially during the early-mid medieval period (c. 10th and 11th centuries in Tigray, mainly 12th century around Lalibela).

Dinqinesh Mercha

Through the old aristocratic families of Tembien and Enderta districts of Tigray, Empress Dinginesh could trace her lineage to the Solomonic dynasty through at least two female links.

Jan Amora

The place name Jan Amora appears in the Futuh al-Habasha and in an 18th century legal text, but it is unclear if they refer to the place that became this woreda; Richard Pankhurst believes that this "Jan Amora" was located in Tigray.

Jerónimo Lobo

After a month spent crossing the desert into the Ethiopian highlands, the party reached Fremona, where Lobo assumed the responsibilities of superintendent of the missions in Tigray.

Karl Wilhelm Isenberg

In 18341835, he joined the mission station at Adowa, Ethiopia where they stayed till 1838; however, Gobat was compelled to quit the mission from ill-health at Tigre, also spelt Tigray.

As Kugler died in Tigre in 1830, his place was supplied by Isenberg as a CMS recruit.

Kebra Nagast

His brother, Apollinare, also went out to the country as a missionary and was, along with his two companions, stoned to death in Tigray.

Meles Zenawi

Meles was born in Adwa, Tigray, in northern Ethiopia, to an Ethiopian father Zenawi Asres from Adwa and Alemash Guebreluel from Adi Quala, Eritrea.


1983–85 famine in Ethiopia

Five Ethiopian provinces—Gojjam, Eritrea, Hararghe, Tigray, and Wollo—all received record low rainfalls in the mid-1980s.

Abune Paulos

Patriarch Abune Paulos was born in Adwa in Tigray Province; his birth name was Gebre Medhin Wolde Yohannes.

Australian Freedom From Hunger Campaign

Projects undertaken by AFFHC have included appeals for India (1966), East Timor (1975), Kampuchea (1981) and famine relief appeals for Ethiopia, Tigray and Eritrea (1985).

Baeda Maryam I

Cholera (or some other pestilence) broke out among his men, depressing him further, resulting in his withdrawal to Tigray.

Dobe'a

Cholera (or some other pestilence) broke out among his men, depressing him further, resulting in his withdrawal to Tigray.

They were first described, during the reign of Emperor Ba'eda Maryam (r. 1468-1478), as inhabiting the region between Enderta (in Tigray province) and Lake Ashenge (Today in Tigray Region, formerly part of the Amhara province of Wollo), neighboring the Afars of the vassal Dankali Sultanate on the east.

Ethiopian Jews in Israel

Most Beta Israel came from Tigray and Wolqayt, regions that were controlled by the TPLF which often escorted them to the Sudanese border.

Hormuzd Rassam

After being delayed for about a year in Massawa, Rassam at last received permission from the Emperor to enter his realm, but due to rebellions in Tigray was forced to follow a circuitous route taking him to Kassala, then to Metemma, along the western shore of Lake Tana to finally meet with Emperor Tewodros in northern Gojjam.

Mangasha Seyum

(Leul) (Ras) Mangasha Seyum was born in 1926 in Dengolat, a village in Enderta county, part of Tigray province of Ethiopia .

Wossen Seged

After he assumed control of Shewa, he joined in an alliance with Ras Wolde Selassie of Tigray to invade the territories of Ras Gugsa of Yejju.


see also