Afevork Ghevre Jesus
Encyclopedia
Āfeworq Gebre Īyesūs was an Ethiopia
n writer, who wrote the first novel in Amharic
, Libb Wolled Tarik ("A Heart-born Story"). Bahru Zewde writes, "Few people before or after him have demonstrated such superb mastery of the Amharic language. Few have ventured with such ingenuity into the hidden recesses of that language to come out with a wealth of vocabulary and idiom one scarcely thought the language possessed. Afeworq is nonetheless a controversial figure for having supported the Italians
during both the First
and Second Italo-Abyssinian War
s.
. He received a traditional education from the church of Ura Kidana Mehrat under the direction of his grandfather Manher Denqe, whom Bahru Zewde describes as "a noted scholar." He also practiced painting in the traditional Ethiopian style.
Afeworq was also related to the Empress Taytu Betul
, and it apparently was through her that he was introduced to Emperor Menelik II's court sometime after 1880. It was there he came to the attention of the Italian diplomat Count Pietro Antonelli, who was impressed with his artistic abilities and enabled him to study in Italy. Afeworq left for Italy September 1887, was admitted to the International Institute in Milan
, where he attended classes in painting at the Albertina Academy of Fine Arts. During his studies in Milan he was called to be the official interpreter for the Ethiopian delegation headed by then Dejazmach Makonnen Wolde Mikael. Afeworq later claimed that it was he who pointed out the infamous discrepancy between the Amharic and Italian
versions of article XVII of the Treaty of Wuchale
.
He returned to Ethiopia, arriving in Addis Ababa
11 July 1890, at a time when his Italian connections only made the Empress disfavor him. Afeworq's relationship with Taytu only worsened, so he was relieved when he was asked in September 1894 to escort two men to Neuchatel in Switzerland where they had been enrolled at the International School. By this time Afeqorq had also married the daughter of Alfred Ilg
by an Ethiopian wife. It was while in Switzerland that Afeworq first sided with Italy over his homeland, crossing over to Italy with his two charges and putting all three at the service of the Italian authorities. The Italians quickly sent them to the war front; they arrived at Massawa
6 January 1896, but despite Italian plans and intentions nothing of consequence came of this misadventure, and the three men were at Asmara
when the Italians were defeated at Adwa
Afeworq returned to Italy, and the next 16 years, as Bahru Zewde states, witnessed "some of the most important literary and intellectual accomplishments of his career. These included a work on Amharic grammar, an Italian-Amharic conversation manual, the satirical Guide du voyageur, and the novel Libb Wolled Tarik. He also worked with the Italian Ethiopicist Francesco Gallina at this time.
In 1912, Afeworq moved to Eritrea
where he established an import-export business. On the death of Emperor Menelik, he attempted to ingratiate himself with his successor, Emperor Iyasu V
, by writing poems lauding the young man; when Iyasu was deposed in a coup four years later, writes Bahru Zewde, "With the amazing dexterity for volte-face that was to be the hallmark of his career and character, Afäwärq composed an equally condemnatory poem on Iyyasu." This latter tactic apparently succeeded in reconciling him with the new authorities, for in 1917 or 1918 he was back in Addis Ababa. By 1922 he had become the Nagadras of Dire Dawa
in 1922, then between 1925 and 1930 Afaworq served as president of the special court that heard cases involving foreigners and Ethiopians. He was appointed charge d'affairs in Rome for the Ethiopian government, a position which Bahru Zewde notes that, due to "his known predilection for the Italians and his record of treason" might not have made him the best candidate for this position, but Bahru goes on to quote the American representative in Ethiopia, Addison E. Southard, who observed Haile Selassie wanted "to get rid of Afawork locally who has the reputation for being an obstreperous and fire-eating old gentleman with potentialities for stirring ... trouble." Regardless of his deeper allegiances, Afawork found himself in a difficult situation, being forced to rely on the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
to send his telegrams home.
He returned to Ethiopia shortly before the beginning of the Second Italo-Abyssinian War, but upon the Italian forces entering Addis Ababa he acquiesced to their rule, christening 5 May 1936 as the beginning of the "Era of Mercy" for Ethiopia. Despite his loyalty to the Italian cause, in the backlash that followed the attempt on Graziani's life
he was arrested and deported to Italy. He was not allowed to return to Ethiopia until 1938, after which he served usefully enough to be made Afa Qesar ("Mouthpiece of the Caesar") 9 May 1939. However, upon Haile Selassie's return to Ethiopia, Afaworq was arrested by the restored Ethiopian government, tried for treason, and sentenced to death -- a sentence subsequently commuted to life imprisonment. He was exiled to Jimma
where Afaworq, by then blind, died.
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...
n writer, who wrote the first novel in Amharic
Amharic language
Amharic is a Semitic language spoken in Ethiopia. It is the second most-spoken Semitic language in the world, after Arabic, and the official working language of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. Thus, it has official status and is used nationwide. Amharic is also the official or working...
, Libb Wolled Tarik ("A Heart-born Story"). Bahru Zewde writes, "Few people before or after him have demonstrated such superb mastery of the Amharic language. Few have ventured with such ingenuity into the hidden recesses of that language to come out with a wealth of vocabulary and idiom one scarcely thought the language possessed. Afeworq is nonetheless a controversial figure for having supported the Italians
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
during both the First
First Italo-Abyssinian War
The First Italo-Ethiopian War was fought between Italy and Ethiopia from 1895 to 1896. Ethiopia's military victory over Italy secured it the distinction of being the only African nation to successfully resist European colonialism with a decisive show of force.-Background:On March 25, 1889, the...
and Second Italo-Abyssinian War
Second Italo-Abyssinian War
The Second Italo–Abyssinian War was a colonial war that started in October 1935 and ended in May 1936. The war was fought between the armed forces of the Kingdom of Italy and the armed forces of the Ethiopian Empire...
s.
Life
Afeworq was born in Zegé on the southern shore of Lake TanaLake Tana
Lake Tana is the source of the Blue Nile and is the largest lake in Ethiopia...
. He received a traditional education from the church of Ura Kidana Mehrat under the direction of his grandfather Manher Denqe, whom Bahru Zewde describes as "a noted scholar." He also practiced painting in the traditional Ethiopian style.
Afeworq was also related to the Empress Taytu Betul
Taytu Betul
thumb|Taytu BetulTaytu Betul was an Empress of the Ethiopian Empire and the wife of Emperor Menelek II.-Biography:...
, and it apparently was through her that he was introduced to Emperor Menelik II's court sometime after 1880. It was there he came to the attention of the Italian diplomat Count Pietro Antonelli, who was impressed with his artistic abilities and enabled him to study in Italy. Afeworq left for Italy September 1887, was admitted to the International Institute in Milan
Milan
Milan is the second-largest city in Italy and the capital city of the region of Lombardy and of the province of Milan. The city proper has a population of about 1.3 million, while its urban area, roughly coinciding with its administrative province and the bordering Province of Monza and Brianza ,...
, where he attended classes in painting at the Albertina Academy of Fine Arts. During his studies in Milan he was called to be the official interpreter for the Ethiopian delegation headed by then Dejazmach Makonnen Wolde Mikael. Afeworq later claimed that it was he who pointed out the infamous discrepancy between the Amharic and Italian
Italian language
Italian is a Romance language spoken mainly in Europe: Italy, Switzerland, San Marino, Vatican City, by minorities in Malta, Monaco, Croatia, Slovenia, France, Libya, Eritrea, and Somalia, and by immigrant communities in the Americas and Australia...
versions of article XVII of the Treaty of Wuchale
Treaty of Wuchale
Treaty of Wuchale was a treaty signed by King Menelik II of Shewa, later the Emperor of Ethiopia with Count Pietro Antonelli of Italy in the town of Wuchale, Ethiopia, on 2 May 1889...
.
He returned to Ethiopia, arriving in Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa is the capital city of Ethiopia...
11 July 1890, at a time when his Italian connections only made the Empress disfavor him. Afeworq's relationship with Taytu only worsened, so he was relieved when he was asked in September 1894 to escort two men to Neuchatel in Switzerland where they had been enrolled at the International School. By this time Afeqorq had also married the daughter of Alfred Ilg
Alfred Ilg
Alfred Ilg was a Swiss engineer and a confident to Ethiopian Emperor Menelik II. He was born in Frauenfeld, Switzerland.- Life :...
by an Ethiopian wife. It was while in Switzerland that Afeworq first sided with Italy over his homeland, crossing over to Italy with his two charges and putting all three at the service of the Italian authorities. The Italians quickly sent them to the war front; they arrived at Massawa
Massawa
Massawa, also known as Mitsiwa Massawa, also known as Mitsiwa Massawa, also known as Mitsiwa (Ge'ez ምጽዋዕ , formerly ባጽዕ is a city on the Red Sea coast of Eritrea. An important port for many centuries, it was ruled by a succession of polities, including the Axumite Empire, the Umayyad Caliphate,...
6 January 1896, but despite Italian plans and intentions nothing of consequence came of this misadventure, and the three men were at Asmara
Asmara
Asmara is the capital city and largest settlement in Eritrea, home to a population of around 579,000 people...
when the Italians were defeated at Adwa
Battle of Adowa
The Battle of Adwa was fought on 1 March 1896 between Ethiopia and Italy near the town of Adwa, Ethiopia, in Tigray...
Afeworq returned to Italy, and the next 16 years, as Bahru Zewde states, witnessed "some of the most important literary and intellectual accomplishments of his career. These included a work on Amharic grammar, an Italian-Amharic conversation manual, the satirical Guide du voyageur, and the novel Libb Wolled Tarik. He also worked with the Italian Ethiopicist Francesco Gallina at this time.
In 1912, Afeworq moved to Eritrea
Eritrea
Eritrea , officially the State of Eritrea, is a country in the Horn of Africa. Eritrea derives it's name from the Greek word Erethria, meaning 'red land'. The capital is Asmara. It is bordered by Sudan in the west, Ethiopia in the south, and Djibouti in the southeast...
where he established an import-export business. On the death of Emperor Menelik, he attempted to ingratiate himself with his successor, Emperor Iyasu V
Iyasu V of Ethiopia
Iyasu V , also known as Lij Iyasu was the designated but uncrowned Emperor of Ethiopia . His baptismal name was Kifle Yaqob...
, by writing poems lauding the young man; when Iyasu was deposed in a coup four years later, writes Bahru Zewde, "With the amazing dexterity for volte-face that was to be the hallmark of his career and character, Afäwärq composed an equally condemnatory poem on Iyyasu." This latter tactic apparently succeeded in reconciling him with the new authorities, for in 1917 or 1918 he was back in Addis Ababa. By 1922 he had become the Nagadras of Dire Dawa
Dire Dawa
Dire Dawa is one of two chartered cities in Ethiopia . This chartered city is divided administratively into two woredas, the city proper and the non-urban woreda of Gurgura....
in 1922, then between 1925 and 1930 Afaworq served as president of the special court that heard cases involving foreigners and Ethiopians. He was appointed charge d'affairs in Rome for the Ethiopian government, a position which Bahru Zewde notes that, due to "his known predilection for the Italians and his record of treason" might not have made him the best candidate for this position, but Bahru goes on to quote the American representative in Ethiopia, Addison E. Southard, who observed Haile Selassie wanted "to get rid of Afawork locally who has the reputation for being an obstreperous and fire-eating old gentleman with potentialities for stirring ... trouble." Regardless of his deeper allegiances, Afawork found himself in a difficult situation, being forced to rely on the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Italy)
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is the foreign ministry of the government of the Republic of Italy. It is also known as the Farnesina as a metonym from its headquarters, the Palazzo della Farnesina in Rome...
to send his telegrams home.
He returned to Ethiopia shortly before the beginning of the Second Italo-Abyssinian War, but upon the Italian forces entering Addis Ababa he acquiesced to their rule, christening 5 May 1936 as the beginning of the "Era of Mercy" for Ethiopia. Despite his loyalty to the Italian cause, in the backlash that followed the attempt on Graziani's life
Yekatit 12
Yekatit 12 is a date in the Ethiopian calendar, equivalent to 19 February in the Gregorian calendar, which is commonly used to refer to the indiscriminate massacre and imprisonment of Ethiopians by elements of the Italian occupation forces following an attempted assassination of Viceroy Rodolfo...
he was arrested and deported to Italy. He was not allowed to return to Ethiopia until 1938, after which he served usefully enough to be made Afa Qesar ("Mouthpiece of the Caesar") 9 May 1939. However, upon Haile Selassie's return to Ethiopia, Afaworq was arrested by the restored Ethiopian government, tried for treason, and sentenced to death -- a sentence subsequently commuted to life imprisonment. He was exiled to Jimma
Jimma
Jimma, also Jima, is the largest city in southwestern Ethiopia. Located in the Jimma Zone of the Oromia Region, it has a latitude and longitude of . The town was the capital of Kaffa Province until the province was dissolved. Prior to the 2007 census, Jimma was reorganized administratively as a...
where Afaworq, by then blind, died.
Writings
- ልብ ፡ ወለድ ፡ ታሪክ ። (Libb Wolled Tārīk) [A Heart-Born Story]. Rome 1908.
- ዳግማዊ ፡ ምኒልክ ፡ ንጉሠ ፡ ነገሥት ፡ ዘኢትዮጵያ ። (Dāgmāwī Minīlik Nigūse Negest ze-'Ītyōṗyā) [Menelek II, King of Kings of Ethiopia]. Rome 1909; second edition, Dire Dawa 1919.
Linguistics
- Manuale di conversazione italiano-amarico con la pronuncia figurata. Rome 1905.
- Grammatica della lingua amarica. Metodo practico per l'insegnamento. Rome 1905.
- Guide du voyageur en Abyssinie. Rome 1911.
- Il verbo amarico. Rome 1911.
Further readings
- Bahru Zewde (1994), review article of Alain Rouad 1991 (see below), in: The International Journal of African Historical Studies 27/1, pp. 224-226.
- Luigi Fusella (1951), "Il Lebb wallad tarik", in: Rassegna di studi etiopici 10, pp. 56-70.
- Luigi Fusella (1961-1963), "Il Dagmawi Menilek di Afawarq Gabra Iyasus", in: Rassegna di studi etiopici 17, pp. 11-44; 19, pp. 119-149.
- Luigi Fusella (1984), "Le premier romancier Ethiopien", in: Luigi Fusella, Salvatore Tedeschi & Joseph Tubiana (eds.), Trois essais sur la littérature éthiopienne. Paris.
- Alain Rouaud (1982), "Pour une bibliographie des oeuvres d'Afä Wärq Gäbrä Iyäsus", in: Bulletin des études africaines 2-3, pp. 123-136.
- Alain Rouaud (1991), Afä-Wärq, un intellectuel éthiopien témoin de son temps 1868-1947. Paris. ISBN 2-222-04513-4.
- Yonas Admassu (2003), "Afäwärq Gäbrä Iyäsus", in: Siegbert Uhlig et al. (eds.), Encyclopaedia Aethiopica, Wiesbaden: Otto Harrassowitz, vol. 1 (A-C), pp. 122b-124a.