Hazega is a small village in Central 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...

 located in the former province of Hamasien

Hamasien

Hamasien was the name of an histoical province including and surrounding Asmara, now part of modern Eritrea. The region has been divided and distributed amongst the modern Maekel, Debub, Northern Red Sea, Gash-Barka and Anseba regions....

. It is 13 miles (20 km) north-west from the capital city, Asmara

Asmara

Asmara is the capital city and largest settlement in Eritrea, home to a population of around 579,000 people...

, and 35 miles (56 km) south-east of Keren

Keren, Eritrea

Keren is the second largest city in Eritrea. It is situated about 91 kilometers northwest of Asmara. The town serves as the capital of the Anseba region, and is home to the Bilen ethnic group.-History:...

. It is an entirely Christian

Christianity

Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...

 village inhabited by the Tigrinya speaking people of 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...

. The village is twinned with its larger counterpart, Tsazega

Tsazega

Tsazega is a village in Central Eritrea located in the former province of Hamasien. It is 5.6 miles north-west from the capital city, Asmara. It is an entirely Christian village inhabited by the Tigrinya speaking people of Eritrea...

.

In the village there are two churches, one Catholic

Roman Catholic Church

The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...

, one Orthodox.

19th Century

During the second half of the 19th century, the powerful cheifs of Tsazega

Tsazega

Tsazega is a village in Central Eritrea located in the former province of Hamasien. It is 5.6 miles north-west from the capital city, Asmara. It is an entirely Christian village inhabited by the Tigrinya speaking people of Eritrea...

 ruled Asmara and its environs. Bahri Negasi Gurade Zeray administered Asmara on behalf of the powerful warlord, Degiat Hailu Tewolde-Medhin of Tsazega, while his rival Woldemichael Solomon

Ras Woldemikael Selomon

Ras Woldemikael Selomon of Hazega was the last sovereign of Mereb Milash . He repulsed the Mahdists at the end of the 19th century in Akordat. When he feared a strong offensive from the Mahdists and the Italians, he travelled to Tigray and met with Ras Alula who was in his support...

, represented the opposing power of the Hazega clan. In their quest to control Asmara, the economic and political hub of the highlands, the two clan cheifs fought two bitter battles. During the first clash which occured at Debre Mekaan (around what is today Biet Anbessa) in the northern suburb of Acria, Woldemichael's army suffered a humiliating defeat and was forced to retreat to areas in the northeastern escarpment. Though Degiat Hailu was victorious, his viceroy in Asmara, the Bahri Negasi, was killed in battle.

The vanquished Woldemichael quickly reorganised his forces and marched on Asmara to confront Degiat Hailu. The two forces clashed at Mai Bela and fought a fierce battle. This time Woldemichael's troops killed Degiat Hailu and annihilated his army. After the rout, Woldemichael never stayed in Asmara. Instead he returned to his home village, Hazega and established it as the political and economic centre of highland Eritrea, which had, for a short time, a negative influence on the development of Asmara.

Notable Residents

Ras Woldemikael Selomon

Ras Woldemikael Selomon

Ras Woldemikael Selomon of Hazega was the last sovereign of Mereb Milash . He repulsed the Mahdists at the end of the 19th century in Akordat. When he feared a strong offensive from the Mahdists and the Italians, he travelled to Tigray and met with Ras Alula who was in his support...

, 19th century Eritrean Nobleman

Zerai Deres

Zerai Deres

Zerai Deres died in 1937 in Rome, Italy, in public opposition to the rise of fascist power in Italy and her African colonies. His death is considered part of the movement against Italian occupation...

, Eritrean/Ethiopian martyr