Tsazega
Encyclopedia
Tsazega
is a village in Central Eritrea located in the former province of Hamasien
. It is 5.6 miles (9 km) north-west from the capital city, Asmara
. It is an entirely Christian village inhabited by the Tigrinya speaking people of Eritrea. The village is twinned with its smaller counterpart, Hazega
.
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
, 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.
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...
is a village in Central Eritrea 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 5.6 miles (9 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...
. It is an entirely Christian village inhabited by the Tigrinya speaking people of Eritrea. The village is twinned with its smaller counterpart, Hazega
Hazega
Hazega is a small village in Central Eritrea located in the former province of Hamasien. It is 13 miles north-west from the capital city, Asmara, and 35 miles south-east of Keren. It is an entirely Christian village inhabited by the Tigrinya speaking people of Eritrea...
.
19th Century
During the second half of the 19th century, the powerful cheifs of TsazegaTsazega
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.