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(Video: Ge'ez: Life
of a dead language)
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Video Source: Tsega Tekle Haimanot FB Post ~ 01/30/2019
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THE ANCIENT LANGUAGE OF GE'EZ
It is to be remembered that following the collapse of the Tower of Babylon
people had begun to speak different tongues and to use different alphabets. That
had marked the creation of nations, tribes and clans with conflicting tongues. At
first the Ge’ez language was no different from Sabean. Inscriptions preserved on
rocks and monuments proved this beyond any grain of doubt. The Ge’ez language
was originally spoken by the generation belonging to the grandchild of Abraham,
Yacob, and had entered Ethiopia through the port of Babel-el-Mandeb. Ge’ez is a
Semitic language.
The word Ge’ez means ‘Original’. This originality refers to the combination of
consonants with the vowels. It’s originality as the first language alludes to the
fact that following the destruction of Babylon, it was the most important Semitic
tongue spoken first by Adam. It is to be recalled that the Semites were inter-
marrying with the Cushitic people and had succeeded in inheriting their
kingdom under the name of the Agazians. The country they had conquered
through a process of cultural and ethnic assimilation had begun to be known as
the Nation of Agziit. This had witnessed the progressive flowering of Ge’ez until
the 12th century when it eventually assumed a national status.
It was in the 12th century that Amharic began to appear for the first time.
However, to that day, Amharic has not been a working language in palaces and
churches. It was only the language of a particular nationality that was serving as
a lingua franca.
For instance, prayers were not being said in churches in Amharic. Neither were
praises being sung to God in that language. Church liturgies were not going on in
Amharic. Secondly, the administration was not being carried out in Amharic;
neither was justice being dispensed in this language. The history of kings was not
being recorded in Amharic.
Therefore, all the relics of antiquity in the form of books and works of art
belonging to the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church found either here or
abroad are all written in the Ge’ez language.
Today, Ge’ez assumes the character of the private property of the Ethiopian
Orthodox Tewahedo Church. The Old Testament, the New Testament and
scholarly works were all first translated into Ge’ez. This ancient language
provides also the medium for addressing prayers and praises to God.
It is common knowledge that Ge’ez is known as an ancient language in Ethiopia
both in palaces and in public places it had served as a medium of communication.
People had been also recording their temporal and spiritual values through the
intermediary of this ancient language for centuries on end. The Ethiopian
Orthodox Tewahedo Church is a living testimony of this immutable fact of life.
Scholars both in and out of Ethiopia testify also to the truth behind this
statement.
Fundamentally speaking, Ge’ez is a language with its own particular
characteristics capable of conveying different messages with one word alone.
There are many people who aspire to carry out meticulous research into ancient
Ethiopian history. Such a healthy aspiration can only be fully realized when one
is well versed in the Ge’ez language. As the heritage of every Ethiopian, Ge’ez is
and should be a source of great pride for generations to come.
Source: Tsega Tekle Haimanot FB Post ~ 30 October 2017
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In defense of Geez, our sacred and holy language - we should make it a vernacular
There are many members of our community who complain about Geez, our
ancient lingua franca, which for a thousand years had lost ground to Amharic as
the main vernacular but continues to be the official language of liturgy for
Tewahido church. The complainers believe using a language intelligible to most
has shrouded and stunted our faith and should be phased out and replaced with
more convenient vernacular the majority understands. But surprisingly our
church continues to thrive in this day and age almost unchanged for over one and
a half millennium. This is a testament and a vote of confidence of the use of this
invaluable language in our country.
Geez is the foundation of our religion and religious culture and represents the
authentic and original language that has been used and has been reverberating
in our churches for centuries. It was the language used by our ancient founders of
our church which is the oldest in the world in establishing its roots in our
country. Thus Geez over time has been vested with a solemnity and dignity that
the vernaculars lack. Consequently, the training of clergy in the use of Geez is an
important cultural investment, and their use of Geez gives them access to a body
of knowledge that has stood the test of time. Geez has withstood the ravages of
Jihadists like Mohammed Gragn who during his Christian holocaust had vowed
its total extermination. Western missionaries from Catholics to Protestants have
preached its incompetence as a liturgical language and need replacement by a
convenient language. But Geez has withstood all these assaults.
Geez is our gem! The jewel of our crown. The survivor against all odds. It is a
testament to our tenacity and fortitude which silently permeates our lives in
unseen ways. We have no time to waste anymore and should learn this intricate
and beautiful language back to life as one of our vernaculars. Let us make it the
language of the cultivated and give the clergy a run for their money
Source: Abebe Haregewoin ~ FB Post ~ 26 Aug 2019
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Amharic has been the working language of the Solomonic Kingdom in Ethiopia,
government, the military, and the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church
throughout medieval and modern times. Amharic is the language of His Imperial
Majesty's Kingdom. **Chart of Amharic fidel**
Source: Haile Iyesus FB Post ~ 24 September 2015
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Amharinya QwanQwa is the official language of Ethiopia. The Amharinya Feedel
are the characters which represent the sounds which comprise each word.
Amharinya and its sister language Tigarinya, are both derived from the oldest
language on earth. Ge'ez is the parent language of Amharinya. Ge'ez is usually
referred to as the language of God; the language of Adam; bird language; and
baby language. Amharinya is the Emperor's language.
The key to learning the Emperor's language is the Feedel. Order your Feedel
Chart by email Abunaamharic@gmail.com. Then join me for free Amharic classes
on fb live from 5pm to 7pm on Thursday 29 March 2018.
There is absolutely no reason why Rastafari Sons and Daughters should not
Study to Know this very beautiful and powerful language of our's. Hail HIM in His
glory and splendor!
Source: Ras Abuna FB Post ~ 20 March 2018
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**Chart of Amharic fidel**
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As we are introduced to various cultural experiences we have the propensity to
integrate a portion of the culture to which we are exposed. Cultural experiences
lead to the same beginning as the source from which it comes.
Enlightenment!
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Nothing is hidden from God's view!...
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