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Eritrea is rich in cultural heritages. Despite an intentional destruction such places faced during the successive colonial powers and that of Ethiopia particularly, they remained to be an important asset for the cultural development of the country. Although much work is expected to make those historical heritages a source of tourist attraction sites and symbol of identity, many Eritreans are still strongly attached to them. Some of such places are the different monasteries in the country.
“Debre Bizen, which is one of the national heritages from the 14th century contributed not only to the preservation and development of irreplaceable Christian art and culture, but played crucial roles in religious teachings and training of the community, and offered its support to the needy and disadvantaged.” (Proceedings of a workshop on Aspects of Eritrean History)
The various monasteries in the country have different interesting features that make them attractive to visit. Debre Bizen, for example, was founded in 1368 by Abune Philipos along with his 16 followers. He named the mountain Bizen which means Mizan or standard scale.
Abune Philipos established the monastic community based on the principle of ‘Prayer and Work.’ He brought orphans and poor people from different directions of the country and he issued an egalitarian rule that governs equally irrespective of age and status. The law of the monastery is made up of 54 articles. Although most of the monasteries in the country are home of nuns and monks, Debre Bizen denies making contact and use of any property or food prepared by women even nuns from the outside. Females are not allowed to go up from the foot of the mountain towards the monastery. Use of female donkey and mule, items made by females except pot and plate, eating food prepared by females…are not allowed by the law.
The monastery which is located in about 2,500 meters above sea level is 25 kilometers east of Asmara. Every year, on August, many male pilgrims from different parts of the country climb the mountain to celebrate the annual pilgrimage of the monastery. A man who visited the place for thirty consecutive years, Mr. Tewelde Araya, said that it is fascinating and attractive to visit. “The way the monks live is interesting. There is equality, humanity, sharing and love among them. People should visit the place in order to learn respect,” he said.
To keep the community united under the command of the prior, Abemniet, Abune Philipos introduced additional regulations that opposed individualism. The penalty systems for those who violate the rule compel one to bow for thousands and confess. Especially, for cases related to theft and usurer, the penalty is more severe, subjects to prison in the field for three nights and bow down 3000 times. Abune Philipos was known as the only who used the Apostolic regulations based on the unity and equality in the Abyssinian territory.
During the Italian colonial period, the Italian government issued an Act of royal decree on January 1893 with mandatory provision ascertaining lands belonging to the state. Hence, the land of Bizen turned into the state in 1894. The monks had been deprived of most of their lands in return for a sum of money, which didn’t satisfy them. The Italian government destroyed the forest in the land belonging to the monastery and the income gained from the land went to the treasury of the colonial government. Bizen, like any other monastery in the country, was compelled to get 30 francs per month instead of the concession. As a result, its social status was seriously damaged and civil laws were introduced over the inhabitants of the territory.
During the Haileselassie’s regime, Debre Bizen served as a base for the Eritrean freedom fighters and as a result suffered from greater damage. In 1966, the Ethiopian army burned the farm villages with all their plants of coffee, orange, banana, maize, pepper, killed 40 cattle and prevented from leasing farmland.
The Derg’e regime was the worst government the monastery saw. The monastery was left without possession from 1974 to 1991. The frontline was in its vicinity and the number of soldiers increased by 1990. A state of emergency was declared on the movement of the monks, a number of them were killed, and electric poles were removed and were used for trenches. On August 31, 1981, the Derg’e regime took more than 300,000 Birr and detained 13 monks.
Debre Bizen is the main center of Eritrean Orthodox Church. It produces a number of popes and a patriarch for the Orthodox Church of Eritrea. The uniqueness and historical importance of the monastery lies on managerial system. It is governed by egalitarian rule in which it administers both the students and the Ascetics equally on their ration and clothes. There are no privileged members and there is no privately owned property. The monastery owns two guesthouses and visitors can stay and entertain for seven days with free supply of food and shelter.
Its geographical location is also another important feature. It possesses two rainfall seasons and being on the top of the mountain remains protected and calm. The size of its community, territory and infrastructure makes it different from other monasteries in Eritrea. Ancient books and other heritages are kept secure. The books are large in size and include those written in Arabic which were brought from Egypt. The monastery also owns its own calendar known as Metshafe Hrgrg. The museum in the monastery contains beautifully made ecclesiastical robes, ancient illuminated manuscripts with birana, made of sheep skin, and fine bindings, exquisite hand made curved and hand painted ceremonial crosses…
Concerning economic income the monastery depends on its own resources. Agriculture covers 95% of its food supply.
In a nutshell, Debre Bizen is the only monastery in Eritrea that was not destroyed during the 16th century war of Ahmed Gragn. It managed to preserve its collections, relics and art works. In order the place to remain a national heritage different restoration measures should be taken soon. Commenting on this, Aron Andemichael said:
“Today the monastery is getting older and needs rehabilitation. ……because of lack of proper store and maintenance, its artistic works are damaged too. This national heritage which is testimony of the Eritrean genius and cultural achievements of the past will soon become un-restorable if measures are not taken urgently to preserve them either through national effort or with the support of the UNESCO and concerned international community.”
Source: PROCEEDINGS OF A WORKSHOP ON ASPECTS OF ERITREAN HISTORY, Hdri Publishers, Asmara 2007
© Copyright 2001-2007 Shaebia.org
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