Mekelle: 25 April 2024 (Tigray Herald)
By Yerga Yaecobe
The historical fact about Tigray national territorial boundary.
” let’s delve into the historical context of the territorial borders between Tigray and the current Amhara region, focusing on the areas you mentioned: Metema, Debarke, Ras Dashen, Ras Dejen, and the Alewuha Driver
Metema:
Metema, located in the western part of Tigray, has been a point of contention between Tigray and the Amhara region. Historically, this area might have been considered part of Tigray’s territory due to its proximity and historical connections. However, over time, administrative boundaries and regional divisions have shifted, leading to disputes over jurisdiction.
Debarke and Ras Dashen:
Debarke and Ras Dashen, situated in the northwest region of Tigray, have significant historical significance. Ras Dashen is the highest peak in Ethiopia and is located in the Semien Mountains, which have been inhabited by various ethnic groups throughout history. While these areas might have been traditionally associated with Tigray, the boundaries have been subject to change due to historical events, administrative decisions, and territorial disputes.
Alewuha River:
The Alewuha River, flowing through the southern part of Tigray, has served as a natural boundary and has historical significance. It has likely played a role in demarcating territories between different regions or ethnic groups. However, like other border areas, disputes over jurisdiction and historical claims may arise due to shifting political landscapes and administrative changes over time.
Historical Context:
Tigray is indeed one of the oldest civilizations in the Horn of Africa, with a rich history and cultural heritage. Throughout history, the region has experienced various changes in territorial boundaries, influenced by factors such as migrations, conquests, and political developments. The historical evidence from maps dating back to the 16th, 19th, and 20th centuries can provide insights into the territorial extent of Tigray and its interactions with neighboring regions.
Handtke’s Map: Previously Unseen 19th Century Map of Tigray
ANALYSIS of the Horn of Africa
Introduction: Handtke’s Map, a previously unseen 19th-century map of Tigray, provides valuable insights into the historical territorial borders of the region. This analysis aims to comprehensively examine the historical context of Tigray’s borders with the current Amhara region, focusing on Western Tigray, Northwest Tigray, and the Southern Tigray region. Through an exploration of supporting evidence from maps dating back to the 16th, 19th, and 20th centuries, this document seeks to elucidate the historical, natural, and legal boundaries between Tigray and the Amhara region.
Historical Territorial Borders:
1. Western Tigray and Northwest Tigray: Handtke’s Map depicts Western Tigray and Northwest Tigray as integral parts of the historical territory of Tigray. This assertion is supported by historical evidence from various maps, including traverses of the Horn of Africa. Debarke, Ras Dashen, and Ras Dejen, located in Northwest Tigray, have long been associated with Tigray’s historical boundaries. The presence of these landmarks underscores the historical significance of Tigray’s territorial extent in the region.
2. Southern Tigray Region: The Alewuha River, flowing through the Southern Tigray region, has served as a natural boundary, demarcating territories between Tigray and neighboring regions. Historical maps corroborate the presence of the Alewuha River as a defining feature of Tigray’s southern borders. This natural boundary has played a crucial role in shaping the historical, natural, and legal boundaries between Tigray and the Amhara region.
Pre-Ethiopian Federal Constitutional Borders: Prior to the establishment of the current Ethiopian federal constitutional borders, the inclusion of Western Tigray, Northwest Tigray, and the Southern Tigray region within the Amhara region was not anticipated. The historical evidence presented in Handtke’s Map and other historical maps reaffirms Tigray’s historical claims to these territories. The disputed territories between the current Amhara region and Tigray, namely Metema in the west, Debarke, and Ras Dashen in the northwest, and the Alewuha River in the south, underscore the complexity of border disputes and the importance of historical context in resolving them.
The. Handtke’s Map provides a valuable resource for understanding the historical territorial borders of Tigray and its relationship with the current Amhara region. Through a comprehensive analysis of historical maps and supporting evidence, this document highlights the historical, natural, and legal boundaries between Tigray and the Amhara region. It underscores the significance of historical context in delineating territorial claims and resolving border disputes in the Horn of Africa. As one of the oldest civilizations in the region, Tigray’s historical arguments serve as a crucial foundation for addressing contemporary territorial issues and promoting peaceful coexistence among diverse ethnic and regional identities in Ethiopia.
Conclusion:
The historical arguments regarding the territorial borders between Tigray and the current Amhara region are complex and multifaceted. While certain areas such as Metema, Debarke, Ras Dashen, and the Alewuha River may have historical connections to Tigray, administrative changes and disputes have led to ambiguity and disagreements over jurisdiction. Understanding the historical context is essential in addressing these issues and finding equitable solutions that respect the cultural, historical, and political identities of the regions involved.
This document serves as a strategic professional analysis aimed at providing insights into the historical territorial borders of Tigray and its implications for contemporary geopolitical dynamics in the Horn of Africa.
there are many historical reference’s map of Tigray territorial borders.
Other Relevant Maps and Resources:
There are other sources that also show that Tigray was a lot bigger than (some times four times) what it is today. A book by Manoel Barradas: Tractatus Tres Historico-Geographici (1634). A Seventeenth Century Historical and Geographical Account of Tigray, Ethiopia shows the extent of Tigray in the 17th century. Professor Ghelawdewos Araia has summarized.
A screenshot of a page from Manoel Barradas’ book explaining the extent of Tigray: “From North to south, that is from the limits of the Amacens (Hammasiens) to Enderta”.
Another book, A VOYAGE TO ABYSSINIA by Jerome Lobo (1887), seems to include the Semien Mountains as part of a Tigrayan territory.
Indeed I never saw snow in Abyssinia, except on Mount Semen in the kingdom of Tigre, very remote from the Nile, and on Namera, which is indeed not far distant, but where there never falls snow sufficient to wet the foot of the mountain when it is melted.
