Aleqa Tayye G. Maryam: Trials and Tribulations

Abstract

leqa Tayye Gebre Maryam was one of the few Ethiopian intellectuals of the early twentieth century. His long stay with the Swedish Evangelical missionaries at Menkullu near Massawa and his sojourn in Germany for several years seemed to have prompted him to critically look into the teachings of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. But he soon became a victim of religious intolerance. He was accused of being Tsere Maryam (enemy of Mary) and thrown to jail. Although little is known about Aleqa Tayye’s reformist ideas, he had urged emperor Menilek to issue a national currency, set up a printing press, open a modern school, and ban the use of scornful language against craftsmen. Eventhough most of his works remained unpublished, Aleqa Tayye was also a prolific writer. After his death, some of his manuscripts were acquired by Blattengeta Hiruy Wolde Sellase who published them as his own works.

Using the scanty available literature, this paper attempts to investigate the life of Aleqa Taye Gebre Maryam.