He was born on November 1821, in South Gondar, Fogera Woreda in a place customarily known as Nabega Giorgis.
He followed his religious education at his birthplace and then moved to Gojam to further it. Later, returning to Gondar, he advanced his religious education assisted by various church intellectuals. Following the knowledge manifested at his early age, he was appointed to various positions and responsibilities, and served at his birthplace and beyond.
Aleqa Gebrehanna Gebremariam (some say his father name is Desta) was known for his witticisms, mocking jokes, satiric and gold and wax speeches.
He was also one of the teachers at the church school of Saint Raguel on Mount Entoto and he was often a guest of the Emperor Menelik II and his wife Empress Taytu. His relations with these monarchs are the setting for many of the stories told about him, as various writings stated.
Aleqa though is known by many people for his witticism and satiric speeches as well as for manipulating humor so instantly, he was the famous Ethiopian priest and bale qene, (poet), teacher, grammar master, church intellectual, who put his fingerprint in the history of Ethiopian folklores.
Today, we present the folktales and jokes uttered by the Liq in different times at different contexts and published by Arefeayne Hagos, in Amharic language under the tiltle: Aleqa Gebrehanna and his mockery jokes.
Excerpt!
o One time, travelling through the valley of the Abay River with a purse full of Maria Theresa thalers, Aleqa Gebrehanna spotted a band of shiftas or bandits waiting to waylay travellers. He quickly hid his purse in a gourd containing linseed, wrapped them both in a piece of colorful imported silk, arranging them to resemble a Tabot, a replica of the Ark of the Covenant on which the Biblical Ten Commandments were inscribed on it.
Then after, he placed on his head in the traditional manner how Ethiopian priests carry tabots. Borrowing the largest cross his companions had, he passed himself as a priest. When asked to which saint the Tabot had been consecrated, the Aleqa told them Saint George, the most common saint in Ethiopia. When asked which one, without missing a beat he replied, “St. George of the linseed paste.”
The outlaws not only believed him, but escorted him to the top of the valley, explaining that the area was full of gangs of bandits. Days later they learned the truth.
o At one point while he was in Gondar, Aleqa Gebre Hanna found himself without any money. So he sent a messenger to tell Emperor Menelik II that the Aleqa was dead, and his family had no money to give him a proper Tezkar or wake. When the Empress Taytu heard this report, she went to the Emperor and wailed and berated the man until he sent money to Gondar.
o Eventually, Aleqa Gebrehanna wanted to return to Menelik’s capital. There are a number of variants of how he explained the fact he had not died to his imperial patrons. One tells that, the Emperor saw him and after recovering from the shock asked sarcastically, “How is it that the dead arise from the dead?” The Aleqa replied, with a deep bow, “Your majesty, it is not uncommon in our Christian religion to arise from the dead.” Another has him explaining, “Your majesty, I so longed to see the faces of your Majesties again that I was not at peace in the earth and had to so return.” A third gives his explanation that “they had so many rules and regulations up there [pointing to heaven] that I preferred to return and live under the rules of your Majesty.”
o One day Aleqa Gebrehanna’s wife left for a lengthy errand leaving their baby with him. Aleqa did not spend a time to miss this opportunity and decided to visit his new mistress, who had a child of about the same age, and spent the afternoon with her. However upon leaving her, he took the wrong child home with him. Before he could exchange the infants, his wife returned home and recognized the baby of her current rival. Becoming angry, she said, “This thing is not my baby! Shall I throw it in the fire?” Quite calmly Aleqa Gebrehanna replied, “There is also a fire in the house of his mother.
The Ethiopian Herald May 13/2020
BY BETELHEM BEDLU
