Although Ethiopia and Ge’ez language is two types of a coin and the language has many resources, the country has not adequately benefited from the knowledges kept for centuries in Ge’ez language, according to stakeholders who participated in the fifth annual Ge’ez Forum held recently in Mekele, recently.
The purpose of the discussion was to work on developing the language so as to extract the knowledges kept in it regarding medicine. Tigelu Beza (PHD) Lecturer at Wolkitie University told The Ethiopian Herald that Ge’ez is the ancient language and rich in variety of sources. However Ethiopia has not effectively used the potential due to various reason.
As to him, many people presume that the language is liturgical language of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church. This has hindered development of the language in the past. For example traditional medicine is not grouped under any religion but Ge’ez states how to prepare traditional medicine from various plants.
Due to failure to use the language effectively, Ethiopia spends a lot of money to import medicine. In the reverse China and India use their indigenous knowledge of traditional medication to generate income. Therefore it is important to provide education of Ge’ez language starting from elementary education in order to develop the language in a sustainable manner. On the other hand, his university was holding the fourth yearly discussion a year ago and plan to open Semitic study in the near future.
Professor kindeya Gebrehiwot, President of Mekele University said that, it is true that the home of history and Ge’ez language is the main attributes of the country during the past many years, it has some limitation in the aspect of Ge’ez language research doing, organize the resources, publishing and so on. Due to this cause, the language is restricted in Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church.
On the other hand, his university strives to expand the language through using St. Yared academician which in order to use the language effectively and gain different medicines from it. To realize this, collect Ge’ez resources, organize and published as well as doing research will be playing decisive role therewith protect common benefit and ensure sustainable development.
Bezunesh Meseret, State Minister of Ministry of Culture and Tourism said that the main purpose of the fifth Ge’ez language discussion related with medicine is studying the language appropriately and it’s growing that in order to realize the overall sustainable development of the country.
According to her, the language has manifolds significant especially before introduced modern medicine during the past many years. Currently, the Ministry is undertaking various activities to bring Ge’ez back to its past status. Among the actions is the Ge’ez annual forum held in various universities during the past five years.
Ever since the launching of Ge’ez language annual forum five years ago, Wollo University and Axum University have scored better performance in promoting the language.
Aba Daniel Assefa (PHD), from Monastery of Francescan Catholic University during the event said that, medicine means being free from any disease or health hazards. To respect this, it should be known the root cause of the problems. That is what makes studying Ge’ez language so important.
Due to different traditional medicine is collected from forests and Ge’ez language identified plants which are used to prepare for medicine, and then the language and plants are never separate. The language does not depend on preparing traditional medicine and provide spiritual aspect, rather give attention to unity, peace, and love among others, he noted.
Participants on the discussion in general, Ethiopia has not used Ge’ez language adequately, although it has many resources. And some books were collect and concealment in Orthodox Church to protect the books. While it has serious factors that researcher doing a research explicitly during the past many years. As a result some researchers said Ethiopia has only a 100 years history.
To confirm this, particularly, the 15thc and 16thc are called the Golden age of Ge’ez language which different plants are mixture and provide to medicine and people they use the language in a wide manner.
Although traditional medicine has various significances in Ethiopia, there are many limitations in promoting it. In this regard, China provides education in traditional medicine from Bachelor’s degree to Doctoral degree. The revenue China obtains from exporting traditional medicine is equivalent to the entire export revenue of Ethiopia. It shows that, Ethiopia should institutionalize Ge’ez language, make continuous research and protect environment in order to ensure sustainable development.
Zenebu Halefom, Deputy Head of Tigray Culture and Tourism Bureau said that her bureau started Ge’ez conference during the past 14 years. After taken this crucial action, Axum university started to teach Ge’ez language with more than 130 students for regular, extension and night program in the actual period.
She remembered that, during the ancient period, the language is common in government area and remove from gradually. But Ethiopian orthodox Tewahido Church collects the books and settled still now.
As to her, knowing the ancient philosophy of ancestors including engineering style and medication plays significant role for modern science students and ensure Ge’ez development. Ancestors were so responsible to next generation that they used to write their philosophy and history on the stones as there was no paper. Currently, close to 500,000 people use Ge’ez language in the church while Baher Dar and Addis Ababa Universities are giving a degree of Master (MA) in Ge’ez.
The Ethiopian Herald, June 15/2019
BY MESERET BEHAILU
