The Zagwe Dynasty in the Context of Their Lineage, Hagiography (Gadl) and Priesthood

Abstract

According to Kebra Nagast, which is the subject of the Ethiopian national legend, the Zagwe Dynasty seized the throne of Israel by violating God's law and created an interim period between the Aksum Kingdom and the Solomon Dynasty. In these conditions, where the legitimacy of the throne completely preceded the lineage, ancestral stories also emerged for the Zagwe Dynasty lineage. As a matter of fact, there are stories among the people that add to the narrative of Kebra Nagast, that they too are descendants of King Solomon. However, there is a rumor in Arabic sources that the Zagwe Dynasty was descended from Moses and Aaron, and beyond that, the Negus of that period were defined as priest. Looking at the members of the Zagwe Dynasty, it is seen that they have a close relationship with religion, supporting the rumors. Yemrehana Kristos is called "Kıssis King" as reminiscent of Presbyter John, and Harbay, Lalibela and Nakuto Laab, who follow him, are among the saints of the Ethiopian church. In our study, it has been tried to analyze the discourses about the lineage of the Zagwe Dynasty and their religious figures. It has been seen in the sources that a story similar to the union of Solomon-Makeda is told about Moses and a woman from Kush. According to this, the prophet Moses came to Ethiopia and married a woman from Kush. However, the lineage of the prophet Moses is not related to the Zagwe Dynasty. At this point, the mention of Moses, Harun and Tabot together in the source where the genealogical discourse takes place reveals the possibility of this being inspired by the 248 th verse of Surat al-Baqara. Because in this verse, Tabot is presented as a sign of sovereignty and there are remains of Al-i Musa and Al-i Harun in it. Therefore, we have expressed that this discourse may be a modeling effort made to legitimize the dynasty as a style frequently used in this period. The information we have about the Zagwe Dynasty does not give precise information about the number of kings, when they came to power, and how they were destroyed. However, looking at the Gadls that were written after this dynasty, even during an anti-Zagwe government, it is seen that they were canonized, Although they are usurperors. At this point, it has been argued in our study that one of the most important factors in their acceptance as saints is their position in the face of political and religious authority and conditions in Egypt. As a matter of fact, these kings, who conducted rites in the church, tried to make the Ethiopian Church independent and tried to build the "New Zion" by carving the rocks, were not the successors of Moses and Aaron in lineage, but like them, they were the people who brought together the power of religion and politics in one person.