INFORMATION AND DATA COLLECTION FOR FREE TIGRAY

Brief historical account about Tigray, its boundary, & the organisation of this website

Tigray is located in north Ethiopia. It is one of the first places in the world where all major religions (Jewish, christianity and Islam etc) were introduced and practised. These tangible evidences make Tigray the cradle of civilization in the horn of Africa.

Tigray.nl collects reliable reference documents, articles and makes links to trustworthy publications about Tigray everywhere in media.

The goal is to provide the right information to the Dutch speaking people in particular and English and Tigrigna speaking in general.

About Tigray: brief historical account

Tigray is located in north Ethiopia. It is one of the first place in the world where all major religions (Jewish, christianity and Islam etc) were introduced and practised. In Tigray, there are thousands years old greate obilisks, more than hundred rock huwen churches and etc. These are the tangible evidences why Tigray is called the cradle of civilization in tha horn of Africa. The people of Tigray, with all the norms, standards and means of subsistence they have aqcuired from their ancestors, are very civilized and as a society of very well organised.

One might have read Ethiopia as being the credile of civilisation of ancient times. That was mainly because of Tigray. Without Tigray Ethiopia cannot claim the old history. If Tigray becomes independent, then Ethiopia would have to rewrite its history. Abyssinia used to be the name of that part of northern Ethiopia, where Tigray is found. Tigray was at the center of Abyssenia. The term Abyssenia comes the word Habesha, a word the people who live in north Ethiopia, including Tigray, identify theselves with.

Ethiopia and its territory as we know it todate didn't exist before 130 years. The present Ethiopia is the result of the expantion made by Emperor Minilik since 1889. Minilik expanded Abyssenia and included large area from the south (much larger area than Abyssenia itself) to his administration.

As long as Tigray remains part of the territory of Ethiopia, the ancient history is also considered that of Ethiopia. If Tigray becomes independent, then Ethiopia can not claim the ancient history. Abyssenia and Tigray were there for centuries and are owners of that histoty.

The name Abyssenia was used synonimously to Ethiopia until the early 1930's. However, the southern Ethiopian people never associated themselves with the history of Abyssenia. Therefore, in early 1930's emperor Haileselasee abolished the name Abyssenia and retained the name Ethiopia for the purpose of inclusieveness of the southern peoples. And also to discredit and take away the ownnership of ancient history of civilization from Tigray/Abyssenia.

Tigray and its historical boundaries

In the 19th century, there were no clearly demarcated boundaries of countries in much of Africa. In that century and earlier the regions that belonged to Abyssenia had known selfrule for centuries. These regions were Tigray, Agew midir, Gojam, Shewa, Begemder and Wollo. A powerful kings (nigus) that ruled all the regions of Abysssnia used to have the title of king of kings. His rule is confirmed when the regions pay taxes to him. The king of kings never takeover the administration of the regions. The regions had their own Ras or Nigus (prince or king).

The Ras or negus of the regions had clear boundaries they govern. The bondary of the regions was either geographically or religiuosly bounded. But in 1855, emperor Tewodros (from Kimant who ruled 1855-1867) forcefully succeeded to form a united Abyssenia. He is considered to be the founder of the modern Abyssenia/Ethiopia. Consequenty, the boundaries of the regions of Abyssenia changed several times after that.

The border of Tigray has also changed several during the last 150 years. Now the independence of Tigray has become imminent. The question now is what would be the boundary of Tigray? Obviously Tigray will claim its boundary based on historical facts.

Therefore, Tigray.nl has prepared maps of the changing boundaries of Tigray and that of Abyssenia/Ethiopia from 1855 to 2021. Click at the sidebar to go to the page where you can see the maps and read the reason why the changes took place. see the mapsead the posts.