About Tigray: The cradle of civilization in the horn of Africa, a 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 more. These are the tangible evidences why Tigray is called the cradle of civilization in tha horn of Africa.

In the sidebar to the right, you can see annimation of landscape of part Tigray.

The history of Tigray is associated with that of Abyssenia . The term Abyssenia comes the word Habesha, a word the people who live in north Ethiopia including Tigray, identify theselves with. Abyssinia used to be the name of that part of northern Ethiopia, where now Tigray is found. Tigray was at the center of Abyssenia.

The people of Tigray, with all the norms, standards and means of subsistence they aqcuired from their ancestors, are well organised and civilized society. Ethiopia is mentioned in the book the credile of civilisation of ancient times. That was mainly because of Tigray, that of Axumite empire. 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.

Without Tigray, Ethiopia cannot claim the old history. If Tigray becomes independent, then Ethiopia would have to rewrite its history.

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.

The name Abyssenia was used synonimous to Ethiopia from 1889 until the early 1930's. However, the southern Ethiopian people never associated themselves with the history of Abyssenia. This is one of the reasons why emperor Haileselasee abolished the name Abyssenia in early 1930's. He retained the name Ethiopia for the purpose of inclusieveness of the southern peoples. By abolishing the name he also made the ownnership of ancient history of civilization from Tigray/Abyssenia to be Ethiopian.

The name Ethiopia was not known to Ethiopians 1889. As is shown in the 17the centuries maps of Africa (click link below) the name Ethiopia refers to what is now called Sub-sahara Africa. Even the North Atlantic Ocean was called the Ethiopian Ocean in the 17th century. During the colonisation (so called the scramble for Africa) the world never knew the existence of a country called Ethiopia. They world new only Abyssenia. The Italians invaded Abyssinia in late 19th century and in the early 1930's of the 20th century. They never invaded a country that was called Ethiopia.

See 17th century map

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 links below to go to the pages where you can see the maps and read the reason why the changes took place.

Changing boundaries of Tigray from 1855 - 2021.

Changing boundaries of Ethiopia from 1855 - 2021.