Oromo translators working for Zännäb

[work in progress]

Introduction

…

(1) Jaagan

1.1 Origin

“Jaagan Ilma Leeqaa kan hiike“ [Genesis, title page] /
“from the descendants of Leeqaa“

  • The Leeqaa territories are located in the Naqamtee and Gidaamii areas in Wälläga
    [cf. article on Sewasew]
1.2 Involvement

Jaagan is mentioned on the title page of the following translations:

1.3 Notes

It is highly likely that Jaagan is one of the two Oromo eunuchs who, according to Mayer, held public Bible lessons with Aläqa Zännäb in 1869. [View BFBS Report 1870].

Jaagan arrived for training at St. Chrischona in July 1872. Due to illnesses and a death (Haylu Wossen), the Pilgrim Mission decided to send most of the students from Abyssinia back early. In December 1872, Jaagan traveled with Greiner and Mayer to Alexandria.

(2) Waaree

2.1 Origin

“Kan hiiqe Waaree nama Noonnoo” [Psalms, title page] /
“Translated by Waare from the Nonno people”

  • The Nonno territories are located in the Jimma area
    [Cf. article on Sewasew]
2.2 Involvement

Waaree is mentioned on the title page of the following translations:

2.3 Notes

The youth Waaree passed away in the Adwa area [in late 1870 or early 1871; view BFBS Report 1871].

It is highly likely that he is one of the two Oromo eunuchs who, according to Mayer, held public Bible lessons with äläqa Zännäb the previous year. [View BFBS Report 1870].

(3) Sholan

3.1 Origin

“[…] Scholan e stirpe Ada […] enixe auxiliantibus”
[St. Matthew and St. Mark, title page] /
“[Zännäb] with the strong help from […] and Sholan from the offspring of Ada [alias Adʾa or Ada’a]”

  • Ada is a district south east of Addis Ababa
3.2 Involvement

Sholan is mentioned on the title page of the following translations:

3.3 Notes

Sholan may have originated from Balli, where Johannes Mayer and his colleagues worked from 1880 until early 1886.

Q: Is Sholan the same person as Gäbrä Mika’el?

  • Gäbrä Mika’el [an Orthodox baptismal name?] was one of the persons Mayer employed as teacher in his Oromo-speaking school in Balli.

(4) Gäbrä Maryam

4.1 Origin

“Kan hiikes Gabira-Maaram Ilmi Darraa […]
Biyya Wallootiitii, ganda Warra Illuutiitii caafame” (Exodus, title p.) /
“Translated by Gäbrä Maryam, a descendant from Därra […]
written in Warra Illuu in the Wällo Region”

  • Därra [View article on Sewasew]
  • Warra Illuu [ወረ ኢሉ], a royal camp and garrison founded by King Menelik of Shewa around 1868, is located in Därrä [View article on Sewasew]
4.2 Involvement

Gäbra Maryam is mentioned on the title page of the following translation:

4.3 Notes

Gäbra Maryam (‘Gabriel’) arrived for training at St. Chrischona in July 1872. Due to illnesses and a death (Haylu Wossen), the Pilgrim Mission decided to send most of the students from Abyssinia back early. In December 1872, Gäbrä Maryam traveled with Greiner and Mayer to Alexandria.

Aläqa Zännäb passed away in October 1876. “Gäbra Maryam” does not appear to have been mentioned in writing afterward.

Further reading

Arnesen, Odd Eirik. “Därra”, in Encyclopaedia Aethiopica, vol. 2, ed. S. Uhlig, p. 103. Wiesbaden: Harrassowitz, 2005.

Bustorf, Dirk. “Domestic and court slavery”, in Encyclopaedia Aethiopica, vol. 4, ed. S. Uhlig in cooperation with A. Bausi, p. 678-. Wiesbaden: Harrassowitz, 2010.

—. “Nonno”, in Encyclopaedia Aethiopica, vol. 3, ed. S. Uhlig, p. 1196-97. Wiesbaden: Harrassowitz, 2007.

Ficquet, Eloi. “Wärrä Illuu” [Qubee: Warra Illuu], in Encyclopaedia Aethiopica, vol. 4, ed. S. Uhlig in cooperation with A. Bausi, p. 1149-50. Wiesbaden: Harrassowitz, 2010.

Tsega Endalew. “Leeqaa”, in Encyclopaedia Aethiopica, vol. 3, ed. S. Uhlig, p. 541-42. Wiesbaden: Harrassowitz, 2007.

Cross-reference

» BFBS Reports, Excerpts 1865-96

» Guests at St. Chrischona

» Krapf on Oromos at St. Chrischona

» Greiner, Autobiographical notes