Enderta Province

Enderta Province

Enderta or Inderta, also known as 70 Enderta (seb-aa Enderta as it is pronounced in Tigrinya), is a former historical province of Ethiopia; it is located in the eastern edge of the Ethiopian highlands. Enderta is bordered on the west by Tembien, on the southeast by Wag of Gondar, the south by Raya and Azebo, on the east by Afar and Aseb, and on the north by Kilete Awla'elo, Agame and Adwa. The Book of Aksum written and compiled probably before the 15th century shows a traditional schematic map of northern Ethiopia; the map which has the city of Aksum at its center indicates Enderta as one of the 13 principal provinces of Tigray and Merebmilash (modern day Eritrea): "Tembien, Shire, Sarawe, Hamasen, Bur, Sam'a, Agame, Amba Senayt, Garalta, Enderta, Saharti and Abergale". At its height in the 18th century, Enderta would absorb Saharti, Gerealta and Wajirat into its dominion and become one of the most prominent provinces in Abyssinia. Historically, Enderta is known as "Ye Bal-Abat Ager" literally translated as "hereditary kingdom" this is because Enderta was always ruled by its own hereditary chiefs, at least, since the restoration of the solomonic dynasty in 1270. Starting in 1855 and beginning with Ras Araya dimtsu of Chalacot-Enderta his immediate relations and descendants known collectively as Enderta Mesafint would rule the tigrigna speaking provinces for more than 120 years until the down fall of the Ethiopian monarchy in 1974 from their capitals in Antalo first then from Mekelle both in Enderta; the last of these Enderta Mesafint being Ras Mangasha Seyum, thus, making Enderta the center of power where important political, economical as well as governmental decisions are made for more than 120 years within Ethiopia.