A BIOGRAPHY OF DÄǦǦAZƎMAČƎ HAGOS TESEMA (1905-1956 G.C)

Abstract

This study is to reconstruct the biography of Däǧǧazǝmačǝ HagosTesema, a prominent political and military figure of Wägära ʾAwuraǧa from 1905 to 1956. The principal approach employed in this study is the qualitative method where data was collected both from primary and secondary sources. Therefore, the researcher obtained valuable information from secondary materials such as books, articles, PhD Dissertation and MA theses. The study also relies on the use of invaluable archival materials, which the researcher collected from NALA, IES, Weldiemeskel Archival center, the Central Gondar Zone Administration Archival Center, Ethiopian Patriotic association and Gondar patriotic association offices. The studies also highly depend on informants and oral informations, which gave detailed accounts about Däǧǧazǝmačǝ Hagos. In the course of reconstructing the biography of Däǧǧazǝmačǝ Hagos Tesema, the researcher came to realize that his role as leader and organizer of the patriotic resistance movement in Wägära and Gondar ʾAwuraǧas. His political leadership as governor of Çǝlga and Sǝmenǝ ʾAwuraǧas were significant to such an extent that both the people and the government of Ethiopia gave recognition. The people recognized his leadership role by appointing him as Däǧǧazǝmačǝ during the period of occupation and the government recognized his role by promoting him to his political and military titles and by awarding him with gifts and different meda. In my assessment, in spite of the fact that the person in question was one of the key figures whose life and times is worthy of scientific study; there is no entitled scientific study conducted on the career of Däǧǧazǝmačǝ Hagos so far. This thesis, therefore, is meant to fill the gaps in scholarly studies in this connection.