The Attitude of the Monastic Communities of Däbrä Mägwina towards Some of the Gondarine Emperors: Evidence from Unpublished Manuscript of the Monastery, 1632-1720

Bitwoded Admasu, Teferi Mekonnen, Sisay Sahile and Awegichew Amare

International Journal of Culture and History, 2026, vol. 13, issue 1, 27

Abstract: This study scrutinizes into the unexplored historical dynamics between the monastic communities of Däbrä Mägwina and some of the Gondarine Emperors during the critical period that spanning from 1632 to 1720 in the Ethiopian state. Utilizing previously unpublished manuscripts from the monastery, this historical research uncovers the intricate relationship between the religious and secular dynamics of that time. Amongst the monarchs of the Gondarine period, Emperor Fasilädäs was a significant figure which marked a transition from a Jesuit attempt of Catholicization and Latinization of Ethiopia to the restoration of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church to its statuesque. Däbrä Mägwina, renowned for its spiritual and intellectual contributions, held a unique position in the history of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. The manuscripts recorded during the Gondarine period provided a valuable space into the attitudes, interactions, and exchanges between the religious institutions and the imperial court. By analyzing the content of these manuscripts, this study examined the multifaceted interactions between the monastic communities and the monarchs. It explored the various ways in which the monastic orders engaged with the state, from offering moral guidance and spiritual support to potentially influencing or challenging the Emperor's marital affairs. Furthermore, it investigated the impact of these interactions on the broader socio-political landscape of the time. The researcher used historical research methodology. Because it required access to the original events and records that took place in the past as distinct procedure for the investigation. Besides, the researcher consulted both primary and secondary sources. The findings of the research revealed that Däbrä Mägwina Monastery has played a significant role in the history of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, particularly in the Era of doctrinal controversy to bring an end to the factions which has great implication for the unity of the state. It was also the most important monastic cloister that used princes as a reserve political instrument to deal with the divergent political and religious behavior of the monarchs.

Date: 2026
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