New Rock-Hewn Churches of Ethiopia

Location

The church is located east of the small roadside town of Taja, between Gašäna and Lalibäla. The site includes an ancient rock church said to have been carved by Abunä Mussiye in the 6th century. The new ‘church’ is carved above and to the east of the ancient rock church. A recently built church is also found above the Abunä Mussiye church.

Church Description

(by Tarn Philipp)

Gäbrǝˀel Yedoga Abunä Gäbrä Mänfäs Qǝddus does not include a tabot and its small size suggests a prayer chamber rather than a church. It is formed by two rectangular chambers and there are no columns. The west chamber includes an entrance from the south and a small dome is found immediately within the entrance. Three figures are carved in relief on the east wall. Below the figures and barely distinguishable, is horizontal banding and a zig zag pattern. A figure is also found on the west wall opposite. The north wall of this chamber includes a large protruding cross that extends the full height and width of the wall. The chamber to the east is reached through a low opening from the west chamber. The east chamber is smaller and omits any noteworthy features. The roof of both chambers is flat throughout.

Despite the disappointing scale, the surfaces are well worked and demonstrate the craftsman’s growing competence. The excavation took four months and was completed in January 2017 (Gregorian Calendar). Calculations based on the progress recorded, indicate the removal of one cubic meter of rock takes one craftsman roughly 4.5 hours. Therefore, a single craftsman, working an eight hour day is able to advance at a rate of approximately 1.8m3 per day. It should be emphasized that this ‘church’ is unsophisticated and the rock is relatively soft. Ultimately, the rock type, number of craftsmen, available tools, funding, and hours worked per day/days worked per week, are all varying factors in determining the time and cost required to complete a rock church.

Getting There

The church lies east of the town of Taja, which is a thirty minute drive from Gašäna on the road to Lalibäla. A dirt track east of the town leads to the church. The footpath to the church is south of the dirt track and a fifty minute walk from Taja. With an off-road vehicle and willing driver, it is possible to drive to the footpath. A twenty-minute ascent is required to reach the church.

Date(s) Visited: 18 September 2018

Co-ordinates: 11° 44' 24" N, 38° 57' 17" E