Location

This church lies south-west of Hawzien Town and east of the road to Megab and the Gheralta Mountain Range. The church is situated within a small valley on the Hawzien plain and carved into the north face. The proximity to Hawzien town and the location make this one of the most accessible of the new rock churches. A visit to the nearby old rock-hewn church of Tekla Haymanot can be included in the same trip.

 

Background

This site was first visited by Michael Gervers on 20 February 2015 and again recorded by Michael Gervers and Tarn Philipp in 2016 and 2017. The church is still under excavation and given the progress noted on previous visits, it will likely be some time before it is completed. Continuous site visits and conversation with the head priest and craftsman has revealed that the slow progress (refer to drawings) between 2016 and 2017 is primarily due to insufficient funding.
Three master craftsmen are recorded as having worked on the site: Giday Hadush, Giday Yeheyyes and, most recently, Gebre Mikael Abreha. The overall administrator is Kegngeta Belay Anawit.

It should be added, that unlike examples of new rock churches elsewhere in Ethiopia, where the craftsman are most often monks or priests fulfilling a ‘Holy’ vision, the craftsman of new rock churches in Tigray, are in contrast, usually labourers. In such scenarios, there is usually a form of contract in place between the church and master craftsman, as well as an agreed overall sum. The master craftsman (who may be a priest) in turn recruits and trains labourers who are paid a daily wage. Thus, the speed at which a church is carved relates to the available resources (money and labour) rather than the capacity or determination of one or more devoted individuals. It is not unusual for a team to consist of eight workmen, but the number depends on their availability and the cash flow.

Giyorgis Mai Wayni is carved into the north rock face and includes two entrances and no windows. The church is turned within the rock so that the sanctuary (maqdas) is to the east. The entrance to the right (west) leads into the western-most bay and that to the left (east) leads to the eastern-most bay, which is to become the sanctuary. These entrances enabled the craftsmen to carve the entire north aisle before progressing deeper within the rock to carve the nave. Site visits to date indicate that the nave was excavated from top to bottom. The increasing amount of slag outside the right (west) entrance should also be noted as it has in turn transformed the area in front of the church. A major concern for the craftsman has been the discovery of a large basalt bolder imbedded in the ochre sandstone where the central sanctuary is to be carved. The granite has not yet yielded to the workmen’s tools. Depending on the eventual size of the bolder, this part of the church may have to be adjusted to reveal and/or remove the hard rock. At present the church is roughly two thirds complete and the south aisle non-existent.

Giyorgis Mai Wayni is architecturally similar to the majority of rock-hewn churches found in Tigray. On completion, the church will extend to three bays in width and four bays in length if one includes the samctuary. Only two of the six columns have so far been freed from the rock. These are both square in plan and distinguish the nave from the north aisle. Pilasters run along the north and west wall of the church and support shallow arches to the free-standing columns. The ceiling of the north aisle and nave is flat and of a similar height. The north aisle includes integrated seating between the pilasters on the north wall and on the west wall. The east wall of the north aisle includes a carved recess formed of two squares which diminish in size but increase in depth. A similar, yet unusual feature is found in the ceiling of this bay where a square, carved block protrudes and is again recessed at the centre.

Date(s) Visited: 23/07/2016, 01/04/2017
Co-ordinates: 13° 57’ 53’’ N, 39° 25’ 8’’ E

A Conversation with Qäññ Geta Ḥagos Gäbräǝgziˀabǝḥer

May Wahni Giyorgis
Tibia, Tǝgray, Ethiopia
February 20 2015

A conversation with Aba Aṣbeḥa Täfäri

May Wähni Giyorgis
Ḥawzen Region, Tǝgray, Ethiopia
February 20, 2015

A conversation with Memhir Atsbeha Teferri

May Wäyni Giyorgis
Ḥawzen, Tǝgray, Ethiopia
July 23, 2016

A conversation with Qäññ Ḥagos Gäbräǝgziˀabǝḥer

May Wäyni Giyorgis
Ḥawzen, Tǝgray, Ethiopia
July 23, 2016

A Conversation with Wälidayi Arägawi

May Wäyni Giyorgis
Ḥawzen, Tǝgray, Ethiopia
September 9 2018

 

Images
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