Chapter 16 - Abba Gan (Gäntaba)

Summary

THE BETÄ ƎSRAʾEL holy site of Abba Ganis one of the best-known Betä Ǝsraʾel holy sites, andstill today serves as a place of pilgrimage for members of the BetäƎsraʾel community. The site is located on a hilltop, at thenortheastern foot of the Zawila Ridge, which descends from theWägära Plateau to the southeast, and is delimited by theGorizen River in the north and the Ding^wag^wa River inthe south (map 16.1). The hilltop is surrounded by steep slopes on all sides(fig. 16.1). A narrow saddle extends between it and the spur to its west,and the Gorizen River flows at its northeastern foot. It is more than likelythat the dramatic location and striking topography of the site contributedto its development as a holy site.

The site is not immediately adjacent to any major route or large modern-dayvillage and is linked to the plateau to its west by a series of foot paths.A few clusters of dwell-ings exist in its general vicinity, but none in itsimmediate environs. It seems that one of the distinctive features of thesite is its relative isolation and difficulty of access.

Ǝ.G., who resides near the site, informed us that prior to theemigration of the Betä Ǝsraʾel to Israel, thiscommunity did not live in the site's immediate surroundings. The twonearest Betä Ǝsraʾel villages were Däba andṬoḫa. This latter village was a central reference point in oursearch for the site, which began with an interview with QesM.B. I asked the qes if he knew of places where BetäƎsraʾel monks used to live, and he replied that he had visitedone such site: Gäntaba. I asked him to describe how one gets there,and he related that one travels from the town of Gädäbge toṬoḫa and from there to the site. We played the recording ofQes M.B.'s description to the officials of thelocal tourism bureau at Amba Giyorgis, southwest of Gädäbge.They recognized the place-names and directed us to the dirt road leadingfrom Gädäbge to Ṭoḫa. Along the way, we inquiredregarding the site, and were told that Abba T.B.R., arespected elder, knew the former Betä Ǝsraʾelinhabitants of the area well, and could direct us to the site. We met withAbba T.B.R., who offered to lead us toGäntaba.