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{{Redirect|Debre Birhan|the village in Tigray (Ethiopia)|Menachek}}
{{Short description|City in Amhara Region, Ethiopia}}
{{Short description|City in Amhara Region, Ethiopia}}
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{{For|a village in [[Tigray Region]]|Menachek}}
<!-- Infobox begins here; main text of article is below -->
<!-- Infobox begins here; main text of article is below -->
{{Infobox settlement
{{Infobox settlement
| official_name = Debre Berhan
| official_name = Debre Birhan
| native_name = ደብረ ብርሃን
| native_name = ደብረ ብርሃን
| native_name_lang = am
| native_name_lang = am
| other_name =
| other_name =
| settlement_type = City
| settlement_type = City
| image_skyline = Debre Birham (3).jpg
| image_skyline = Debre Birham (3).jpg
| image_caption = A street in Debre Berhan
| image_caption = A street in Debre Berhan
| image_flag = Flag of the Amhara Region.svg
| image_flag =
| image_seal =
| image_seal =
| image_shield =
| image_shield =
| nickname =
| nickname =
| motto =
| motto =
| image_map =
| image_map =
| map_caption =
| map_caption =
| pushpin_map = Ethiopia
| pushpin_map = Ethiopia
| pushpin_label_position = bottom<!-- the position of the pushpin label: left, right, top, bottom, none -->
| pushpin_label_position = bottom<!-- the position of the pushpin label: left, right, top, bottom, none -->
| pushpin_map_caption = Location within Ethiopia
| pushpin_map_caption = Location within Ethiopia
| coordinates = {{coord|9|41|N|39|32|E|region:ET-AM|display=inline}}
| coordinates = {{coord|9|41|N|39|32|E|region:ET-AM|display=inline}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = [[Ethiopia]]
| subdivision_name = {{flag|Ethiopia}}
| subdivision_type1 = [[Regions of Ethiopia|Region]]
| subdivision_type1 = [[Regions of Ethiopia|Region]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[List of zones of Ethiopia|Zone]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[List of zones of Ethiopia|Zone]]
| subdivision_type3 =
| subdivision_type3 =
| subdivision_type4 =
| subdivision_type4 =
| subdivision_name1 = [[Amhara Region|Amhara]]
| subdivision_name1 = {{flag|Amhara|Region}}
| subdivision_name2 = [[Semien Shewa Zone (Amhara)|Semien (North) Shewa]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[North Shewa Zone (Amhara)|North Shewa Zone]]
| subdivision_name3 =
| subdivision_name3 =
| subdivision_name4 =
| subdivision_name4 =
| established_title = Founded
| established_title = Founded
| established_date = 7 March 1456
| established_date = 7 March 1456
| founder = [[Zara Yaqob]]
| founder = [[Zara Yaqob]]
| government_footnotes =
| government_footnotes =
| government_type =
| government_type =
| leader_title =
| leader_title =
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| area_footnotes =
| area_footnotes =
| area_total_km2 = 14.71
| area_total_km2 = 14.71
| area_land_km2 = <!--See table @ Template:Infobox Settlement for details on automatic unit conversion-->
| area_land_km2 = <!--See table @ Template:Infobox Settlement for details on automatic unit conversion-->
| area_water_km2 =
| area_water_km2 =
| area_water_percent =
| area_water_percent =
| elevation_footnotes = <!--for references: use<ref> </ref> tags-->
| elevation_footnotes = <!--for references: use<ref> </ref> tags-->
| elevation_m = 2840
| elevation_m = 2840
| population_total = 160408
| population_total = 65231
| population_as_of = 2012
| population_as_of = 2007
| population_footnotes = <ref name="Census 2007 Tables: Amhara Region">[https://www.csa.gov.et/index.php?option=com_rubberdoc&view=doc&id=266&format=raw&Itemid=521 Census 2007 Tables: Amhara Region] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101114004005/http://www.csa.gov.et/index.php?option=com_rubberdoc&view=doc&id=266&format=raw&Itemid=521 |date=November 14, 2010 }}, Tables 2.1, 2.4, 2.5, 3.1, 3.2 and 3.4.</ref>
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| postal_code_type = <!-- enter ZIP code, Postcode, Post code, Postal code... -->
| postal_code_type = <!-- enter ZIP code, Postcode, Post code, Postal code... -->
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| area_code =
| area_code =
| website =
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| footnotes =
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| timezone = [[East Africa Time|EAT]]
| timezone = [[East Africa Time|EAT]]
| utc_offset = +3
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| name =
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| population_est = 139724
| pop_est_as_of = 2021
| pop_est_footnotes = <ref>{{Cite web |date=2021 |title=Population Projection Towns as of July 2021 |url=https://www.statsethiopia.gov.et/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Population-of-Towns-as-of-July-2021.pdf |access-date=31 May 2022 |website=Ethiopian Statistics Agency}}</ref>
}}
}}
<!-- Infobox ends; main text of article begins on next line -->
<!-- Infobox ends; main text of article begins on next line -->
'''Debre Berhan''' ({{Lang-am|ደብረ ብርሃን}})<ref>{{cite EB1911|wstitle=Abyssinia#7 |display=Abyssinia: (7) Provinces and Towns |volume=1 |page=86}}</ref> is a city in central [[Ethiopia]]. Located in the [[Semien Shewa Zone (Amhara)|Semien Shewa Zone]] of [[Amhara Region]], about 120 kilometers north east of [[Addis Ababa]] on [[Ethiopian highway 2]], the town has an elevation of 2,840 meters, which makes it the highest town of this size in Africa. It was an early capital of Ethiopia and afterwards, with [[Ankober]] and [[Angolalla Tera|Angolalla]], was one of the capitals of the kingdom of [[Shewa]]. Today, it is the administrative center of the Semien Shewa Zone of the Amhara Region.
'''Debre Birhan''' ({{Langx|am|ደብረ ብርሃን}})<ref>{{cite EB1911|wstitle=Abyssinia#7 |display=Abyssinia: (7) Provinces and Towns |volume=1 |page=86}}</ref> is a city in central [[Ethiopia]]. Located in the [[Semien Shewa Zone (Amhara)|Semien Shewa Zone]] of [[Amhara Region]], about 120 kilometers north east of [[Addis Ababa]] on [[Ethiopian highway 2]], the town has an elevation of 2,840 meters, which makes it the highest town in Africa. It was an early capital of Ethiopia and afterwards, with [[Ankober]] and [[Angolalla Tera|Angolalla]], was one of the capitals of the kingdom of [[Shewa]]. Today, it is the administrative center of the [[North Shewa Zone (Amhara)|North Shewa Zone]] of the Amhara Region.


== History ==
== History ==


=== Origins ===
=== Origins ===
Debre Berhan was founded by [[Emperor of Ethiopia|Emperor]] [[Zara Yaqob]], in response to a [[miraculous]] light that was seen in the sky at the time. Believing this was a sign from [[God]] showing his approval for the death by [[stoning]] of a group of heretics 38 days before, the emperor ordered a church built on the site, and later constructed an extensive palace nearby, and a second church, dedicated to [[Saint Cyriacus]]. Zara Yaqob spent 12 of the last 14 years of his life in Debre Berhan.
Debre Birhan was founded by [[Emperor of Ethiopia|Emperor]] [[Zara Yaqob]], in response to a [[miraculous]] light that was seen in the sky at the time. Believing this was a sign from [[God]] showing his approval for the death by [[stoning]] of a group of heretics 38 days before, the emperor ordered a church built on the site, and later constructed an extensive palace nearby, and a second church, dedicated to [[Saint Cyriacus]]. Zara Yaqob spent 12 of the last 14 years of his life in Debre Birhan.


Historian [[Richard Pankhurst (academic)|Richard Pankhurst]] offers the date of 1456 for the date of the founding of this church, providing a plausible argument that the light in the sky was [[Halley's Comet]], which could have been in Shewa that year, although the traditional dates (10th day of the month of Maggabit, i.e. 6 or 7 March) do not coincide with the days that the comet was most visible (13 through 17 June).<ref>{{cite book |last= Pankhurst|first= Richard K. P.|title= History of Ethiopian Towns|year= 1982|publisher= Franz Steiner Verlag|location= Wiesbaden|page = 37}}</ref>
Historian [[Richard Pankhurst (academic)|Richard Pankhurst]] offers the date of 1456 for the date of the founding of this church, providing a plausible argument that the light in the sky was [[Halley's Comet]], which could have been seen in Shewa that year, although the traditional dates (10th day of the month of Maggabit, i.e. 6 or 7 March) do not coincide with the days that the comet was most visible (13 through 17 June).<ref>{{cite book |last= Pankhurst|first= Richard K. P.|title= History of Ethiopian Towns|year= 1982|publisher= Franz Steiner Verlag|location= Wiesbaden|page = 37}}</ref>


While his son [[Baeda Maryam of Ethiopia|Baeda Maryam]] did spend the first part of his reign in Debre Berhan, eventually Baeda Maryam returned to the established itinerant practice of living in a permanent encampment that was constantly on the move through the realm. The departure of the court led to a decline in the population and importance of this town. Pankhurst explains that the needs of the imperial court and army—who numbered in the thousands—for firewood and food was so burdensome that, "it could not remain in any one locality for more than four months, nor return to the same place in less than 10 years due to the resultant shortage of food",<ref>Pankhurst, ''Ethiopian Towns'', p. 41</ref> which prevented the growth of any capital city in this period.
While his son [[Baeda Maryam of Ethiopia|Baeda Maryam]] did spend the first part of his reign in Debre Birhan, eventually Baeda Maryam returned to the established itinerant practice of living in a permanent encampment that was constantly on the move through the realm. The departure of the court led to a decline in the population and importance of this town. Pankhurst explains that the needs of the imperial court and army—who numbered in the thousands—for firewood and food was so burdensome that, "it could not remain in any one locality for more than four months, nor return to the same place in less than 10 years due to the resultant shortage of food",<ref>Pankhurst, ''Ethiopian Towns'', p. 41</ref> which prevented the growth of any capital city in this period.


=== 16th-18th century ===
=== 16th-18th century ===
While little more than a large village, Debre Berhan is mentioned a few times in the 16th century, the first time as a mustering center by Emperor [[Lebna Dengel]] against the invading armies of [[Ahmad Gragn]].<ref>Sihab ad-Din Ahmad bin 'Abd al-Qader, ''Futuh al-Habasa: The conquest of Ethiopia'', translated by Paul Lester Stenhouse with annotations by Richard Pankhurst (Hollywood: Tsehai, 2003), p. 59.</ref> After he had defeated Lebna Dengel at the [[Battle of Amba Sel]], Ahmad mustered his troops twice in Debre Berhan before leading them on campaigns deeper into Ethiopian territory. At the second mustering in 1535, he proclaimed before his followers, "Thanks be to God, Abyssinia is conquered. Only [[Tigray Province|Tigray]], [[Begemder]] and [[Gojjam]] are left... Shall we march against them, or shall we stay on in this region for a year until we have settled it down?" then led them into the [[Ethiopian highlands]].<ref>Sihab ad-Din Ahmad, ''Futuh al-Habasa'', pp. 337f.</ref>
While little more than a large village, Debre Birhan is mentioned a few times in the 16th century, the first time as a mustering center by Emperor [[Lebna Dengel]] against the invading armies of [[Ahmad Gragn]].<ref>Sihab ad-Din Ahmad bin 'Abd al-Qader, ''Futuh al-Habasa: The conquest of Ethiopia'', translated by Paul Lester Stenhouse with annotations by Richard Pankhurst (Hollywood: Tsehai, 2003), p. 59.</ref> After he had defeated Lebna Dengel at the [[Battle of Amba Sel]], Ahmad mustered his troops twice in Debre Birhan before leading them on campaigns deeper into Ethiopian territory. At the second mustering in 1535, he proclaimed before his followers, "Thanks be to God, Abyssinia is conquered. Only [[Tigray Province|Tigray]], [[Begemder]] and [[Gojjam]] are left... Shall we march against them, or shall we stay on in this region for a year until we have settled it down?" then led them into the [[Ethiopian highlands]].<ref>Sihab ad-Din Ahmad, ''Futuh al-Habasa'', pp. 337f.</ref>


=== 19th century ===
=== 19th century ===
The village regained importance in the reign of [[Asfa Wossen]] (1775–1808), [[Rulers of Shewa|Meridazmach of Shewa]], who built a palace there, and divided his time amongst this town, Ankober and Angolalla.<ref>Pankhurst, ''Ethiopian Towns'', pp. 188f</ref> The succeeding Meridazmaches prized Debre Berhan as a hunting lodge for its surrounding plains, and used it as a riding place.<ref>Pankhurst, ''Ethiopian Towns'', p. 280</ref> His son [[Sahle Selassie]] rebuilt Debre Berhan after it had been ravaged by [[Abichu Oromo]] at the beginning of his reign, and built a church dedicated to the Selassie ("[[Trinity]]") in this capital.<ref>{{cite book |last= Abir|first= Mordechai |title= Ethiopia: The Era of the Princes; The Challenge of Islam and the Re-unification of the Christian Empire (1769-1855)|year= 1968|publisher= Longmans|location= London|pages=152f}}</ref>
The village regained importance in the reign of [[Asfaw Wossen (ruler of Shewa)|Asfaw Wossen]] (1775–1808), [[Rulers of Shewa|Meridazmach of Shewa]], who built a palace there, and divided his time amongst this town, Ankober and Angolalla.<ref>Pankhurst, ''Ethiopian Towns'', pp. 188f</ref> The succeeding Meridazmaches prized Debre Birhan as a hunting lodge for its surrounding plains, and used it as a riding place.<ref>Pankhurst, ''Ethiopian Towns'', p. 280</ref> His son [[Sahle Selassie]] rebuilt Debre Birhan after it had been ravaged by [[Abichu Oromo]] at the beginning of his reign, and built a church dedicated to the Selassie ("[[Trinity]]") in this capital.<ref>{{cite book |last= Abir|first= Mordechai |title= Ethiopia: The Era of the Princes; The Challenge of Islam and the Re-unification of the Christian Empire (1769-1855)|year= 1968|publisher= Longmans|location= London|pages=152f}}</ref>


When then [[Negus]] [[Menelik II of Ethiopia|Menelik]] submitted to Emperor [[Yohannes IV of Ethiopia|Yohannes IV]] in the treaty of Wadara of 1878, it was also stipulated that the capital of Shewa would be moved from [[Liche]] to Debre Berhan.<ref>{{cite book |last= Marcus|first= Harold G.|title= The Life and Times of Menelik II: Ethiopia 1844-1913|year= 1995|publisher=Red Sea Press|location= Lawrenceville|isbn= 1-56902-010-8|page = 55}}</ref>
When then [[Negus]] [[Menelik II of Ethiopia|Menelik]] submitted to Emperor [[Yohannes IV of Ethiopia|Yohannes IV]] in the treaty of Wadara of 1878, it was also stipulated that the capital of Shewa would be moved from [[Liche]] to Debre Birhan.<ref>{{cite book |last= Marcus|first= Harold G.|title= The Life and Times of Menelik II: Ethiopia 1844-1913|year= 1995|publisher=Red Sea Press|location= Lawrenceville|isbn= 1-56902-010-8|page = 55}}</ref>


The Debre Berhan market in the 1880s was considered important for mules and horses. The Selassie church was rebuilt by Emperor Menilek in 1906 and contains many mural paintings.<ref name=NAI-website>[http://130.238.24.99/library/resources/dossiers/local_history_of_ethiopia/d/ORTDEB1.pdf "Local History in Ethiopia"]{{Dead link|date=September 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} The Nordic Africa Institute website (accessed 16 December 2007)</ref> David Buxton believes that it was inevitable that Debre Berhan would regain importance, "Although a somewhat cold and inhospitable place," he writes about the town, "it has an obvious advantage as commanding what must always have been an important focus of routes. Even in modern times it was inevitable that the Asmara road should be brought through this easy passage, avoiding the impassable gorges on the other."<ref>D. R. Buxton, [https://www.jstor.org/stable/1789582 "The Shoan Plateau and Its People: An Essay in Local Geography", ''Geographical Journal''], 114, (1949), p. 162</ref>
The Debre Birhan market in the 1880s was considered important for mules and horses. The Selassie church was rebuilt by Emperor Menilek in 1906 and contains many mural paintings.<ref name=NAI-website>[http://130.238.24.99/library/resources/dossiers/local_history_of_ethiopia/d/ORTDEB1.pdf "Local History in Ethiopia"]{{Dead link|date=September 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} The Nordic Africa Institute website (accessed 16 December 2007)</ref> David Buxton believes that it was inevitable that Debre Berhan would regain importance, "Although a somewhat cold and inhospitable place," he writes about the town, "it has an obvious advantage as commanding what must always have been an important focus of routes. Even in modern times it was inevitable that the Asmara road should be brought through this easy passage, avoiding the impassable gorges on the other."<ref>D. R. Buxton, [https://www.jstor.org/stable/1789582 "The Shoan Plateau and Its People: An Essay in Local Geography", ''Geographical Journal''], 114, (1949), p. 162</ref>


=== 20th century ===
=== 20th century ===
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== Demographics ==
== Demographics ==
Based on the 2007 national census conducted by the [[Central Statistical Agency (Ethiopia)|Central Statistical Agency]] of Ethiopia (CSA), this town has a total population of 65,231, of whom 31,668 are men and 33,563 women. The majority of the inhabitants practiced [[Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity]], with 94.12% reporting that as their religion, while 3.32% of the population said they were [[Islam in Ethiopia|Muslim]] and 2.15% were [[P'ent'ay|Protestants]].<ref>[http://www.csa.gov.et/index.php?option=com_rubberdoc&view=doc&id=266&format=raw&Itemid=521 Census 2007 Tables: Amhara Region] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101114004005/http://www.csa.gov.et/index.php?option=com_rubberdoc&view=doc&id=266&format=raw&Itemid=521 |date=November 14, 2010 }}, Tables 2.1, 2.4, 2.5, 3.1, 3.2 and 3.4.</ref>
Based on the 2007 national census conducted by the [[Central Statistical Agency (Ethiopia)|Central Statistical Agency]] of Ethiopia (CSA), this town has a total population of 65,231, of whom 31,668 are men and 33,563 women. The majority of the inhabitants practiced [[Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity]], with 94.12% reporting that as their religion, while 3.32% of the population said they were [[Islam in Ethiopia|Muslim]] and 2.15% were [[P'ent'ay|Protestants]].<ref name="Census 2007 Tables: Amhara Region"/>


The 1994 national census reported a total population for Debre Berhan of 38,717 in 8,906 households, of whom 17,918 were men and 20,799 were women. The five largest ethnic groups reported in the town were the [[Amhara people|Amhara]] (90.12%), the [[Oromo people|Oromo]] (3.94%), the [[Tigrayans|Tigrayan]] (1.81%), the [[Gurage]] (1.6%), and the [[Argobba people|Argobba]] (1.2%); all other ethnic groups made up 1.33% of the population. [[Amharic language|Amharic]] was spoken as a first language by 93.81%, [[Oromo language|Oromiffa]] was spoken by 3.04%, and 1.5% spoke [[Tigrinya language|Tigrinya]]; the remaining 1.65% spoke all other primary languages reported. The majority of the inhabitants practiced [[Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity]], with 94.59% reporting that as their religion, while 4.05% were [[Islam in Ethiopia|Muslim]], and 1.02% [[P'ent'ay|Protestant]].<ref>[http://www.csa.gov.et/surveys/Population%20and%20Housing%20Census%201994/survey0/data/docs%5Creport%5CStatistical_Report%5Ck03%5Ck03_partI.pdf ''1994 Population and Housing Census of Ethiopia: Results for Amhara Region'', Vol. 1, part 1] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101115052151/http://www.csa.gov.et/surveys/Population%20and%20Housing%20Census%201994/survey0/data/docs%5Creport%5CStatistical_Report%5Ck03%5Ck03_partI.pdf |date=November 15, 2010 }}, Tables 2.1, 2.7, 2.10, 2.13, 2.17, Annex II.2 (accessed 9 April 2009)</ref>
The 1994 national census reported a total population for Debre Birhan of 38,717 in 8,906 households, of whom 17,918 were men and 20,799 were women. The five largest ethnic groups reported in the town were the [[Amhara people|Amhara]] (90.12%), the [[Oromo people|Oromo]] (3.94%), the [[Tigrayans|Tigrayan]] (1.81%), the [[Gurage]] (1.60%), and the [[Argobba people|Argobba]] (1.20%); all other ethnic groups made up 1.33% of the population. [[Amharic language|Amharic]] was spoken as a first language by 93.81%, [[Oromo language|Oromiffa]] was spoken by 3.04%, and 1.50% spoke [[Tigrinya language|Tigrinya]]; the remaining 1.65% spoke all other primary languages reported. The majority of the inhabitants practised [[Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity]], with 94.59% reporting that as their religion, while 4.05% were [[Islam in Ethiopia|Muslim]], and 1.02% reported as [[P'ent'ay|Protestant]].<ref>[http://www.csa.gov.et/surveys/Population%20and%20Housing%20Census%201994/survey0/data/docs%5Creport%5CStatistical_Report%5Ck03%5Ck03_partI.pdf ''1994 Population and Housing Census of Ethiopia: Results for Amhara Region'', Vol. 1, part 1] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101115052151/http://www.csa.gov.et/surveys/Population%20and%20Housing%20Census%201994/survey0/data/docs%5Creport%5CStatistical_Report%5Ck03%5Ck03_partI.pdf |date=November 15, 2010 }}, Tables 2.1, 2.7, 2.10, 2.13, 2.17, Annex II.2 (accessed 9 April 2009)</ref>


== Climate ==
== Climate ==
Debre Berhan is one of the coolest cities found in the subtropical zone of Ethiopia. The city has a typical [[subtropical highland climate]] (Köppen Cwb). The average annual temperature of the city during day and night hour is 20.7&nbsp;°C and 8.2&nbsp;°C respectively with precipitation 964mm.<ref>{{cite web|title=Climate: Debre Berhan|url=http://www.meteoblue.com/en/weather/forecast/modelclimate/debre-birhan_ethiopia_339734|access-date=30 July 2016}}</ref>
Debre Birhan is one of the coolest cities found in the subtropical zone of Ethiopia. The city has a typical [[subtropical highland climate]] (Köppen Cwb). The average annual temperature of the city during day and night hour is 20.7&nbsp;°C and 8.2&nbsp;°C respectively with precipitation 964mm.<ref>{{cite web|title=Climate: Debre Berhan|url=http://www.meteoblue.com/en/weather/forecast/modelclimate/debre-birhan_ethiopia_339734|access-date=30 July 2016}}</ref>


{{Weather box
{{Weather box
| location = Debre Berhan
| location = Debre Birhan
| single line = yes
| single line = yes
| metric first = yes
| metric first = yes
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| source = <ref name="Climate-Data.org">{{cite web
| source = <ref name="Climate-Data.org">{{cite web
|url = https://en.climate-data.org/location/3657/
|url = https://en.climate-data.org/location/3657/
|title = Climate: Debre Berhan
|title = Climate: Debre Birhan
|publisher = Climate-Data.org
|publisher = Climate-Data.org
|access-date = December 21, 2017
|access-date = December 21, 2017
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== Local economy ==
== Local economy ==
Debre Birhan is located along [[Ethiopian Highway 2]], which connects [[Addis Abeba]] with the north of the country. The gravel road between Debre Berhan and Ankober, 42 kilometers in length, was overhauled in May 2009.<ref>[http://www.ena.gov.et/EnglishNews/2009/May/29May09/88660.htm "42-km Debrebirhan-Ankober road being maintained"]{{dead link|date=September 2017|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}, [[Ethiopian News Agency]], 29 May 2009 (accessed 30 May 2009)</ref>
Debre Birhan is located along [[Ethiopian Highway 2]], which connects [[Addis Abeba]] with the north of the country. The gravel road between Debre Birhan and Ankober, 42 kilometers in length, was overhauled in May 2009.<ref>[http://www.ena.gov.et/EnglishNews/2009/May/29May09/88660.htm "42-km Debrebirhan-Ankober road being maintained"]{{dead link|date=September 2017|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}, [[Ethiopian News Agency]], 29 May 2009 (accessed 30 May 2009)</ref>


The Debre Berhan Wool Factory, the first wool factory in Ethiopia, started production was 1 January 1965 with 120 spindles and 6 looms, having the capacity to process one metric ton of wool daily. In its first six months, the factory produced 7,065 blankets in a single-shift operation with a labor force of about 200, of whom 45% were women. The [[Derg]] government announced 3 February 1975 that the Debre Berhan Wool Factory was among 14 textile enterprises to be fully nationalised.<ref name="NAI-website" />
The Debre Birhan Wool Factory, the first wool factory in Ethiopia, started production was 1 January 1965 with 120 spindles and 6 looms, having the capacity to process one metric ton of wool daily. In its first six months, the factory produced 7,065 blankets in a single-shift operation with a labor force of about 200, of whom 45% were women. The [[Derg]] government announced 3 February 1975 that the Debre Birhan Wool Factory was among 14 textile enterprises to be fully nationalised.<ref name="NAI-website" />


Debre Berhan is also a famed center of [[rug making]].
Debre Birhan is also a famed center of [[rug making]].


==Education==
==Education==
[[Debre Berhan University]] is located in Debre Berhan.
[[Debre Berhan University]] is located in Debre Berhan city. Amhara Region, Ethiopia. It is one of thirteen new universities which were established in 2007 by the Ethiopian government.


== Landmarks ==
== Landmarks ==
Despite its historical importance, none of the buildings Emperor Zara Yaqob built exist today, and no obvious 19th century construction is visible. The present church, although located on the site of the 15th century church, was built in 1906 at the orders of Emperor [[Menelik II]].
Despite its historical importance, none of the buildings Emperor Zara Yaqob built exist today due to the fact that the sixteenth century Adal leader [[Ahmed ibn Ibrahim al-Ghazi]] ordered their destruction, and no obvious 19th century construction is visible.<ref>{{cite book |title=Dabra Birhan |publisher=Encyclopedia Aethiopica |url=https://en.sewasew.com/p/da-bra-birhan-(%E1%8B%B0%E1%89%A5%E1%88%A8-%E1%89%A5%E1%88%AD%E1%88%83%E1%8A%95) |access-date=19 August 2022 |archive-date=8 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230308201746/https://en.sewasew.com/p/da-bra-birhan-%28%E1%8B%B0%E1%89%A5%E1%88%A8-%E1%89%A5%E1%88%AD%E1%88%83%E1%8A%95%29 |url-status=live }}</ref> The present church, although located on the site of the 15th century church, was built in 1906 at the orders of Emperor [[Menelik II]].


== International relations ==
== International relations ==
Debre Berhan is twinned with (sister city of)
Debre Birhan is twinned with (sister city of)
*[[Le Blanc-Mesnil]] in [[France]]
*[[Le Blanc-Mesnil]] in [[France]]


== Notes ==
== Notes ==
{{portal|Africa}}
{{Reflist|2}}
{{Reflist|2}}


{{Cities of Ethiopia}}
{{Cities of Ethiopia}}
{{Woredas of the Semien Shewa Zone, Amhara}}
{{Districts of the Amhara Region}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}


[[Category:Populated places established in the 15th century]]
[[Category:Populated places established in the 15th century]]
⚫
[[Category:History of Ethiopia]]
[[Category:Districts of Amhara Region]]
[[Category:Districts of Amhara Region]]
[[Category:Former national capitals]]
[[Category:Former national capitals]]
⚫
[[Category:Cities and towns in Ethiopia]]

Latest revision as of 09:55, 8 November 2024

For a village in Tigray Region, see Menachek.
Debre Birhan
ደብረ ብርሃን
City
A street in Debre Berhan
A street in Debre Berhan
Debre Birhan is located in Ethiopia
Debre Birhan
Debre Birhan
Location within Ethiopia
Coordinates: 9°41′N 39°32′E / 9.683°N 39.533°E / 9.683; 39.533
Country Ethiopia
Region Amhara
ZoneNorth Shewa Zone
Founded7 March 1456
Founded byZara Yaqob
Area
 • Total
14.71 km2 (5.68 sq mi)
Elevation
2,840 m (9,320 ft)
Population
 (2007)[1]
 • Total
65,231
 • Estimate 
(2021)[2]
139,724
 • Density4,400/km2 (11,000/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+3 (EAT)

Debre Birhan (Amharic: ደብረ ብርሃን)[3] is a city in central Ethiopia. Located in the Semien Shewa Zone of Amhara Region, about 120 kilometers north east of Addis Ababa on Ethiopian highway 2, the town has an elevation of 2,840 meters, which makes it the highest town in Africa. It was an early capital of Ethiopia and afterwards, with Ankober and Angolalla, was one of the capitals of the kingdom of Shewa. Today, it is the administrative center of the North Shewa Zone of the Amhara Region.

History

[edit]

Origins

[edit]

Debre Birhan was founded by Emperor Zara Yaqob, in response to a miraculous light that was seen in the sky at the time. Believing this was a sign from God showing his approval for the death by stoning of a group of heretics 38 days before, the emperor ordered a church built on the site, and later constructed an extensive palace nearby, and a second church, dedicated to Saint Cyriacus. Zara Yaqob spent 12 of the last 14 years of his life in Debre Birhan.

Historian Richard Pankhurst offers the date of 1456 for the date of the founding of this church, providing a plausible argument that the light in the sky was Halley's Comet, which could have been seen in Shewa that year, although the traditional dates (10th day of the month of Maggabit, i.e. 6 or 7 March) do not coincide with the days that the comet was most visible (13 through 17 June).[4]

While his son Baeda Maryam did spend the first part of his reign in Debre Birhan, eventually Baeda Maryam returned to the established itinerant practice of living in a permanent encampment that was constantly on the move through the realm. The departure of the court led to a decline in the population and importance of this town. Pankhurst explains that the needs of the imperial court and army—who numbered in the thousands—for firewood and food was so burdensome that, "it could not remain in any one locality for more than four months, nor return to the same place in less than 10 years due to the resultant shortage of food",[5] which prevented the growth of any capital city in this period.

16th-18th century

[edit]

While little more than a large village, Debre Birhan is mentioned a few times in the 16th century, the first time as a mustering center by Emperor Lebna Dengel against the invading armies of Ahmad Gragn.[6] After he had defeated Lebna Dengel at the Battle of Amba Sel, Ahmad mustered his troops twice in Debre Birhan before leading them on campaigns deeper into Ethiopian territory. At the second mustering in 1535, he proclaimed before his followers, "Thanks be to God, Abyssinia is conquered. Only Tigray, Begemder and Gojjam are left... Shall we march against them, or shall we stay on in this region for a year until we have settled it down?" then led them into the Ethiopian highlands.[7]

19th century

[edit]

The village regained importance in the reign of Asfaw Wossen (1775–1808), Meridazmach of Shewa, who built a palace there, and divided his time amongst this town, Ankober and Angolalla.[8] The succeeding Meridazmaches prized Debre Birhan as a hunting lodge for its surrounding plains, and used it as a riding place.[9] His son Sahle Selassie rebuilt Debre Birhan after it had been ravaged by Abichu Oromo at the beginning of his reign, and built a church dedicated to the Selassie ("Trinity") in this capital.[10]

When then Negus Menelik submitted to Emperor Yohannes IV in the treaty of Wadara of 1878, it was also stipulated that the capital of Shewa would be moved from Liche to Debre Birhan.[11]

The Debre Birhan market in the 1880s was considered important for mules and horses. The Selassie church was rebuilt by Emperor Menilek in 1906 and contains many mural paintings.[12] David Buxton believes that it was inevitable that Debre Berhan would regain importance, "Although a somewhat cold and inhospitable place," he writes about the town, "it has an obvious advantage as commanding what must always have been an important focus of routes. Even in modern times it was inevitable that the Asmara road should be brought through this easy passage, avoiding the impassable gorges on the other."[13]

20th century

[edit]

Debre Berhan received electricity in 1955 when a 90 kW hydro-electric power station was put into service; by 1965, the installed electrical capacity in the town was 125 kVA and annual production 103,000 kWh. On 26 April 1957, Emperor Haile Selassie opened the Community Teacher Training School in the town.[14] By 1958 it was one of 27 places in Ethiopia ranked as First Class Township.[12]

On 2 July 1994 it was broadcast that nine people were killed and eleven captured in an exchange of fire with security forces in Asagirt woreda. The people were alleged to have broken into the Debre Berhan prison before that, setting a number of prisoners free. According to the police, Andale Melaklu, the Debre Berhan representative of the All-Amhara People's Organization was one of the "bandits" killed in the fire exchange.[12]

Demographics

[edit]

Based on the 2007 national census conducted by the Central Statistical Agency of Ethiopia (CSA), this town has a total population of 65,231, of whom 31,668 are men and 33,563 women. The majority of the inhabitants practiced Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity, with 94.12% reporting that as their religion, while 3.32% of the population said they were Muslim and 2.15% were Protestants.[1]

The 1994 national census reported a total population for Debre Birhan of 38,717 in 8,906 households, of whom 17,918 were men and 20,799 were women. The five largest ethnic groups reported in the town were the Amhara (90.12%), the Oromo (3.94%), the Tigrayan (1.81%), the Gurage (1.60%), and the Argobba (1.20%); all other ethnic groups made up 1.33% of the population. Amharic was spoken as a first language by 93.81%, Oromiffa was spoken by 3.04%, and 1.50% spoke Tigrinya; the remaining 1.65% spoke all other primary languages reported. The majority of the inhabitants practised Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity, with 94.59% reporting that as their religion, while 4.05% were Muslim, and 1.02% reported as Protestant.[15]

Climate

[edit]

Debre Birhan is one of the coolest cities found in the subtropical zone of Ethiopia. The city has a typical subtropical highland climate (Köppen Cwb). The average annual temperature of the city during day and night hour is 20.7 °C and 8.2 °C respectively with precipitation 964mm.[16]

Climate data for Debre Birhan
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 19.5
(67.1) 		19.7
(67.5) 		20.9
(69.6) 		22.1
(71.8) 		23.8
(74.8) 		23.5
(74.3) 		19.9
(67.8) 		20.5
(68.9) 		20.9
(69.6) 		19.6
(67.3) 		19.1
(66.4) 		18.9
(66.0) 		20.7
(69.3)
Daily mean °C (°F) 12.3
(54.1) 		13.2
(55.8) 		14.4
(57.9) 		15.5
(59.9) 		16.9
(62.4) 		16.9
(62.4) 		14.6
(58.3) 		16.5
(61.7) 		15.3
(59.5) 		13.5
(56.3) 		13.0
(55.4) 		12.0
(53.6) 		14.5
(58.1)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 5.1
(41.2) 		6.8
(44.2) 		8.0
(46.4) 		8.9
(48.0) 		10.1
(50.2) 		10.3
(50.5) 		9.3
(48.7) 		10.7
(51.3) 		9.8
(49.6) 		7.4
(45.3) 		7.0
(44.6) 		5.1
(41.2) 		8.2
(46.8)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 9
(0.4) 		21
(0.8) 		57
(2.2) 		45
(1.8) 		41
(1.6) 		72
(2.8) 		319
(12.6) 		249
(9.8) 		104
(4.1) 		28
(1.1) 		15
(0.6) 		4
(0.2) 		964
(38)
Source: [17]

Local economy

[edit]

Debre Birhan is located along Ethiopian Highway 2, which connects Addis Abeba with the north of the country. The gravel road between Debre Birhan and Ankober, 42 kilometers in length, was overhauled in May 2009.[18]

The Debre Birhan Wool Factory, the first wool factory in Ethiopia, started production was 1 January 1965 with 120 spindles and 6 looms, having the capacity to process one metric ton of wool daily. In its first six months, the factory produced 7,065 blankets in a single-shift operation with a labor force of about 200, of whom 45% were women. The Derg government announced 3 February 1975 that the Debre Birhan Wool Factory was among 14 textile enterprises to be fully nationalised.[12]

Debre Birhan is also a famed center of rug making.

Education

[edit]

Debre Berhan University is located in Debre Berhan city. Amhara Region, Ethiopia. It is one of thirteen new universities which were established in 2007 by the Ethiopian government.

Landmarks

[edit]

Despite its historical importance, none of the buildings Emperor Zara Yaqob built exist today due to the fact that the sixteenth century Adal leader Ahmed ibn Ibrahim al-Ghazi ordered their destruction, and no obvious 19th century construction is visible.[19] The present church, although located on the site of the 15th century church, was built in 1906 at the orders of Emperor Menelik II.

International relations

[edit]

Debre Birhan is twinned with (sister city of)

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Census 2007 Tables: Amhara Region Archived November 14, 2010, at the Wayback Machine, Tables 2.1, 2.4, 2.5, 3.1, 3.2 and 3.4.
  2. ^ "Population Projection Towns as of July 2021" (PDF). Ethiopian Statistics Agency. 2021. Retrieved 31 May 2022.
  3. ^ Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Abyssinia: (7) Provinces and Towns" . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 1 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 86.
  4. ^ Pankhurst, Richard K. P. (1982). History of Ethiopian Towns. Wiesbaden: Franz Steiner Verlag. p. 37.
  5. ^ Pankhurst, Ethiopian Towns, p. 41
  6. ^ Sihab ad-Din Ahmad bin 'Abd al-Qader, Futuh al-Habasa: The conquest of Ethiopia, translated by Paul Lester Stenhouse with annotations by Richard Pankhurst (Hollywood: Tsehai, 2003), p. 59.
  7. ^ Sihab ad-Din Ahmad, Futuh al-Habasa, pp. 337f.
  8. ^ Pankhurst, Ethiopian Towns, pp. 188f
  9. ^ Pankhurst, Ethiopian Towns, p. 280
  10. ^ Abir, Mordechai (1968). Ethiopia: The Era of the Princes; The Challenge of Islam and the Re-unification of the Christian Empire (1769-1855). London: Longmans. pp. 152f.
  11. ^ Marcus, Harold G. (1995). The Life and Times of Menelik II: Ethiopia 1844-1913. Lawrenceville: Red Sea Press. p. 55. ISBN 1-56902-010-8.
  12. ^ a b c d "Local History in Ethiopia"[permanent dead link‍] The Nordic Africa Institute website (accessed 16 December 2007)
  13. ^ D. R. Buxton, "The Shoan Plateau and Its People: An Essay in Local Geography", Geographical Journal, 114, (1949), p. 162
  14. ^ "Opens Debre Berhan Teacher Training Center", Selected Speeches of His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie I, New York : One Drop Books, 2000, pp.76-79
  15. ^ 1994 Population and Housing Census of Ethiopia: Results for Amhara Region, Vol. 1, part 1 Archived November 15, 2010, at the Wayback Machine, Tables 2.1, 2.7, 2.10, 2.13, 2.17, Annex II.2 (accessed 9 April 2009)
  16. ^ "Climate: Debre Berhan". Retrieved 30 July 2016.
  17. ^ "Climate: Debre Birhan". Climate-Data.org. Retrieved December 21, 2017.
  18. ^ "42-km Debrebirhan-Ankober road being maintained"[permanent dead link‍], Ethiopian News Agency, 29 May 2009 (accessed 30 May 2009)
  19. ^ Dabra Birhan. Encyclopedia Aethiopica. Archived from the original on 8 March 2023. Retrieved 19 August 2022.
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