Ethiopian Folktales

Narrated by Worku Mersha

Once the king of Gojjam^{Formerly a province in north-western Ethiopia.}, King Tekla Haimanot, disobeyed the Emperor Yohannes. So Yohannes invaded Gojjam and after three month they were reconciled. The king of kings (Yohannes), going to Metema^{The battle of Metema between the Sudanese Mahdists and the Ethiopians – more commonly known as the battle of Gallabat – took place in 1889. The Emperor Johannes IV was killed during the battle.}, was killed by the Mahdists. King Tekla Haimanot called a service for mourning in Debre Marcos.

One Gojjami and one woman of Gojjam who sang mourning songs wrote the following poem^{The fact that the Emperor Yohannes IV was well-known as a devout Christian strengthens the sting of the poem.}:

He hasn’t eaten with us or drunk with us or shared our goods.
But even so,
Mohammed Abdullah, the Mahdist, has revenged our blood.
Allah, in whom he has put his trust, shall bless his son.

When he heard this, King Tekla Haimanot was angry and he sent the woman to prison.

Right away another woman stood up and said:
The road has been well prepared and the way has been well paved.
As the Emperor went, so let the king follow.

Therefore the mourners were laughing and went away.