Introduction by Jerome Matiyas


Selamta! Hello and welcome!
This is the second edition of DEB ANBESA: Ethiopia's History, Heritage, Culture & Natural Attractions by Mr. Hailemariam Efrem. Mr. Efrem asked me to assist him in publishing his exceptional book describing the history, culture, legends, religions, and people of Ethiopia on Amazon in order to have it available to Ethiopians living outside of Ethiopia. The book has been published, printed, and distributed in the country of Ethiopia since 2013, Ethiopian calendar. (2021 Georgian/Western calendar).


It was written exclusively it the Ethiopic/Fidel script of the region and is not available in English or any other languages at this time. Mr. Efrem and I met in 2019 (2011 Ethiopian calendar) in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia. He was my tour guide for part if my historical tour of northern Ethiopia as he took me on a guided tour from Bahir Dar to the sacred monasteries in the Islands of Lake T'ana. He also took me to the Tis Issat /Abay Water Fall. Then we drove by tour van to the legendary city of Gondar through the mountains and countryside between Lake Tana and the Semien Mountains.


In Gondar, he took me to the region where the Beta Israel people (Ethiopian Jews) once lived and thrived for centuries, the Fasilides Bath, and the amazing Fassil Ghebbi Castle compound. He then invited me to have the pleasure of speaking in his English language class where I recounted my adventures exploring Ethiopia, the land that inspired the background for my story and art in my illustrated novel, MEKONNEN: The Warrior of Light, part 1.


It is amazing how Mr. Efrem is able to articulate the subject matter in an engaging way. He also hired several local artists to illustrate the many historical figures, palaces, artifacts, and locations in Ethiopia through its illustrious 3000-year history.
Since then Mr. Efrem and I have kept in touch and remained friends. I visited Ethiopia three times after that initial meeting with this very knowledgeable and informative author. He is well known in his community in Gondar for promoting and advocating Ethiopian culture, religion, and history.


It is my pleasure to introduce his book Deb Anbesa to Ethiopians living outside of their homeland that may get a copy of this book from Amazon.


Jerome Matiyas
Author & Artist
June 2022 (western calendar)