Geʽez as a Connecting Factor for All Africans & Finalized the unfinished business
ANU Press Release
29.10.2025
Just as Latin served as a unifying cultural and intellectual foundation for Western civilization, linking people across Europe through script, religion, education, and scholarship, Geʽez could play a similar role for Africa, especially in the Horn and beyond.
1. Historical and Cultural Depth
• Geʽez is one of the oldest written languages in Africa, with a continuous literary tradition dating back over 3,500 years. It is a symbol of Habesha Agaezi Ethiopian civilization as well.
• It is the root of several modern Ethiopian and Eritrean languages (like Amharic, Tigrinya, Tigre, Gurage, Harare, Gamo, Zey, etc).
• Reviving awareness of Geʽez connects Africans to a shared indigenous heritage — showing that Africa has complex writing, theology, and philosophy long before colonization.
2. Intellectual and Spiritual Heritage
• Geʽez is the liturgical language of the Ethiopian and Eritrean Orthodox Churches, preserving vast collections of African philosophy, theology, science, and literature. Currently, there are more than 70 million Tewahdo Orthodox church users of Geez at daily bases and there are more than 40 higher institutions, universities that teach Geez globally and mainly at the European and American level universities.
• It represents an authentic African intellectual tradition, parallel to what Latin did for Europe through the Catholic Church.
3. Pan-African Symbolism
• As Latin became a cultural link for Europeans, Geʽez could serve as a symbol of African unity and renaissance, reminding Africans of a shared capacity for scholarship, literacy, and civilization.
• Promoting the study of Geʽez across Africa could help reclaim historical pride and foster Pan-African consciousness, finalizing the unfinished independence revolution in Africa.
4. Educational and Cultural Revitalization
• Teaching Geʽez as a classical African language (like Latin or Ancient Greek in Europe) could:
o Strengthen cultural identity,
o Encourage research in ancient African manuscripts, and
o Connect modern Africans to their historical roots.
In summary: Geʽez can be to Africa what Latin is to Europe a unifying cultural, linguistic, and intellectual foundation symbolizing shared heritage and wisdom.
In fact, Geʽez is an ancient language and civilization script can be the strong element among the factors that connect and promote national unity in Ethiopia. For instance, let me list the main national unity connecting factors specific to the Ethiopian (Ge’ez) context:
1. Common History and Heritage of Geez
• Ethiopia has a long, shared history of independence (never colonized except for a short Italian occupation).
• This proud heritage unites people around a shared national identity.
• The legacy of ancient kingdoms such as Aksum, where Ge’ez was used, strengthens cultural pride.
2. Shared National Symbols of Geez
• The Ethiopian flag, national anthem, and national holidays (like Gurae, Gundet and Adwa Victory Day) bring citizens together.
• These symbols remind people of collective struggles and victories.
3. Strong National Institutions and Geez governance
• Developing a civic national Constitution, federal government, and rule of law that aim to protect all ethnic and regional groups equally.
• When applied fairly, these promote equality and national unity.
4. Common Languages and shared Geez script
• Although Ethiopia is multilingual, Geez script-Amharic (and historically Ge’ez) serve as symbols of national communication and cultural unity.
• Promoting language respect and mutual understanding helps connect diverse groups.
5. Education curriclum shift towards Geez based philosophy and application
• Education fosters shared national values, civic responsibility, and understanding among Ethiopia’s many ethnic groups.
• Schools teach national history and patriotism.
6. Geez Based Religion and Tolerance
• Ethiopia is known for religious diversity — mainly Orthodox Christianity, Islam, and Protestantism — and a tradition of coexistence.
• Religious tolerance promotes peaceful coexistence and unity.
• All religions in Ethiopia can use Geez script an effective and efficient literature than any other scripts in the world.
7. Geez Based Media and Communication
• National radio, television, and online platforms can spread messages of peace, unity, and development across all regions.
8. Equality and Justice of Geez
• Fair treatment of all citizens, regardless of ethnicity or religion, builds trust in the nation.
• Justice and inclusion reduce division.
9. Inter-Regional Interaction of Geez People
• Trade, migration, and intermarriage between regions and ethnic groups strengthen social ties and mutual understanding.
10. National Development and Shared Prosperity of Geez Civilization
• When all regions benefit from development and infrastructure, citizens feel part of one shared national goal — progress.
In short: National unity in Geezawit Ethiopia is strengthened by shared Geez history, Geez narration, equality, common Geez values, and respect for diversity in both Ethiopia and Eritrea as Habesha Agaezi Ethiopians.
Hence, we all Habesha Agaezi (Geez community) need to unite and struggle for our survival together. ANU is determined to play its leadership and organizational role in shaping this generational mission and vision.
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