Poetry Primer

EOTC Trad School Review

Editorial Note:

Dcn. Menkr is an incredible young man, who seized the day during the pandemic, and beyond, by dedicating himself to the art and science of qiné. As a fully online student, he is an example par excellence for our internet age. Eat from the fruit of his labor.

Written by: Dcn. Menkr Yemane, EOTC Professor of Poetry

What is qiné?

Qiné is a form of poetic literature, in which we use the ancient tongue ge’ez (Classical Ethiopic) to explain spiritual, political, and economic events and situations.

History of qiné

Qiné is a type of poetry used in the EOTC for centuries. This specific type of poetry comes out of the Geez Word qeneye, meaning to take control of. The word points to the concept of qiné and its ability to control one’s mind when thinking of/for it. This ancient style of poetry can be traced back to a man named Yohanis Geblawee. Yohanis was known to have started the practice, making specific guidelines for the way qiné is formulated.

Learning qiné

Qiné typically takes anywhere from 1 to 3 years to learn. The time can vary vastly depending on the students usage of time, and prior experience with ge’ez. Qiné students are known to deal with the worst living conditions within the church’s many offered classes, as it’s a class that usually contains many students, making begging for food (for yourself and as tribute to your master) problematic in the areas where it is traditionally taught. In regards to the very real threat of starvation, students in the capital city adees abeba, and abroad, have it easier.

Types of Poems

1. ጉባኤ ቃና (gubaé qana)

2. ዘአምላኪየ (ze’amlakeeye)

3. ሚ በዝኁ (mee bezhu)

4. ዋዜማ (wazéma)

5. ሥላሴ (silasé)

6. ዘይእዜ (ze’yiizé)

7. መወድስ (mewedis)

8. ክብር ይእቲ (kbr yiitee)

9. ዕጣነ ሞገር (iTane moger)

Poem Breakdown

gubaé qana

This type of poem is a two-liner entitled the Gathering at Cana (of Galilee), mainly used during sibhate negh (matins). It is especially recited on Wednesdays and Fridays (regular fasting days called the fast of salvation, but for the fifty days after pascha), since it mainly points to the sufferings of Christ. On Wednesday they gathered against him. And on Friday they crucified him.

ze’amlakeeye

This type of poem is a three-liner entitled of my God.

mee bezhu

This type of poem is also a three-liner, and is entitled how are they increased, after the common refrain from the Psalms and opener to Psalm 3.

wazéma

This type of poem is a five-liner entitled what a hymn, which is a quote from the St. Yaréd the Aksumite’s reaction to the heavenly praise he heard from the angels above when mystically transported to their realm. A secondary meaning is eve, as in the evening service before a holiday.

silasé

This type of poem is a six-liner entitled Trinity, and is mainly used during the Mystery of Matrimony, funerals, and wazémas of annual and biannual feasts.

ze’yiizé

This type of poem is also a five-liner, and is entitled of today/now.

mewedis

This type of poem is entitled the means of praise, and it is used during: the Great Fast, funerals of clergy, and during sibhate negh.

kbr yiitee

This type of poem is a four-liner entitled she is honorable/glorious (kbr is the same Semitic root as the Arabic akbar in allahu akbar, commonly translated God is great), and is reserved exclusively for the arrival of the eucharist to the part of the sanctuary where the faithful receive.

iTane moger

This type of poem is an eleven-liner entitled rising incense, and is restricted for after the arrival of the eucharist, but before its container returns to the inner sanctuary.

Poem Performance

Qiné is usually done inside of the church with one person standing behind another. The person behind recites an original message, and the person in front repeats the words in song, following a strict system of melodies. This usually happens in the middle of the service, and during high holidays a professor of poetry can be asked on the spur of the moment to provide a poem. Local practices may vary.

Sample Poem:

ምሳሌ፦ ዕዝል ጉባኤ ቃና

ለጸብሕ ሞት ጸዋሚ መልአከ ሰማይ ኀደጋ፣

ጸብሕ ሞት እስመ ተሠርዐት በሥጋ።

misalé izl gubaé qana

le’tsebh mot tsewamee melake semay hadega

tsebh mot isme teser3t be’siga

The fasting angel of heaven refused this stew, death. Because this stew, death, consists of the flesh (meat).

Wax: The Wax, or outer layer (basic meaning), is contrasting the nature of angels, how they cannot die, to the character of a human who is fasting, and how they would refrain from consuming meat.

Gold: The Gold, or inner layer (hidden meaning), according to their creation, angels cannot do fleshly things (like dying).

P.S.