Discover the mystery
Of  waghimra
Introduction
Waghimra is one of the special Zone of Amhara region, is bordered in east and north with Tigray in south by Semien Wollo/Lalibela/ and in west with Gondar. The area of the zone covers about 788486 km2 with a population about 418817, male 211403, female 207414 in 1999 E C.Concerning religion Orthodox Tewahido Christianity is the predominant one, that is 99.6%, 0.27%Islam and 0.13% shared by other religions, the official language of the zone is Amharic, with native language Himtana(one of the Cushitic language family  )   In climates the zone is categorized as 5.45% highland, 31, 43% temperate and 63.42% lowland.
It is endowed many cultural, historical, traditional and natural attractions, which is also inhabited by generous, proud, hospitable people. They had also the founder of Zagwe dynasty and the zone capital city is Sekota
Sekota is located 510 km away from the regional capital city Bahir Dar, 128 km from Lilibla and 720 km away from Addis Ababa which is the earliest town in north Ethiopia and it has numerous tourism attractions such as Hidmo bet ,historical cave ,open air market (on Thusday) however, these attractions of the zone and Sekota are not yet touch because of poor attention in tourism promotion and marketing strategies.
Taking in to consideration the potential of the attractions  the present Culture and Tourism Department of the Zone has making its best level of effort to attract potential visitors to the area. Among many of the attractions some are listed in this brochure.    
Bella Mountain
North part of Ethiopia is endowed impressive mountains from these spectacular   mountains the one is Bella mountain  the mountain ranges 3700m above sea level, it is the highest mountain in Waghimra  administration zone  and which is the home of different animals and vegetations species birds Hyenas  push duiker ,Klipspringer and indigenous  threes like Juniper and Olives.  For its nomination Bella there are some backgrounds. Some researchers said that as the mountain gets its name from the people Bilen migrated from Eritrea. Long time ago, these   people were inhabited in the lower part of the mountain due to this the mountain nominated its name by the name of these people Others argue that the mountain gets its name during Italian occupation when they reach to the mountain Italians surprised and attracted by the spectacular view of the mountain then they called it Bella/beautiful in Italian.

Debre woyla Maryam church
Debre Woyla Maryam church is located west of Asketma town 107 km far away from Lalibella. The church is built by Holy Father called Aba Estifanos in 13th century and this church is the most marvelous and the richest in holy treasures in Waghimra zone.
In legend the earliest church building Materials has been brought from Jerusalem example the pillars, wood door, Redstone however the old church is destroyed by flood before 20years.To list some holy treasures of the church Cross, big Drum(Negaret) presented by Gragn, Kettles of holy water, Ahmad Ibn Ibrahim ( Gragns Mohammed’s )horse drinking plate old aged seal with St marry pictures etc.When some one visit the church can enjoy sightseeing of Woyla rivers gorge  and the spectacular view of Bella mountain.In 1527 Atse Libne Dengle was hidden here to escape from Ahmad Ibn Ibraahim( Gragn Mohammed as local people ) when Gragn heard Libne Dengls’ hiding place he tried to burn the church at that time the church released blood tears to extinguish the fire and the bee swarm also cooperate to attack Gragn Mehammed and his horses.Ahmad himself surprised by the event and gave his horse drinking plate and the drum to the church due to these gifts the church is called Gragn Mohammed’s empress.During celebration of the church Aril 21 every year an amusing event is taking place white birds are come to the church from Jerusalem. As the local community and priests said if the birds do not appear during the celebration, they believe that there will be occurred drought and famine in the area.

Keta Maryam churchThe church is situated east of Asketema town at a distance of 3 km. The church was established in the reign of Atse Kaleb 6th century. This long aged church is covered with indigenous trees like olives and Juniper there is also an opportunity to see different bird species 
Surprise there is a dried burned wood by the time Ahmad still standing there for evidence

.Wukir Meskele kirstos Rockhewn churchThis spectacular unique and unusual impressive church is situated 5 km far away south east of Sekota. The church is curved from single rock in the reign of king Kaleb /495-525/. The church has seven parts 4 doors 5 pillars, 14 windows and the cave with door that run to north up to Axum  and to south up to Lalibela (according to the priests),on the ceiling different type of cross shapes are observed.Some visitors and researchers called it «The Father of Lalibela Churches» because of its long ages; it is order than Lalibela churches. It seems that the church is an initial point for rock hewn church of Lalibela.
In 1951 E C unprofessional restoration was made by Wag Shum Getaneh
Wukir Meskele kirstos Rockhewn churchWoybla Maryam church
Which is one of the oldest church in Waghimar Zone, Pentateuch scarification had took place with in the cave at a place Gudguda from Gudguda it brought by 3rd wagshume/local lord Jurwosen.in time of. Sekota town, established probably in 7th century.
During Italian invasion ancient antiquities like Gold cross, Holy cup are destroyed. At present attractive silver drums and tomb of Wagshums are the most visited attractions of the church.

 

Hidmo Bet
These are long aged ground plus one building (houses) constructed from mud and stone traditionally. These buildings are similar with Axumite houses. Before it was grass roofed but at this time some are changed in to tin roof. Of course the design is still original.                        

Life Savor Cave This cave is built by EPRDF to escape from jet bombardment in the time of military government Derg. It is very historical cave that made big favour for the people of Sekota town because it saves many peoples' life. When some one enter in to the cave can get 1m depth entrance door, in left and right side windows are located for light entrance
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 During the civil war the cave was given a service for store of books and armaments.

Lalibela Rock Road
In legend the local people called the road of lalibella, which is the road that God indicates for king Lalibella from Axume to Roha and the king had a journey on the rock.
The rock seems like a wall that built by skilled Engineers. Whatever the legend said about it the road is so impressive and attractive .Distinguishgly, it can be seen from distant, (3 km east of Sekota town), no one cannot be impressed by its look. Tsaka kirkos 
The church is situated 8 km far from Sekota town to northwest. Near the church 14 letters Inscriptions are there in the cave. Still there is no any study is made on the inscriptions additionally near the inscriptions fossils of Wagshum and other people fossils located that killed by the time of Ahmad (Mohammed.) Festivals
Epiphany 
The festival occurs on Jan 19 every year.  On the eve at about 3 P .m congregations of ecclesiastics carrying a tabot /Ark/ and being accompanied by the faithful people to the baptismal water places. Through out the night the service will continue and on the morrow comes the brilliant scene of the festival.The bishop or priest and his clerics appear to the edge of the baptismal place and attendants of the rite will gather round waiting for spraying of the blessed water. The bishop or one of the priests blesses the water with processional cross and splashes it over the crowd who are waiting eagerly redemption of their sins.  Then comes the colorful return occasion wring which the feast attains its zenith. Every body sees full of life and sprits. The hymns from reverend clerics, the chanting and dancing of gay and beautiful girls the handsome boys and of great men resonated through out the town roads. At about 5 pm the processions will arrive at their respective churches are the feast will comes to its end. 

Shadey FestivalShadey is the most colorful and attractive women’s festival the word Shadey Derived from the grass they use for the celebration of the festival and which celebrated Aug16-21 E.C. The festival has religious backgrounds; the religious leaders associated with st Mar yams resurrection and rise up to the haven angles where clubs, praise spiritual songs were took place then after girls accepted and transferred to this world. Due to this legend the festival become girls' festival, the festival is celebrated by wearing colorful traditional clothes. The festival is also a big opportunity to see traditional dressing style, competition of girls in traditional music.The festival begins nearby churches to give thanks, praise in reaching for the celebration in peace, healthy, they put down also the white part of shaday leaves to church as a gift and pray to God for the next year to reach in peace, healthy and prosperity. After church they go to elder people or to the local leader house with playing traditional music from these people they get a gift.In the second and third day they play different traditional music in the street of Sekota town. Finally the festival ended by wedding ceremony (bride and bride –groom ceremony) Wardahoye Traditional Game
This traditional game is conducting every year from September 1-16E.C. This long aged game is celebrated during night time Especially it is very lovely game by male youngsters, youngsters dividing themselves in different group. First they warmed the circle black stone by fire and they start the competition. After the stone is warmed then throwing in to the field the most competent group will catch and turn in to the fire place.
The group that catch and turn the stone in to the fire place will be the winner of the game.

Aba Yohannes Michael church
The church is located west of Sekota far about 10km at right side of Dehanna road. The church was established by wagshum Kinfu in 18th century.Really the church is unique and majestic in its high quality traditional painting. Still the paintings are attractive, impressive and imaginative to see them these marvelous painting was painted by ato Meresa who painted Chelekot Sellasie church in Tigray
Additionally the church has very old bell and impressive cross gifted from Wag Shum kinfu the place is also accessible to be visited by tourists.

Ahmad Ibn Ibrahim/Gragn stelea/
Around Chilla 45 Km distant from Sekota to west direction with sightseeing, the opposite side of Bella mountain the stelea are stand  by gragn in 14th C. In legend he put the stone to show his strongest to his opponents, the stelea have rectangular shape. The one is stand in side Chilia elementary school by displacing from the original place for protection but the other is still stand in the original place.

 

Near the stelea two plies of stones situated .That plied by Ahmad's soldiers to show the number of his soldiers for his power opponents and to create fear and frustration on the highland Christian kings. Note the war was not religious war it is just to take power from the highland Christian kinks and to put the trade routes under his control.

Debr loza wukir Maryam
The church situated 55 km to west direction from Skota town and which is built in 6thc by the reign of Atse Kaleb it is long aged rock hewn church. Indeed its some part is built stone by mud; the whole part of the holiest is in side the rock.
Astonishingly, there is natural rock storage in the church that uses to put holy treasures of the church. There is also an opportunity to see the traditional priest school hut in front of the church.
 Fertata tree HouseFertata tree house situated 64 km of Sekota to North West direction (Zuqaula district). The tree has one entrance door, 5 m height and 4 m width and gives a house services, can accommodate up to 50 people as the local people experience but as the writer observation it accommodates 15-30 people and it is naturally hewn treeDuring EPRDF Struggle the tree had a big role to hide armaments, you may wonder to hear but it is true come and see the reality
Bahir Kidane Mehiret Monastery
The monastery located north of Sekota at distant 52 km /estimation/ the church became a monastery in 1870 E.C. The present church is built in 1961 E.C by special instruction of King Atse Haile Sellasie. 
The monastery is called «The Desert Paradise» the nomination is associated with its location the area is semi desert contradictory, the monastery is green and covered by long indigenous trees. Additionally the monks irrigation farms specially from October to January Banana, lemon fruits are surplus this paradise monastery avoids physical, psychological stress and gives serenity for visitors. The monastery has holy antiquities that given from different kings like parchment books, holy gold cup, crosses and, letters written from different government officials just to list some.

 

Note manmade lake and water fall of Tekeze River, Red fox and Selamge Maryam church are expected to be best destinations in the future.At this time Sekota is in fast social, economic, and political development conditions so, visitors can get the following services.Transport  suitable roadCommunication postal, fixed and mobile phone services Water                 potable water Medical service  one hospitalInternet service and fax service  Bank service  commercial bank of Ethiopia Interment cinema  hol.

 

Possible Itineraries
Day 1   Taking picnic lunch from Lalibela drive north of Lalibela enjoying sight seeing of the area, visiting Keta Maryam church faraway about 97km from lablibela. This church is rich in bird species, church antiquities. Break time at Asketema small town and drive or foot walk 7km west of the town, to the oldest and historical Debre Woyla church.
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Then drive to Sekota enjoying sightseeing of Bella Mountain /3700 m above  sea level/ and the final tour of the day will be after visiting the 6th c unusual Meskele Kirstos rockhewn church overnight Sekota at your recommended place. Day 2   In the morning drive to west of Sekota to visit Aba Yohannes Michael church that adorned in quality traditional paintings and continue to Chilla 45 Km away with enjoying the opposite sightseeing of Bella Mountain and visiting Ahmad stelea and the 6thc of Wuker Maryam rockhewn church then drive back to sekota overnight Sekota.
 
Day 3 After early breakfast drive to Zuquala 65 Km distance to visit the historical Fertata tree house and on the way Israel's migrant people tomb then drive back to Sekota and after lunch city tour to visit old aged traditional building churches and manmade cave built by EPRDF (Ethiopian People Republic Democratic Front)Day 4   Drive to North of Sekota with sightseeing of the area to visit Bahir Kidane Mehiret monstery that called The Desert Paradise then drive to Tigray to visit axum via mekele or Aby Adi road
.For time budget VisitorsDay 1  Taking picnic lunch visiting Attraction from lalibela to Sekota overnight Sekota.
Day 2   Drive to north of Sekota to visit Bahir Kidane Mehirit monastery then drive to Tigray to visit Axum Via Mekle or Aby Adi road.Distances from Lalibbela to Axum through Korem 505km, but from Lalibela to Axum through Sekota is 378km there is 127km difference.AccommodationsMamo zegeye pension phone number 0334400116/ 0911744374. They also provide food and beverage services with good standard 30 bed roomsAbayu Asres pension phone number 0334400746/     has good standard 40 bed roomsTadesse hotel phone number 0334400015                  Pastries/CafesSyum café phone number 0334400092 Shamrock café phone number 0334400001/02 Henok café phone number 0334402616Note there are many accommodations we list only some for our purposes.For every Visitor and tour Operators our office cooperation is with you.Note entrance 15 birr for each
For more information contact