The Ge'ez Language

     The Ge'ez language is a language used in Ethiopia. It is also the liturgical language of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. Ethiopians have been using the language for over two millennia. It is distantly related to the Sabaean language which was brought to ancient Ethiopia by travelers from Arabia. Ethiopian Christians developed the Ge'ez alphabet in the 300s and have continued to use it in their liturgy. Ge'ez fell out of common usage sometime before the 1200s. Ge'ez was later developed into a new language that closely resembles its origins- Amharic. Amharic is now the national vernacular of Ethiopia and is commonly spoken by most of its citizens ("Inscribing Meaning").

    Ge'ez is an extremely artistic language. Ethiopian Christians would often combine Ge'ez letters with images in order to produce ecclesiastical art. These art forms possess a powerful aesthetic and are used by Ethiopian Christians as objects of devotion and even healing. Examples include: icons, illuminated manuscripts, and prayer scrolls. The language also has a mystical connotation as many Christians in Ethiopia believe that the scripts evokes the mysteries and origins of Christianity.  Currently, contemporary artists in Ethiopia still experiment with the Ge'ez language in their artwork to this day. One such contemporary artist is Wosene Worke Kosrof ("Inscribing Meaning"). 

    Interestingly enough, you can learn Ge'ez in the United States. The University of Washington offers two classes on the Ge'ez language where you can learn the alphabet as well as the cultural aspects of ancient Ethiopia all the way to postmodern Ethiopia ("College of Arts"). I find this language to be fascinating. I have heard it spoken before and it is absolutely stunning. Just look up the Ge'ez language on Youtube and you can find a plethora of videos of Ethiopians speaking Ge'ez. You may even find some worship services conducted in Ge'ez. Those service are especially powerful. I am lucky that there are two Ethiopian Orthodox churches in my community and I hope to visit them once Covid-19 subsides. As always, you can conduct independent investigations of the religion on your own. Peace!


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