Gibreab Teferi

Gibreab Teferi Dasta ( Amharic: ግብረአብ ተፈሪ ደስታ; 1923 – 15 January 1988), also spelled Gebreab Teferi, was an Ethiopian activist, poet, and playwright. He was known for his deep understanding of the Ge’ez and Amharic languages.

Gibreab passed away at the age of 65 in Addis Ababa. He was one of the first pioneers of Ethiopian music and theater. As a poet, lyricist, and playwright, he created over two hundred songs, many plays, and hundreds of poems in the Amharic language. His love for his country shows clearly in his songs and plays.

In addition to his writing, Gibreab worked as a journalist, author, musician, composer, and theater director. He also served in the Imperial Army ( Amharic: ˈክቡር ዘበኛ), reaching the rank of Shalaqa-Basha. He was the main Amharic lyricist for the Ras Band at the Ras Hotel and eventually became a manager there, working there until he retired.

Life

Gibreab Teferi was born in 1923 in the Bure Damot region of Gojjam Province to his father, the Commander of the Right Brigade, Qenyazmach Teferi Dasta, and his mother, Weyzero Semagne Tasama. Gibreab married Yeshimebet Aregaye and had ten children—four boys and six girls.

Gibreab’s parents separated when he was nine months old, and he was raised by his aunt in the same region. He received primary education in traditional schools, learning to read and write through the church. He became known for quickly learning Ge'ez and studied under Aleka Teffera, who shared his love for music with the young Gibreab. At ten years old, Gibreab traveled to Addis Ababa to apply for a deaconship and was deeply impressed by the city.

In 1945, Gibreab returned to Addis Ababa and joined the Imperial Army as a deacon. During his time there, he began writing plays and lyrics, which led to the creation of a theater and music department. His plays often carried educational messages for soldiers and hidden meanings in poetry. Gibreab also wrote many lyrics for the army band, which are still appreciated today.

Gibreab wrote several notable plays, including Astyages The Cruel Leader, which tells the story of the last king of the Median Empire. His work earned him recognition from military and government officials. He also composed military marches and was skilled in playing the clarinet and the traditional krar. Later, he became a member of the Ras Band, where he wrote lyrics for many popular songs.

Other professional roles

In 1967, when the original Ras Band moved to Ghion Hotel, Gibreab chose to stay at the Ras Hotel and took on roles in management, working as a legal advisor and director of personnel. He spent many years in the hotel industry, holding positions in management and law across various Ras Hotel locations, including Genet Hotel, Assab Hotel, and Hotel D'Afrique.

Gibreab was known for his dedication and strong work ethic, earning respect from everyone he met. Even after retiring, he remained highly regarded. Throughout his career in the hospitality industry, Gibreab continued to create plays, poems, and songs.

"አራዳ ለ አራዳ ሲነፋ መለከት
ትንቡክ አርጎ ስሞ ዐይን ዐይንዋን መመልከት
ክራር አመታለሁ በየሁሉ ደጅ
እንደ አራዳ ቅኝት አላገኝም አንጂ"

— Lines from Gibreab's Oh Addis Ababa, Oh Arada Hoye

Later years and death

After retiring from the hotel industry, Gibreab worked on more plays. He translated famous plays, such as Molier's L'Amour médecin (1665) from French into Amharic.

Gibreab Teferi passed away on 14 January 1988 at Maekalawi ez Hospital. His funeral was held at Holy Trinity Cathedral, Addis Ababa.