Debarq

Debarq(Amharic:ደባርቅ) also spelledDabareqandDebark,is a town in northernEthiopia,90 kilometers north-east ofGondaron the highway between Gondar andAxum,and is in theSemien Gondar Zoneof theAmhara Region.It has a latitude and longitude of13°08′N37°54′Eand an elevation of 2850 meters above sea level.

Debarq ደባርቅ
Town
Main street of Debark
Debarq Location in Ethiopia
Coordinates:13°08′N37°54′E
Country	Ethiopia
Region	Amhara
Zone	North Gondar
Elevation	2,850 m (9,350 ft)
Population (2022)
• Total	24,700
Time zone	UTC+3(EAT)

Debarq is located on the western foothills of theSemien mountains,and nowadays serves as a starting point for hiking tours to theSemien Mountains National Park.

History

Market in Debarq

17th century

The earliest sourced mention of Debarq appears to date back to the late 17th century, serving as a stopover for replenishment to journeys and military campaigns that emperorIyasu Iundertook fromGondarto the north.

18th century

In early 1770, explorerJames Brucewas one of the earliest foreign sources to mention Debarq. Bruce noted in his journal, the contrasting and temperate climate as he passed through a market in Debarq.

Icy winds compete with the blazing sunshine and people with eyes asquint, ruined by sunlight at high altitude, walk for miles to barter on the eroding mountainside. "The country about was riddled with hermits and exiles pretending to be hermits, who lived in caves outside the bounds of normal society. The road grew progressively worse as they made their way up the mountain

— James Bruce,

19th century

In 1814, Debarq appeared on a map by travellerHenry Salt

Debarq's prosperity was due to its location on the Gondar-Massawatrade route; it is one of the stations on a route of the 1840s, according to a list compiled byAntoine Thomson d'Abbadiein hisGeodesie d'Ethiopie.Richard Pankhurstnotes that by the early 19th century its market was important enough to be one of six in Ethiopia requiring anagadras( "head of the market" ) to oversee it and collect the fees.The revenue from taxes levied on the marketplace in the 1830s paid the governor ofSemien province(Wube Haile Maryam) 3,000Maria Theresa Thalersand about as much to thenagadras.

During a clash with his rebellious nephews, EmperorTewodros IIsaw his close friend and advisor John Bell killed in battle here in 1860. Although his nephews were killed in the skirmish, and their 1700 followers immediately surrendered, he exacted vengeance the next day bybeheadingall of their men.

20th century

DuringEthiopia's occupation by Fascist Italy,Debarq was the scene of violent fighting between the fascist Italian occupiers and local Ethiopian freedom fighters. After the liberation Debarq became the capital of theSemien Awragga.

During theEthiopian Civil War,theTigrayan People's Liberation Frontlaunched an offensive against theEthiopian Army's 603rd Army Corps of theDerg,and after destroying the government forces stationed at Debarq, they controlled the town 3 January 1989.

Demographics

Based on figures from theCentral Statistical Agency,in 2005 Debarq had an estimated total population of 24,997, of whom 11,850 were males and 13,147 were females.The 1994 census reported this town had a total population of 14,474 of whom 6,235 were males and 8,239 were females. It is the largest settlement inDebarqworeda. The majority of the inhabitants practicedEthiopian Orthodox Christianity,with 84.15% reporting that as their religion, while 11.77% of the population said they wereMuslim.

Debarq was reported to have a population of about 8500 in 1984.