# Debtera

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Itinerant intellectual religious figure in the Orthodox Tewahedo Church

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A **debtera** (or **dabtara**;[1] [Ge'ez](/source/Ge'ez_language)/[Tigrinya](/source/Tigrinya_language)/[Amharic](/source/Amharic_language): ደብተራ (*Däbtära)*; plural, Ge'ez\Tigrinya: *debterat*, Amharic: *debtrawoch* [2]) is an [itinerant](https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/itinerant) religious figure in the [Ethiopian](/source/Ethiopian_Orthodox_Tewahedo_Church) and [Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo Churches](/source/Eritrean_Orthodox_Tewahedo_Church),[3] and the [Beta Israel](/source/Beta_Israel),[4] who sings [hymns](/source/Hymns) and dances for churchgoers, and who performs [exorcisms](/source/Exorcism) and [white magic](/source/White_magic) to aid the congregation.[1][5][6] A debtera will claim an ecclesiastical identity[7] and behave as in [minor orders](/source/Minor_orders).[8] They may in fact be officially ordained as [deacons](/source/Deacon),[1] or may act outside the Church hierarchy.[9] They are usually feared by the local population.[5][1]

## Official education and duties

According to Christian tradition, the debtera's music was developed by [Yared](/source/Yared), a saint.[10]

A painting of performing debteras

Debteras are usually chosen from families of other debteras, and are trained from childhood[11] as [scribes](/source/Scribe)[9] (learning [Geʽez](/source/Ge%CA%BDez)[8][11]) and as [cantors](/source/Cantor_(Christianity)). They are often taught [traditional medicine](/source/Traditional_medicine) and lay [rites](/source/Ritual) as well.[12] While studying, they often live by [begging](/source/Begging), [retailing](/source/Retail), or practicing traditional medicine.[11] The main purpose for their studies, however, is written and oral lore pertaining to religious functions, and the test for graduation is memorizing the [psalter](/source/Psalter). Before services, they bathe and don white clothing, turbans,[11] and a loose striped over-garment called a *shamma*. Debteras carry prayer sticks to the service, where they sing, dance, and play drums and [sistra](/source/Sistrum) outside the church or the [synagogue](/source/Synagogue) during religious services.[10]

Priests (Beta Israel equivalent *Kahens*) and *debteras* are two separate professions,[13] though it is possible to pursue both roles.[14] The [Orthodox Tewahedo](/source/Orthodox_Tewahedo) churches see the division between a priest and a debtera as following the model used by the ancient Israelites.[15]

### Debteras in the Ethiopian Church

During Lenten services, *debteras* tap prayer sticks to keep the rhythm. The Ethiopian Church condones the performances of *debteras*, citing the story in [2 Kings](/source/2_Kings) of [David](/source/David) dancing at the temple and [Psalm 47:1](https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Bible_(King_James)/Psalms#47:1) ("[O clap your hands](/source/Psalm_47)") for Biblical examples. These performances also feature symbols connected to the [Passion of Jesus](/source/Passion_of_Jesus): the sistrum's swaying and the beating of the drums represent Christ's swaying while enduring beatings, and the tapping of the prayer sticks represent the [flagellation of Christ](/source/Flagellation_of_Christ).[13]

### Among the Beta Israel

Among the Beta Israel, the status of debtera is a milestone in the study to become a [kahen](/source/Kahen). Unlike fully-fledged kahens, who perform none of the functions of the debtera, debteras are closer to the laypeople, often serving as intermediaries between them and the clergy. A kahen who gives up his position or is deposed may serve as a debtera.[4]

## Religio-magical healing

Debteras participate in liturgy as singers and musicians and, outside the Church religio-magical healers by performing as herbalists, astrologers, fortune-tellers etc. Some Ethiopian authors consider these healers as ‘spiritual healers’ whereas, they are purely religio-magical healers.[16] Some duties taken on by Debteras are not sanctioned by the Ethiopian Church. Many debteras distribute contraceptive herbs to women and perform magic meant to perform contraceptive functions, in contradiction to the Ethiopian Church's modern official stances.[17] Some are also reputed to study [black magic](/source/Black_magic) invoking [demons](/source/Demon) alongside their more benevolent official learning.[12]

Some Debteras traditionally manufacture [apotropaic amulets](/source/Apotropaic_magic) meant to protect the wearer from evil spirits.[6] These amulets are often made of silver and are noted for their use against the [evil eye](/source/Evil_eye) or [buda](/source/Buda_(folklore)) and against [zār](/source/Z%C4%81r) spirits. They may also study a variety of anti-magic invocations, [prayers](/source/Prayer), and exorcisms. These exorcisms may include prayers, blessing of [holy water](/source/Holy_water) (which the possessed person drinks), burning of roots, and incantations from a *Magic Star Book*.[8] Some amulets may take the form of small scrolls kept in pouches or similar containers, made from the skin of a sacrificed goat or lamb whose blood is used to ritually purify the intended owner.[18] Some practice (or rather circumvent) [astrology](/source/Astrology), by giving unlucky people new stars by changing their names. This may be considered "cheating" by the locals, however. Some Debteras have also been noted to use jimsonweed ([Datura stramonium](/source/Datura_stramonium)) to cause hallucinations.[12]

A debtera may charge a fee for his charms, exorcisms, and astrological practices, but not liturgical activities.[19]

Not all of the Debteras duties and cures are [supernatural](/source/Supernatural). Debteras place [scarecrows](/source/Scarecrow) in farm fields to protect them and shave heads to prevent [head louse](/source/Head_louse) outbreaks.[1] Before the [Ethiopian Revolution](/source/Ethiopian_Revolution), nobles would often hire Debteras to educate their children.[12]

Major theological difference in the healing practices of priests or kahens and debteras is that for the priests/kahens, sin versus virtue or evil spirits versus God is the basis for any sickness and healing. Therefore, they prescribe prayer, [holy water](/source/Holy_water), [baptism](/source/Baptism), fasting, and penance as a remedy. For the debteras it is evil spirit versus human beings; almost all the sickness are possession of evil spirits or caused by evil spirits, therefore, prayer and holy water become the integral part of any ritualistic religious healing ceremony. Besides these, *kitab* or amulets are also prepared and give by them to be worn to ward away the evil spirits and the *buda*.[*[clarification needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Please_clarify)*][*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

On the other hand, the priests or kahens use the practice of confession, fasting, penance and Church attendance as a means of healing together with some sort of advice and guidance. The soul-father, called *yenafs abbat*, is a kind of family spiritual-doctor, common in many places makes frequent visits to the home and performs services as required.

## See also

- [Ethiopian chant](/source/Ethiopian_chant) (*Zema*)

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Finneran_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Finneran_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Finneran_1-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Finneran_1-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-Finneran_1-4) [Ethiopian evil eye belief and the magical symbolism of iron working, by Niall Finneran, Folklore 114 (2003):427-433](https://www.jstor.org/discover/10.2307/30035127?uid=3739896&uid=2&uid=4&uid=3739256&sid=21100952249093)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Wolf Leslau, *Comparative Dictionary of Geʻez (Classical Ethiopic): Geʻez-English, English-Geʻez, with an index of the Semitic roots*, Otto Harrassowitz Verlag, 1987, [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9783447025928](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9783447025928), p. 122

1. **[^](#cite_ref-crc_3-0)** [Glossary](http://www.crcstudio.org/eritrean/Pages/glossary.php?s=glossary#DEBTERA) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20181121094442/http://www.crcstudio.org/eritrean/Pages/glossary.php?s=glossary#DEBTERA) 2018-11-21 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine), Eritrean Print and Oral Culture, hosted on Canada Research Chair Humanities Computing Studio.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Greenfield_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Greenfield_4-1) Isaac Greenfield, "The Debtera and the education among Ethiopian Jewry until the arrival of Dr. Faitlovitch" in Menachem Waldman (ed.), *Studies in the History of Ethiopian Jews*, Habermann Institute of Literary Research, 2011, pp. 109-135 (Hebrew)

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Mirecki_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Mirecki_5-1) [Magic and Ritual in the Ancient World, Part 4 edited by Paul Allan Mirecki, Marvin W. Meyer, Published by BRILL, 2002, p.170](https://books.google.com/books?id=xMDHgzjSU_MC&dq=debtera&pg=PA170)

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Turner_6-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Turner_6-1) Turner, John W. "Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity: Faith and practices". [A Country Study: Ethiopia](http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/ettoc.html) (Thomas P. Ofcansky and LaVerle Berry, eds.) [Library of Congress](/source/Library_of_Congress) [Federal Research Division](/source/Federal_Research_Division) (1991), [public domain](http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/about.html)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** [Encyclopedia of African and African-American Religions By Stephen D. Glazier, published by Taylor & Francis, 16 Jan 2001, p.134](https://books.google.com/books?id=pF6MxGrqdUwC&dq=debtera&pg=PA134)

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Geleta_8-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Geleta_8-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Geleta_8-2) [Case Study: Demonization and the Practice of Exorcism in Ethiopian Churches by Amsalu Tadesse Geleta](http://www.lausanne.org/en/documents/all/nairobi-2000/187-ethiopian-case-study.html). The Lausanne Movement, Nairobi 2000.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Glazier124_9-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Glazier124_9-1) [Encyclopedia of African and African-American Religions By Stephen D. Glazier, published by Taylor & Francis, 16 Jan 2001, p.124](https://books.google.com/books?id=pF6MxGrqdUwC&dq=debtera&pg=PA125)

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Munro-Hay_p52-53_10-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Munro-Hay_p52-53_10-1) [Munro-Hay, Stuart](/source/Stuart_Munro-Hay) (2002). [*Ethiopia, the Unknown Land: A Cultural and Historical Guide*](https://books.google.com/books?id=NWNTfztz5KoC&pg=PA53). I.B.Tauris. p. 53. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-86064-744-4](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-86064-744-4).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Kaufman_11-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Kaufman_11-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Kaufman_11-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Kaufman_11-3) [Kaufman Shelemay, Kay](/source/Kay_Kaufman_Shelemay); [Jeffery, Peter](/source/Peter_Jeffery) (1993). [*Ethiopian Christian liturgical chant: an anthology: Part 2: Performance Practice; The Liturgical Portions*](https://books.google.com/books?id=FFkFYKGv4XUC&pg=PA3). A-R Editions, Inc. pp. 3–6. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-89579-294-5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-89579-294-5).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Molvaer_12-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Molvaer_12-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Molvaer_12-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Molvaer_12-3) [Molvaer, Reidulf Knut](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Reidulf_Knut_Molvaer&action=edit&redlink=1) (1995). [*Socialization and Social Control in Ethiopia*](https://books.google.com/books?id=F6dW0EPJiVAC&pg=PA34). Otto Harrassowitz Verlag. pp. 34, 44, 50, 67, 70, 111, 142, and 259. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-3-447-03662-7](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-3-447-03662-7).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Munro-Hay_p47_13-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Munro-Hay_p47_13-1) [Munro-Hay, Stuart](/source/Stuart_Munro-Hay) (2002). [*Ethiopia, the Unknown Land: A Cultural and Historical Guide*](https://books.google.com/books?id=NWNTfztz5KoC&pg=PA47). I.B.Tauris. p. 47. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-86064-744-4](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-86064-744-4).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** Crummey, Donald (2000). [*Land and Society in the Christian Kingdom of Ethiopia: From the Thirteenth to the Twentieth Century*](https://books.google.com/books?id=Di0w6h0qHGMC&pg=PA174). University of Illinois Press. p. 174. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-252-02482-5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-252-02482-5).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** Milkias, Paulos (2011). [*Ethiopia*](https://books.google.com/books?id=Iu9mnXhvSswC&pg=PA175). ABC-CLIO. p. 175. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-59884-258-6](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-59884-258-6).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Janetius,_S.T_2016_16-0)** Janetius, S.T. Abyssinia in the New Millennium (Revised Edition), 2016. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9783659710629](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9783659710629)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** [Encyclopaedia Aethiopica](/source/Encyclopaedia_Aethiopica) (2003). [*Encyclopaedia Aethiopica: He-N*](https://books.google.com/books?id=l4WUdKWGcYsC&pg=PA4). Otto Harrassowitz Verlag. p. 4. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-3-447-05607-6](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-3-447-05607-6).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** [Description of Ethiopian Magic Scroll](http://www.medievalportland.pdx.edu/?q=ethiopian-magic-scroll) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20131215080631/http://www.medievalportland.pdx.edu/?q=ethiopian-magic-scroll) 2013-12-15 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine) at [Portland State University](/source/Portland_State_University)'s [Medieval Portland site](http://www.medievalportland.pdx.edu/) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20130506171005/http://www.medievalportland.pdx.edu/) 2013-05-06 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** Lulat, Y. G-M (2005). [*A History of African Higher Education from Antiquity to the Present: A Critical Synthesis: A Critical Synthesis*](https://books.google.com/books?id=J00xEkY-vTEC&pg=PA56). ABC-CLIO. p. 56. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-313-06866-9](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-313-06866-9).

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Debtera](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Debtera) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Debtera?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.