Rachel (Yeshrat) Melku

Father's name: Melku Badago

Mother's name: Hewut Yizchak

Year of birth: 1937

Place of birth: Wefargef, Welkait

Region in Ethiopia: Welkait

Main occupation in Ethiopia: Potter and housewife

The language of the interview: Tigrinya

Rachel (Yeshrat) Melku, nature, agriculture, shepherding, housewife, potter, wedding, matchmaking, slaves, social classes, death, burial, customs and traditions, letters, soldier, guards, weapon, hospitality, wealth, festivals and special occasions, songs, games, coffee ceremony, buna, red heifer, housework, Italians, Derg, Emperor Haile Selassie, Wefargef, Welkait, Shire, Gamo, Tsaloulo, Humera.

Summary of the testimony:

Rachel describes her family tree, her village, and its local history. When Rachel was a child, her grandmother sent a letter with merchants, asking Rachel’s parents to come and take care of her and make the necessary preparations for her death. Her parents acquiesced. Rachel and her family took care of her grandmother for seven years.

When she was a child, her mother did not allow her to participate in tasks outside of the house. Rachel would sneak away with her friends when they went to bring water and firewater. While working, they used to play, sing songs, and swim in the river. Inside the house, Rachel’s favorite task was preparing and conducting the coffee ceremony. She describes the various stages of the ceremony.

When she was six years old, her parents arranged a marriage for her with the son of a Kes, but her father refused to marry her off until she reached the age of 12. Rachel talks about the customs of matchmaking and the wedding. She describes what the families looked for in each other and what social classes could marry each other. She talks about the move to her husband’s family and the daily routine in his house. She also describes the mutual responsibility and mutual assistance in the Jewish community.

Rachel’s husband worked in Humera as a farmer and merchant. He managed to save money and provide the family with financial stability. After eight years, the couple moved to their own house and Rachel became the woman of the house responsible for all the housework.

Rachel talks about her grandfather, who was an officer and fought against the Italians. She describes his large house in the town of Gamo and the 12 guards who surrounded the fenced compound. There were three sub-compounds: servants’ quarters; storehouses for food, sheep, and cattle; and the family’s quarters. Rachel relates that she used to serve food and drink to the many guests who visited the house. She describes the hospitality customs prevalent at that time. She also lists the large number of weapons her family owned, which attested to their wealth.

Rachel describes her father’s synagogue and the traditions and customs observed there on festivals and special occasions. She also describes the “Mei Menzi” custom – purification with the ashes of the red heifer.