Kes Biyadeglin Baynesagn describes his family tree and his parents’ accomplishments. His father was a Kes. When he was seven, his father introduced him to religious studies and taught him the Ge’ez language. At the same time, he herded sheep and cattle and did agricultural work. He would work by day and study at night.

He describes his relationship with his father, who pressured and even forced him to be a Kes. He relates an incident of negligence in taking care of the family beehives as an example of his relationship with his father and the way his father educated him.

When he was a teenager, he was known for his singing abilities and was often invited to sing and dance at weddings as an escort. He sometimes had to walk for days to reach an event. He talks about the songs he used to sing at events and those he sang when working in the field.

There was a holy site in the village where Kes Biyadeglin Baynesagn was born, with a synagogue where renowned Kesim used to gather. Jews from throughout the province would go on pilgrimages to the site to confess their sins and become purified. Nearby was another holy site for the Jews called Westa-Tsagi. Tradition relates that during the reign of Emperor Yeshaq, the local Jews were pursued by the regime and decided to take their own lives rather than being caught. They jumped together into an abyss. After they jumped, a river started flowing from the abyss. People suffering from various illnesses and barren women used to visit the site to be healed. Anyone who entered its gates had to shave their heads and purify themselves by eating fruit or seeds.

Kes Biyadeglin Baynesagn talks at length about the custom of dream interpretation and the meanings and ramifications of dreams. As an example, he cites a standard interpretation of a dream in which a red heifer appears; this indicates a good period is forthcoming.

When immigration to Israel via Sudan began, Kes Biyadeglin Baynesagn left his home and settled for five years in the province of Wegera. He was ordained as a Kes and served the community there. He reads out loud excerpts in Ge’ez from the Bible and the Dawit (Psalms). He talks about his studies, examinations, and ordination ceremony as a Kes.

Kes Biyadeglin Baynesagn describes his work and lifestyle as the community’s spiritual leader. The community gave him a tenth of their crop and worked his land, as his communal work was so time consuming. The Kes recited blessings at weddings and special events. In addition, he accompanied people to holy sites and stayed there with them. He maintained a calendar to calculate the date of new months, festivals, and special events.