Ge'ez script facts for kids

The Ge'ez script (pronounced "GHE-ez"), also known as Ethiopic, is a special way of writing. It comes from East Africa, a region with countries like Eritrea and Ethiopia. This script is used for several languages spoken there.

The Ge'ez script is a type of writing system called an abugida. This means each main letter stands for a consonant, and you add small marks to it to show the vowel sound. Think of it like building blocks for words! It's used for languages such as Amharic and Tigrinya.

Long ago, the Ge'ez script started as an abjad. This is a writing system where only consonants are written down. Vowel sounds were usually understood from the context. Over time, it changed to include vowels. In Amharic and Tigrinya, people often call this script fidäl, which simply means "script" or "alphabet".

Where Ge'ez Script is Used

The Ge'ez script was first created to write the Ge'ez language. This language is very old. Even though people don't speak Ge'ez as their everyday language anymore, it is still very important.

Today, Ge'ez is a liturgical language. This means it is used for religious services and prayers. It is important for the Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo Church and the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church. It is also used by Beta Israel, which is the Jewish community in Ethiopia.

Images for kids

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  A painting of St. Sisinnios on horseback spearing the demon Wǝrzalyā on a Geʻez prayer scroll meant to dispel evil spirits that were thought to cause various ailments, Wellcome Collection, London

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  Geʻez script used to advertise injera (እንጀራ) to the Eritrean and Ethiopian diaspora in the US

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  Sign in Amharic using the Geʻez script at the Ethiopian millennium celebration

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  Genesis 29.11–16 in Geʽez

See also

In Spanish: Escritura etíope para niños