The name Bernos comes from the Arabic word burnous/burnoose for one-pieced cloak like clothing worn my Arabs. The Arabs, who migrated to northern Africa and the Berbers take on this, was to make one of wool, a lot warmer than the Middle Eastern version. Burnous is worn throughout Northwestern Africa especially in Burkina Faso; its one-pieced cloak, white in color.
The Ethiopian version is a lot thicker and is brown to black in color. It does not have a hood; rather it has a hood like point on one side of the shoulder usually on the right. Ethiopian highlanders [Degegnoch ????]wore it. The hooded point was tailored to existence in order to keep the rifle on the shoulders, so that they do not have to hold the rifle outside where the it might be susceptible to rainwater entering through the muzzle.
As in the story goes; the law enforcement system was that a judge like man (Semagele) would come and tell you that he is going to prosecute you for your crimes. Then he would take you in front of many Shemageles and present the case against him. The fact that some Shemagele's have a rifle at all times was intimidation. A Bernos and a rifle was much like sheriffs badge by western standards. (the fact that there the hood like point was tailered to accomodate a rifle makes me beleive that it was not worn prior early 19th century- as the rifle was not present in ethiopia prior to the time)
As most Shemageles are considered the elite/respected; it was just a matter of time before Bernos was associated to class. To wear a Bernos was to show or flaunt your status, your elitism of sorts. The Memhirans, and others of higher rank started wearing it; without the rifle, ofcource.
Woman with high social status wearing Bernos
Average citizens would also wear it on special occasions. To differentiate in class, one's social status was measured by the decoration on his Bernos. First the addition of Chira, then tilets sometimes in gold colors, as well as honorary badges for the military men. Ras Kassa with decorated bernos seen here.
We are going keep updating as we get more info. any extra information is also appreciated!
Published by October 12th, 2006 in History and Noteworthy.
How come this tradition is dying out. Despite it’s bourgiousie background, it should still be something that is available in stores (for those interested, etc..)
I have seen very few of these worn, mostly on old films or music videos.
I would buy one and wear it in winter around town, if you ask me. ohhh I forgot, it needs to have a “gebr” though, the wool can get scratchy.
Thanks nolawi…i remember my grandfather’s picture rocking his bernos.
selam,
Great work, very interesting. Just want to point a minor error- qoleNa is low lander not highlander. If a qolena wears Bernos (unless perhaps he is suffering from weba:-)) he will be sweating like crazy.
Thanks
thanks shola; degegna then
That being that in ancient highlands of Ethiopia…
current day urban Ethiopians cut Bernos into triangular shaped ENTIN and use it to wax hardwood floors in their homes. If you happen to have been a kid that grew up in a house that had hardwood floored rooms, you might remember the slip sliding you did with the excuse of making the floor shine.
Ah, memories!
iGo now —>
Shalom you beat me to it… I was writing a comment
people keep confusing the name with the one written by Mamo Kilo! although both are the same, i feel that there is only real Bernos!
see here the picture
(sorry to change topic)
but can bernos make new t-shirts?
it would be nice to have other ethio city names on the t-shirt with a symbolic pic next to it. for example harar, arsi, jimma etc
also new blog
http://www.akkambulte.blogspot.com/
ha! that be my ‘real bernos’
Correct me if I am wrong, but isn’t bernos a specifically semien showan accoutrement?
Keleb, its not only, it was worn in the degenoch wore it.. in wolo gojam, gondar etc.. not just shoa!
I had no idea, how very interesting. The only bernos I ever remembered was the one used to wax floors.
Africa one! we will probably never make shirts for each city! due to the costs of making shirts on american apparel! and our concepts probably will have to have more depth than just a city name… Also we have to design based on what the general public is going to buy. for example we will never make shirts with geez fonts, one because its not as orginal, 2 because more that 30 percent of our sales comes from non-ethiopians…. < < isn't that funny? Ethiopians are just not prone to buy online! we have to educate and convince them its safe and easy and dependable etc….
Celebrate- you must have been ye'bole lij the oblivious Ethiopian in Ethiopia
Nolawi, Ouch that hurts and so not true. Oblivious never, I really didn’t know. There’s no harm in that.