ABSTRACT
The Ecage is an Ethiopian monk who is responsible for the Abbey of the Monastery of Dabra Libanos. The important one that should be mentioned is the monastery of Dabra Wagag in the Assabot, along the road between Addis Ababa and Derre Dawa, which is in reality a restored ancient convent that went destroyed during the Muslim invasions. An achievement of Dabra Libanos was to absorb the neighbouring monasteries of the Shoa before imposing its authority on the monasteries of other regions. In terms of hierarchy, all Ethiopian convents recognise as their head the abbot of Dabra Libanos, the great Convent of the Shoa north of Addis Ababa, who bears the title of Ecage and is the recognised leader of Ethiopian monasticism.
