Tesfai

Tesfai, sometimes referred to as Tesfai I, is a historic religious and political figure in the Lijoch Empire and Lemilaki Maderi. According to tradition, he was the son of God sent to the world to lead the Twelve Lijoch in their attempt to bring peace and harmony to the world. As a spiritual leader, he is the foremost figure within Lemilaki Maderi and the Tesfai dynasty claim to be the direct descendants of Tesfai. In his lifetime, he is said to have protected the Twelve following their descent to the worldly realm and created the first Lijoch settlement in modern Bishorepok. 
==Life==
No historical record of Tesfai's existence beyond the religious tradition of Lemilaki Maderi has ever been uncovered. Contemporary scholars believe that most of the current mythology around Tesfai was developed and spread in the late 10th century during the reign of Negus II as a way of legitimising his rule.
A vast degree of diversity exists in terms of the story of the life of Tesfai. The most common involve him serving as a leader to the Twelve Lijoch, performing various miraculous acts, having the closest relationship with Negus and marrying Safia.
==Legacy==
In modern times, Tesfai is one of the most pervasive cultural icons for the Lijoch people. The politics of the Lijoch Empire is closely intertwined with the belief that the Lijoch are the descendants of the Twelve Lijoch and that they were given a specific mission by Tesfai to bring peace and harmony to the rest of the world. Conflicting interpretations of this message are among the primary divisions between ideological factions on the Imperial Court of the Lijoch Empire.
In art and media, Tesfai is comfortably the most represented figure in the Empire's history. Common portrayals of Tesfai emphasise his connection to the natural world, often being portrayed with animals or plants.
Over the past century, traditional oral stories about the life of Tesfai have begun to be written about widely. While the organisation of Lemilaki Maderi has been relatively consistent in its account of his life, the expression of vastly different accounts has led to a degree of controversy between various communities of Lijoch people.
Category:Lijoch people