[1] He initially began his education in a church school but this was interrupted when his father and uncle left the province and his mother died in an epidemic in 1867.
[2] Taye wandered in search of his father and uncle and reached as far as Massawa, soon afterwards enrolling in a Swedish Evangelical mission school in nearby Monkulu in 1874.
[3] Ras Mangasha Atikem, the governor of Bagemder, was impressed by Taye's skill and his book Matshafa Sawasew and recommended him to Emperor Menelik II.
[5] Alaqa Taye helped contribute two books to the New York Public Library on Abyssinian children's games and folk stories.
[11] In recent years, there has been more credible and conclusive evidence that some of Alaqa Taye's manuscripts were acquired by Heruy Wolde Selassie and published as his own works, such as his book Wazema.
[12] Ethiopian historian Sergew Hable Selassie felt this book did not "do justice to [Taye's] erudition and does not reflect his true ability", as it was based on "unreliable sources" and was "not at all systematic".
[1] Taye was viewed by the Ethiopian Orthodox clergy as a heretic due to his Protestant beliefs, but was initially protected by the Emperor Menelik II.
[2] After Menelik II fell ill in 1909, Taye was accused of professing the religion of Tsara Mariam ("Enemies of Mary") at the court of Ras Walda Giyorgis, governor of Bagemder.
[2] The decision to place Taye in prison may have been influenced by the fact that Empress Taytu Betul was administrating the empire during the illness of her husband and she was the head of the traditional Orthodox nobility.
[15] While Taye faced persecution during the regency of Empress Taytu Betul during her husband Menelik II's illness, he had a relatively peaceful time during the reigns of Lij Iyasu and Zewditu and the prince regent Ras Tafari Makannon.
[18] His religious opponents refused to allow him to be buried at the Orthodox Church of Selassie and an order from Empress Zewditu authorising the burial had no effect.