1st Edition

Wanderings Among the Falashas in Abyssinia Together with Descriptions of the Country and its Various Inhabitants

By Henry Aaron Stern Copyright 1968
    376 Pages
    by Routledge

    392 Pages
    by Routledge

    First published in 1862, this is a narrative of the life led in the islolated Ethiopia of a century ago.

    I: Departure from Cairo—Voyage on the Nile—Carnak and Luxor—Assouan—Korosko—Across the Desert—Brackish Wells—The Sareb—Abou Hamed—Berber—Embarkation —Nubian Scenery—Arrival at Khartum; II: The Bazaar—Nubian Belles—European Kesidents—Trade in Ivory—Capture of Slaves—Consular Protest—Mons. Malzac's Conquests — Romish Missions — Failure — Removal— Blue River—Arab Honesty—Ennui —Fever—Egyptian Rule— Courtesy of Aoud-el-Kerim—White Ants—Natives of Soudan —Rough Road—Ague—Kedaref— Michel the Copt; III: Kedaref — Matrimonial Edict — Cure of Fever — Obstinate Camel—Close to a Boa—Doka—Intercourse with Sheikhs— Beautiful Scenery — Savage Inhabitants — Matamma — Sheikh's Rudeness—Change—Evening Chat—Levée of the Sheikh—Novel Interment—Uninhabited Country—Wochnee —Forcible Detention—Picturesque Landscape—Hospice in the Forest—Tschelga—Conspicuous Encampment—Religion of the Kamants; IV: Visit to the Palambaras—Extensive View—Judgment Hall— Prompt Justice—Strange Request — Hospitality — Orders from the Royal Camp—Coalon the Quanque—A Storm— Intelligence—Unguarded Camp—March of Troops—Perverted Taste of the Women—Arrival in the Royal Camp— Audience of the King—Visit from a Great Chief—Passion Week—Military Parade— Royal Interest in Missions; V: The King—His youthful Career—Death of his Uncle—Strife between the Sons—Kasa'sFlight—Becomes a Freebooter, Farmer, Rebel, and powerful Chief—Defeat in the Lowlands —Breach with the Queen—Battle at Tschako—Capture of the Queen—Release—Treachery—Revenge—Kasaconquers Godjam—Imprisons Beru Goshu—Takes Tigré—Is crowned King Theodoros—Chastises the Wollos—Subjugates Shoa— Sequestration of Church Property—Embassy of the Copt Patriarch—Unsuccessful Intrigues—Revolting Barbarities; VI: Ignorance of Court Etiquette—Excursion to the Gumarah— Seclusion of Aristocratic Ladies—Comparative Advantage of Scanty Clothing—Dread of a Famine—Open-air Repose— Disagreeable Intrusion—Dormitory of an Anglo-Abyssinian Noble—Morning Salutation—Sham Fight—Roads—Hot Mineral Springs—Sanitary Virtue—Origin—Tropical Conflagration—A Royal City—Disappointed Hopes—Gaffat; VII: European Visitors—Character of the Abyssinians—Hospitality no Virtue—Broundo Feast—Voracious Appetite—Hailstorm—Ascent of the Guna —Magnificent Prospect—A Lawless District—A Mohammedan Village—Dangerous Excursion—Speedy Termination—Meeting with the Primate; VIII: Departure from Tshatshaho — Strolling Minstrels — Royal Nuptials — Objections to Indissoluble Marriages — Royal Banquet—Mendicants—Congratulatory Visit; IX: Dispensation of Justice—Fetha Negest—Reform of the Criminal Code—Punishment of Traitors—Predilection for the Freebooters' Trade—Criminal Jurisprudence—Places of Refuge—Ecclesiastical Court—Priests in Chains—Prelatical Power; X: Termination of the Nuptial Festivities—Royal Contempt for the Priesthood—Uncomfortable Quarters—Choice of Residence—Liberal Landlord—Accession to our Circle—Aquatic Exercise—Tropical Rains—Ras Oubie—Medical Treatment— Aliga Salasee—Retribution on the Wollos—Fate of Captives —Gloomy Foreboding Verified—Audience at Jan Meeda— Ill-temper of the Despot; XI: Diseases—The Teenia—Antidote—The Bouda—His Power— Mode of Exorcism—Revolting Taste—Fatal Effects—Torments of the Zar—Easy Cure—Solution of the Demoniacal Complaints; XII: Close of the Rainy Season—Festivities—Terpsichorean Exercise —Universal Lustration—Favourable Auguries—The Plague —Bridge over the Erib— Melancholy Tidings — Primitive Court of Justice—An Unfortunate Marriage — Numerous Visitors—Low Diet—An Island in the Lake—Friendly Peasants; XIII: Market Visitors—Arclriepiscopal Palace—Gondar—A Funeral — Touching Scene — Belief in Purgatory—Tascar— Filial Affection; XIV: Falashas—Early Settlement in Abyssinia—Chequered Existence—Prejudices against Unbelievers—Deprecate Early Marriages—Offer Sacrifices—Perform the Ceremonial Law— Strictly Observe the Sabbath—Possess no Correct Ideas about the Messiah—Priestly Superstitions—Mistaken Sanctity; XV: Visit to Avorno—Jews in British Uniform—Adoration of the Queen of England—Scope of the Law—False Report— Castle of the Waizoros—The Proud Monk humbled—Monument of Fasilidas'Horse—Remains of former Wealth—Apt Illustration—The Shadow King—Uncomfortable Vestry— Church of St. Anastasius—Picturesque Situation—Devotion-less Worshippers — Transubstantiation — Conversion of a Sceptic—Worthy Communicants—The Tabot.; XVI: The Feast of the Cross—Grand Illumination—Sharp Reproof —Open-Air Assembly—Military occupation of Gondar— Solemn Confession—Sudden Arrival of the King—Grand Breakfast—Execution of Traitors—Immorality of Gondar—Biography of Tecla Haimanot—Trade of the Metropolis.; XVII: Departure from Gondar—Bivouac in the Field—Morning in the Tropics—A Sabbath Congregation—An Epicure's Repast —The Youthful Students—A pert Woman—Benighted in the Jungle—A new Version of Man's Creation—Interview with the FalashaHigh-Priest—Affecting Prayer—Appalling Passage—The Domain of the Aboona—Magic Powers; XVIII: Malicious Reports—Four Expounders of the Law—Boisterous Meetings—Picturesque Groups—Mode of Travelling—Meeting with a Priest—A Motionless Snake—Weavers abandon the Loom—An Annoying Brawl—Suspicious Quarters—The Potters of Gorgora Eila—A Settlement without a Bible— Deplorable Ignorance—A Morose Host—Numerous Visitors —Eagerness to obtain Bibles; XIX: An Unlettered Group — The Monkey-bread Tree — Sincere Inquirers — Great Surprise — Ethiopian Serenaders — The Fanatic Monk—Evening Chat—Ardent Debate—An Undaunted Petitioner—A Desolate Region—Beauty of the Lowland—An Aristocratic Friend—The Eloquent Prophet —Conjugal Differences—The Deserted Wife—Midnight Adventures—Dread of the New Testament—The Breathless Pursuit—Refusal of a Request; XX: Choice of a Station—Unsuccessful Missionary Efforts— Influence of Missions to the Falashas—Hopeful Symptoms— Conversion of Ethiopia—Spread of Christianity—Dangerous Enemies—The Jesuits—Superstition—Heretical Doctrines— Incipient Reforms—Ordination—Celibacy—Mental Culture; XXI: Physiognomy—Dress—The Toilet—Ornaments—Shoes—Milliners—Mode of Washing—Furniture—Retinue—Minerals— Undeveloped Resources—Cotton—Bright Destiny

    Biography

    Henry Aaron Stern