Author Description

Acta Aethiopica collects, translates, annotates and publishes 19th-century letters, and other brief documents which throw light on the emergence and development of modern Ethiopia. For the Horn of Africa, as for the rest of the continent, the 19th-century was a period of great change. Eurocentered views and interpretations dominate because most historical sources consist of documents written by Europeans. Therefore, it is all the more important that preserved letters from Africans, and the treaties and other agreements which exist in both an African and a European language become known in their African versions. Ethiopia, with its ancient Christian church and literate lite, has much to offer in this respect. Internal Rivalries and Foreign Threats 1869-1879 covers little more than a decade following the reign of King Tewodros who is often regarded as the first ruler of modern Ethiopia. After a power struggle between three contenders for the supreme position, Yohannis in Tigray was crowned king of kings in 1872. It fell on him to lead the resistance of his people against the first full-scale l9th-century attempt to conquer the country. The war was nominally a war between Egypt and Ethiopia, but the intrigues and planning leading to it were European, and officers from several European countries as well as the United States were very much in charge. The 235 documents in this volume are written by princes, governors, and chiefs, both Christian and Muslim, by diplomatic envoys, and other court officials acting on behalf of their superiors or in their own private interest. Others are written by Orthodox and Catholic clergy students and other private citizens. No treaties between Ethiopia and other states were officially concluded during the period covered but private contracts documenting the purchase of land and more or less authentic drafts, mandates and concessions reveal the initial steps towards the creation of the coastal colonies as well as the exp