Product Description
In introducing the present essay on the Social History of Ethiopia, it should be emphasised that the country, which today covers an area as large as France and Spain combined, has always been one of immense geographical and other contrasts.High mountains, which in the Samen range tower more than 4,600 metres above sea level, give way to flat lowlands which in the 'Afar depression sink below sea level.Temperature, which, geographically, is no less varied, ranges from the icy cold of the mountains, with frost, and in places even snow, through the temperate highlands - the site of most of the country's historic settlements - to the torrid lowlands, with the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden ports reckoned as among some of the hottest places in the world.Differences in rainfall have been no less dramatic, the torrential downpours of the highlands contrasting with minimal precipitation in the parches almost waterless lowlands.It follows that vegetation was equally varied, with tropical jungles, particularly in the west, deserts and semi-desert scrublands, mainly in the east and south, and fertile - but largely deforested - regions in many areas of medium elevation.

The population of the country, not surprisingly, came to terms with such greatly varying environments in different ways, with the result that the world's principal types of economic activity were all represented - with agriculturalists, many of them practicing plough agriculture, in the extensive highlands, pastoralists in the even more widespread lowlands, and hunters and gathers in the vicinity of the many rivers, lakes and forests.(This three-fold division is, however, far from rigid, for there was often much overlapping, particularly in the highlands where the supposed "agriculturalists" devoted much of their time to the upkeep of cattle which many farmers and peasants regarded as their principal source of wealth).

Ethiopia - like so many countries on the African continent - is in no less measure a land made up of varied ethic - and lingusitic - threads.It comprises members of no less than four broad language groups: Semitic, mainly in the north, but with pockets in the south (Gurage and Adare), Cushitic, mainly in the south, but with pockets in the north (Beja, Agaw, Saho, and 'Afar), Omotic (Wallamo, Kafa, Gemerra, etc.) in the south-west, and Nilo-Saharan in the far west, near the Sudan border.The situation was, however, historically far from static, for there were over the centuries major movements of population, notably in the ancient and medieval period when Tegres moved from north to south ; in the sixteenth, seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries when Oromos migrated from south to north; in the nineteenth century when there was once more a movement, mainly of Amharas, from north to south; as well as throughout the centuries to and from sundry national or provincial capitals.For this and other reasons bilingualism, and indeed multilingualism, may well have existed throughout this period.

The religious pattern - in which the world's three main monotheistic faiths are all represented - was no less varied.For centuries Christians of the Orthodox faith predominated in the all-important northern and central highlands, Muslims were no less dominant in most of the lowlands, particularly to the east, as well as at the great commercial centre of Harar, but were also of paramount importance as merchants throughout the region as a whole.Followers of traditional local faiths preponderated in the south-west (the source of much of the country's exports of gold, ivory, civet and slaves), but also, we may assume, exerted some cultural influence in the north where they accounted for no small proportion of the slave population which, we may surmise, was by no means instantly assimilated to the locally dominant faith or faiths.The Falasa, or Judaic Ethiopians, who constituted the smallest of the country's four religious groups, were located mainly in the north-west.Through their faith was in many ways distinct - both from other Ethiopians and from the Jews of other lands their social life had much in common with Ethiopian Orthodox Christians, with whom they shared the Ge'ez Old Testament, whose scribes often wrote out their sacred writings and whose Church schools they sometimes attended.They also had some cultural affinities with nearby Oemant who represented an intermediary faith between Judaism and an ancient Ethiopian religion often referred to as a form of Animism.

Such immense variations of physical and human geography coupled with those of language, culture and religion, inevitably resulted in the existence within the confines of the present-day Ethiopian region of many differing customs and ways of life.There ensured much cross-fertilisation of cultures and traditions, which still requires detailed study.Any comprehensive examination of so rich, and geographically varied, a history obviously requires many detailed monographs - for it would seem impossible, within the compass of one small volume such as this, to do justice to the rich variety of Ethiopia's historic social and cultural experience, either on a countrywide basis - or over the time span of more than a few centuries. Further factual studies, when completed, will doubtless lead to works of greater synthesis and interpretation.

The present volume, which is a planned as the first of a series dealing with various aspects of the country's varied social history, is devoted by and large to the northern and central highlands, and covers the period from early medieval times tot he region of Emperor Tewodros II which is considered a turning-point in the country's history - and serves at the same time as a point of departure for the dramatic changes that were to characterize the late nineteenth and twentieth centuries.The region under review was important in that it constituted the core of the traditional Ethiopian State, and was over the centuries to exercise no small influence on other parts of the country.The area was at the same time distinctive - and formed a cohesive entity - in that it had a unique highland, and predominantly Christian, culture.The region is moreover of special interest on account of its indigenous chronicles and hagiographies, and the many descriptions by foreign travelers, which made it, at least until the middle or second half of the nineteenth century, by far best documented part of Ethiopia.It is thus an area that can be studied over a considerable span of time.

Since the northern and central highlands in the period under review are so palpably better documented it would be impossible to devote anything like equal coverage to other parts of the country without adopting the arbitrary, and from the scholarly point of view surely misguided policy of suppressing available data on a region for which it is available, in the interests of geographical balance.

Even with the above strictly limited geographical confines generalisation is often hazardous.It has been possible within the time and space available to consider only some of the more important aspects from one district or village to another, for the communities under review were composed, it should not be forgotten, of individual men, women and children, who lived their varied lives as they could, or thought fit - in blissful ignorance of the foreign traveller's accounts, and other historical sources, upon which scholars base their accounts - and develop their interpretation - of traditional Ethiopian behaviour.

The present volume, conceived as a first installment towards a full Social History of Ethiopia, is primarily descriptive.it is intended to present a survey based on available sources, and thereby to lay a groundwork for other writers to develop more ambitious, comprehensive and interpretative, studies of old-time Ethiopian life.It is hoped at a later stage to publish companion volumes on the south of the country, as well as on the period from Tewodros to more recent times.

I should like to thank friends and colleagues who made this publication possible.I am grateful to Dr.Taddese Beyene, the devoted Director of the Institute of Ethiopian Studies, for his kind help and encouragement, as well as to Margaret Last for typing part of the first draft, to Amanda Woodlands for generously devoting her time to putting most of the text on computer, to my children Alula and Helen for initially helping me wrestle with that machine, to the computer wizard Bruno Neeser for producing IBM-compatible diskettes, and to Tatek Samare for expertly preparing the final work for printing and assisting in computer-indexing.Special thanks are also due to Demeke Berhane and to the ever-enthusiastic Dr.Carla Zanotti for helping me identify manuscript illustrations at the Institute; to Dr.Vincenzo Francaviglia, Denis Gerard, Santha Faiia and Membere Wolde Ghiorgis for kindly photographing these and other works; to the dedicated Degife Gabre Tsadik and his staff for constant library assistance, and to Belai Giday for approaching local informants on my behalf.I am, as always, indebted to my wife Rita for innumerable comments, criticisms and suggestions. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Another fascinating work by Richard Pankhurst
Richard Pankhurst is probably the leading expert in the world today on the subject of Ethiopian studies and Ethiopian history. I find him to be very objective and truthfull. I have read many of his works and they surpass any other's in this field, in historical accuracy, depth of study and insight.

For years I have been studying and reading every book on Ethiopia I could get my hands on. I have interviewed quite a few of the elders of the Ethiopian Jews that live in Israel. I have been researching Ethiopian history and gathering material for a book I myself am writing on the subject. I have even traveled extensively in Ethiopia gathering information for my research.

I can honestly say that nobody has helped me like Richard Pankhurst. He has made the study of Ethiopia his life's work and has done so with magnificent zeal.

Local Ethiopian historians such as Bilay Gidday have written a distorted account of Ethiopian history. They are, basically, blindfolded with national pride, corrupting the truth in order to draw a picture portraying Ethiopia as the source of human culture and cradle of both Christianity and Judaism and the Ethiopians as the chosen people.

Richard Pankhurst has successfully managed to fish out the true historical facts from Ethiopia's vast ocean of fantastic myths, legends and folk-tales. For this, he will forever be favoured by scholars of Ethiopian studies all over the world.

I salute him for yet another inspiring piece of work and wish him many more years of such productivity.

Joseph Musael, Jerusalem, ISRAEL. ... Read more

Product Description
In his new book Andargé Asfaw captures Ethiopia's striking splendor of nature and its deep and abiding link to the country's faith and culture. Much of the beauty captured in this stunning book is rapidly disappearing, however. Especially alarming is the rate at which the forest canopy is vanishing."I hope readers will let these photographs guide them on an Ethiopian journey through breathtaking landforms, graceful wildlife encounters, and an intimate experience with Ethiopian culture," Mr. Asfaw said when announcing the book's publication.Mr. Asfaw hopes that the passion he has put into the book's photographs will create and heighten the awareness of Ethiopia's - and the world's - environmental crisis. His belief that everyone can help save the Earth one step at a time is reflected in how the book was produced using post consumer materials where possible. In addition, part of the proceeds from each copy of Ethiopia from the Heart sold will be combat deforestation in Ethiopia. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

A beautiful book
Our daughter is Ethiopian and we found this book to be an amazing reflection of the beauty of her country and people. Through his photographs and artistry Mr. Asfaw and Ms. Jones have also provided a stark image of the need to protect the landscape and broader environment.I am struck by so many of the poignant images.What a beautiful book.

This one's a keeper!
I love this book! It's an exuberant and poignant homage to the land and the people of Ethiopia. The images are breathtaking and deeply honest -- there's so much more here than just another bunch of pretty travel photos. I keep coming back to this book; and each time I open it, I see something new and learn something new. This one is a keeper!

Ethiopia from the heart
There are not very many books that i have come across that have captivated my soul the way that "Ethiopia from the Heart" has. The images from each page sing in a way that allow the viewer to go on a personal journey to Ethiopia with out ever having to travel very far. The images captured have texture, emotion and warmth that evoke a sense of beauty from cover to cover. Everyone that i have shown this book to has been captivated by the images they have been exposed to. This book is what results when simple wonders of the world meet with amazingly unique photographic technique. Often times Ethiopia is viewed as a poverty stricken third world country. However through the images found in this book it is easy to see that even the often neglected sectors of the world have a natural beauty that have always been there but have not been correctly depicted, UNTIL NOW. "Ethiopia from the Heart" took me to new heights and i encourage more people to partake in this movement of enlightenment. This book not only tells a story of its people but it also strives to restore and preserve the images found. Part of the proceeds of the book go to preserving the natural life in Ethiopia. Through the efforts of the artist and the donations of readers such as myself we will be able to collectively stand together to help keep the images found in this book vibrant and alive for years to come.

Stunning
This book has earned a place of prominence in my home. I love to share it with friends and have given it as a present to many members of my family. Why? Because it appeals on two levels.

Mr. Asfaw has a gift for photo composition. The book is filled with lovely examples of texture, opulent color, stark contrasts, and, fittingly, heart. The photograph captions are reserved for an appendix. In "Ethiopia from the Heart," the viewer is politely presented with photographs and an opportunity: to enjoy a personal experience with the beauty and dignity of the Ethiopian people, their striking homeland, and their rich culture.

Another level of this book is its purpose. Mr. Asfaw and Ms. Jones, who so nicely handled the photo editing and layout, are very vocal supporters of renewing Ethiopia's natural resources. The flyleaf states, "A portion of the profits from this book will donated to organizations working to preserve forests by providing alternatives to using wood for fuel." It encourages me when artists generously apply their gifts to achieve such admirable goals.

From a Western perspective, these photographs are exotic. The idea that deforestation is threatening the way of life for so many today is disturbing. That future generations might never know the lushness on display in some of these landscapes is frightening. The intense, sere bleakness of some landscapes shown in this work is an undeniable call to action. A simple first step for many of us is to purchase this book and help Mr. Asfaw contribute to a worthy cause. ... Read more

Product Description
During the 1960s and early 1970s, a majority of Ethiopian students and intellectuals adopted a Marxist-Leninist ideology with fanatic fervor. The leading force in an uprising against the imperial regime of Emperor Haile Selassie, they played a decisive role in the rise of a Leninist military regime. In this original study, Messay Kebede examines the sociopolitical and cultural factors that contributed to the radicalization of the educated elite in Ethiopia, and how this phenomenon contributed to the country's uninterrupted political crises and economic setbacks since the Revolution of 1974.BR> Offering a unique, insider's perspective garnered from his direct participation in the student movement, the author emphasizes the role of the Western education system in the progressive radicalization of students and assesses the impact of Western education on traditional cultures. The most comprehensive study of the role of students in modern Ethiopian political history to date, Radicalism and Cultural Dislocation in Ethiopia, 1960-1974/ opens the door for discussion and debate on the issue of African modernization and the effects of cultural colonization. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Radicalism and Cultural Dislocation in Ethiopia, 1960-1974
Messay Kebede's "Radicalism and Cultural Dislocation in Ethiopia, 1960-1974" provides a deep intelectual analysis of Ethiopia's internalization of Western education and political outlook. His excellent comparative analysis of what transpired in countries such as Japan and India poses a serious challenge to current and future Ethiopian generations on the recognition of the mental colonization that has actually occured during the past 50 years.

A must read! ... Read more

Product Description

Product Description
Ethiopia is a vast country of remarkable scenic beauty. The vivid contrast in its geographical environment, from fertile plains to hostile scrublands, has produced remarkable differences in lifestyles. Many groups of people make their homes in this little known land, speaking 80 different languages, practicing a variety of religions and maintaining a diversity of cultures. The lowlands are a sea of Islam, the highlands an island of Christianity religions existing side by side with age-old rituals unique to the various peoples of Ethiopia. From the beauty of Labilela's rock churches to the traditional ceremonies of the people of the Omo Valley, this book reveals the hidden face of this striking, mysterious land. Photographer Kazuyoshi Nomachi captures the unique mosaic of Ethiopia as it was meant to be experienced, from the traditions of an ancient people to the daily chores of survival. Bless Ethiopia represents the mystique of an inaccessible land, torn by political upheavals and harsh climate that limits travel. Nomachi transcends these traditional barriers to bring the reader in tune with the pulse of today's Ethiopia, focusing on adherents of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. In this land of rugged extremes, diversity abounds both geographically and culturally. Having lived in Ethiopia and championed her cause for much of his adult life, Professor Richard Pankhurst in his Introduction brings profound expertise to this vivid and informative look at Ethiopia. His text evokes the spirit of a lost land, and helps the reader comprehend what few outsiders are privileged to experience. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Richard Pankhurst
I have not read this book, but I cannot agree with the idea expressed by other reviewers that he was a racist or that he was unaware of the richness of Ethiopian culture.He has written extensively about the country, appreciates it, and also points out faults and mistakes, which is appropriate.Richard Pankhurst was the last person to portray Ethiopians or anyone as uncivilized, backward, etc.But the truth has to be acknowledged that there are differences between cultures and that in many ways a country like Ethiopia is not as "advanced" as other countries that providea better life for their peoples.

Richard P for once tell the truth.
I hate to see people like Richard P try to distroy a history that preserved itself for 3 thousand years. I am not sure why he is even allowed to stay in Ethiopia.As far as I know he is nothing but a blood sucking parasite who (has been )and still sucking these people dry.Like it or not, Ethiopians and Egyptians were civilized before we even knew how to read or write.

Once again we (white people) hating those that look and act different from us.Live and learn, people.............

I give this book 0 stars!

Thank you

Becky B

A Wonderful Tribute to a Marvelous Land
Richard Pankhurst is probably the leading expert in the world today on the subject of Ethiopian studies and Ethiopian history. I find him to be very objective and truthfull. I have read many of his works and they surpass any other's in this field, in historical accuracy, depth of study and insight.

For years I have been studying and reading every book on Ethiopia I could get my hands on. I have interviewed quite a few of the elders of the Ethiopian Jews that live in Israel. I have been researching Ethiopian history and gathering material for a book I myself am writing on the subject. I have even traveled extensively in Ethiopia gathering information for my research.

I can honestly say that nobody has helped me like Richard Pankhurst. He has made the study of Ethiopia his life's work and has done so with magnificent zeal.

Local Ethiopian historians such as Bilay Gidday have written a distorted account of Ethiopian history. They are, basically, blindfolded with national pride, corrupting the truth in order to draw a picture portraying Ethiopia as the source of human culture and cradle of both Christianity and Judaism and the Ethiopians as the chosen people.

Richard Pankhurst has successfully managed to fish out the true historical facts from Ethiopia's vast ocean of fantastic myths, legends and folk-tales. For this, he will forever be favoured by scholars of Ethiopian studies all over the world.

I salute him for yet another inspiring piece of work and wish him many more years of such productivity.

Joseph Musael,Jerusalem,ISRAEL.

Little knowledge is dangerous
The saying goes "little knowledge is dangerous" but pankrust fits "the cancer". In Ethiopia, it is traditional to represent the wealthiest, the creative, the most resourceful and the developed as"backwards". While the good liars are considered"civilized".Peole get confused where to label foreigner liarslike pankrest. If you have not gotten yet what I am saying, visit southerncentral as well as northern Ethiopia, talk to the people and ask youropinion about the cancer. They will all tell you what pankrest is

Bless Ethiopia is an injustice to the Ethiopian people.
Bless Ethiopia is an injustice to the rich cultural heritage of the Ethiopian people.The author overlooks this country'svast antiquitiesand its modern day universities,museums, and other institutions. This bookcontinues the western media tradition of portraying Ethiopia as a desolateand depraved country when in fact it is one of many middle easterncountries which gave us civilization.It is particularly troublingthat the author chose to include photographs of certain individuals withsocial unacceptable behavior for the purpose of stereotyping the wholecountry ofEthiopia.Certainly, all societies have miscreants but is thatrepresentative of the whole country?The rich history of Ethiopia isdocumented in the Old Testament of the bible.Surely, if the author ofthis book was familiar with the numerous historical sites of Ethiopia andits modern day development, he would have included it in this book.Thisbook was less than complimentary to the Ethiopian people and a distortedimage of this great country. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Interesting collection of essays about the Italo-Ethiopian War
Be careful with this book: I bought it for use in a history essay, expecting it to be a single work. Instead, Alberto Sbacchi, the noted Italian scholar and critic of imperialism, who is listed as the author, compiled a series of essays ranging from the 1970s to the present about the history of Italy in Ethiopia. There is a special concentration on Italian generals' use of poison gas against the Ethiopians, which is a little-adressed subject. Essentially, it is useful as a general reference, but be aware of bias and don't depend on it as a serious piece of historography.

Brief Review
Extremely interesting and fascinating book. This book would be even more interesting if juxtaposed with the later struggles between Ethiopia and the emerging state of Eritrea. Italy's actions (and later Britain and the UN) in this region of Northeast Africa reverberates until today with the Ethiopian-Eritrean border 1998-2000 War. I'd like to make one point about the atrocities committed against the Ehiopians by the Italians. Although the Italians did terrible acts of murder, rape, and genocide against the Ehiopians, their actions and appetite for murder, rape, and genocide were surpassedby the Ethiopians, who in later years committed even more terrible atrocities against the Eritreans(in their struggle for independence). Of course, actions taken by Haile Selassie later on in his regime, and Menginstu Haile Mariam led to millions of Ethiopians starving to death. So, what is my point? Well, I guess that the actions of the Italians should not be made ominous at that time in history because they are "Italians" or "whites". What the Italians did is what they did, and the Ethiopians, later, did far more terrible things to the Eritreans and to themselves.

A crucial point in European history, a nation sacrificed
In my opinion, the Italian invasion and conquest of Ethiopia is a war that has not received enough emphasis. While the Italians were victorious after a fashion and King Victor Emanuel III of Italy was now considered an Emperor, the consequences for Europe and the world were enormous. Before the war, Italy was a significant power in Europe and while not specifically anti-German, Mussolini was opposed to any territorial realignment in Europe that did not involve Italy gaining territory. At that time, even though they possessed similar ideologies, Italy and Germany were still at odds. It seems to be forgotten now that it was Mussolini's forceful military response that prevented the German Anschluss with Austria from taking place in 1934. Until the Italian adventure in Ethiopia, it was Italian military power that was checking the southern expansion of the German Reich. Mussolini openly described Hitler as a "little clown" and he entered into agreements with the smaller nations, where he pledged to defend them against German expansion. Germany and Italy were also natural territorial rivals, as Mussolini clearly understood that a German seizure of Austria would reopen the Tyrol issue. An alliance between Britain, France and Italy standing against German expansion would have kept it from happening. If those three had aligned against Germany, it would have been fighting on three fronts, a southern, western and on the seas.
However, Britain and France tried to play both sides of the fence during the war between Italy and Ethiopia. In the guise of collective security, they tried to punish Italy, imposing rather weak sanctions. At the same time, they were reaching an accommodation with Mussolini, awarding him de facto recognition of the conquest, although they were not to the point where they were willing to make it de jure. The policy of trying to punish a nation while simultaneously attempting to form a stronger alliance with it projected weakness.
As this was happening, Hitler did not join the sanctions, supplying Italy with essential materials, which led to an understanding between Hitler and Mussolini. Germany would acquiesce in the Italian conquest of Ethiopia, and then Italy would do the same when Germany tried to annex Austria. The cost of carrying out a colonial war so far away from the home country served to weaken Italy, making it far less formidable in the power structure of Europe. It was at this point that the British and French decided that there was no point in making any additional concessions in an attempt to draw Italy into an anti-German alliance.
All of the above is covered in detail in this book, but there is also a great deal of attention paid to the actions of the Italians in Ethiopia. That war was the last one where poison gas was extensively used. Even though it had been banned as a weapon, the Italians made effective use of several different types, a fact well known to the European powers. In their focus on trying to keep Italy an ally, a great deal of effort was made to cover it up. There is little doubt that the fact that those being asphyxiated were Africans had something to do with this effort. Another point brought out, something that I have never read in any other book, was the Italian policy of execution as a means of controlling the country. In several instances, they lured Ethiopian leaders by promises of safety, only to have them killed.
At the end of the war, Italy emerged weak, estranged from her natural ally of Great Britain and somewhat reliant on the rising power of Germany. Britain and France tried to sacrifice Ethiopia for security in Europe. It did not work, although in their defense, there was little public support for any forceful action of any kind. I enjoyed this book; it should be read and studied as a chronicle of one of the prelude events to the Second World War.

Has good information with lots of filler
I bought this book because I was writing a research paper on the Italo-Ethiopian War, and seeing as this humongous volume was written all about it, I was thrilled.. and I wasn't disappointed.It has lots of information about the war and was a great help in helping me narrow down my topic; it also covers background to the war, etc.However, I only found about half of the book at all relevant to what I was trying to find.Nevertheless, this fault does not affect the usefulness of the book, except that it just makes it a whole lot heavier.Not my choice for a light afternoon read, but very good for research.

One Crucial Point of Bitterness Omitted
The author presented how the mighty European powers sacrificed Ethiopian independence in a clear and unambigous manner. All the relevant facts and supporting documents were apppropriate.

But I am NOT sure why, Mr. Sbacchi failed to mention that The Pope's tacit support of the camapaign. In fact to set an example,he donated the Papal ring to help finace the Italian invasion of Ethiopia. This act by the Pope infuriated a number of Eritreans, who then not only converted to The Ethiopian Orhtodox faith in protest, but also deserted Italy, and joined the Ethiopian patriots. The Pope's act left one of more Legacy of bitterness, since most thought that a Christian can not be cruel to another Christian. And they found out that European Christians are never meant to be equal with African Christians. Overall, it is a comendable work and I hope to see more like it. ... Read more

Product Description
How do communities grapple with the challenges of reconstruction after conflicts? In one of the first in-depth ethnographic accounts of refugee repatriation anywhere in the world, Laura C. Hammond follows the story of Ada Bai, a returnee settlement with a population of some 7,500 people. In the days when refugees first arrived, Ada Bai was an empty field along Ethiopia’s northwest border, but it is now a viable—arguably thriving—community.

For the former refugees who fled from northern Ethiopia to eastern Sudan to escape war and famine in 1984 and returned to their country of birth in 1993, "coming home" really meant creating a new home out of an empty space. Settling in a new area, establishing social and kin ties, and inventing social practices, returnees gradually invested their environment with meaning and began to consider their settlement home. Hammond outlines the roles that gender and generational differences played in this process and how the residents came to define the symbolic and geographical boundaries of Ada Bai.

Drawing on her fieldwork from 1993 to 1995 and regular shorter periods since, Hammond describes the process by which a place is made meaningful through everyday practice and social interaction. This Place Will Become Home provides insight into how people cope with extreme economic hardship, food insecurity, and limited access to international humanitarian or development assistance in their struggle to attain economic self-sufficiency. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Powerful, Afrocentric, Inspiring
East Africans are beautiful!It's not just Iman; they all have that type of hotness.I went to college with Selassie's grandson and he was cute.So if you understand that those from the Horn of Africa are quite personable, then you'll want to see their artwork.
Womanist writer bell hooks, on several occasions, has registered her disgust when people of all races imply that angels or Biblical figures shouldn't be painted as Black.In protest, she once put a painting of a Black angel done by an Ethiopian on the cover of her book.For those who love seeing, Black Biblical figures, then the artwork here will please you.The Coptic Christians of Ethiopia prove that there were Black Christians in existence before colonialism.
The work here does not have the realism that one may expect from Western trained artists.In one painting, a man holds a baby and the baby looks like it's ripping through the adult's arm.In another, a woman is holding her child and she has fingers, but no arm.These works have a "cartoony" vibe similar to drawings and tapestries of William the Conqueror's time.Please understand the art can be deemed "imperfect," but it has much value outside of that.
Many Black cultural critics have complained about how much Western art only portrays one Black, if it shows any Blacks at all.You can see that in the expendable figures in "The Boys in the Band" and "Melrose Place."Kobena Mercer has made a similar condemnation of Mapplethorpe's "Little Black Book."The same critique can be lobbed against the controversial Impressionist painting "Olympia."This book and its art contain many paintings of multiple Blacks.Though iconographic, these works show Blacks in community, and sometimes communion, with each other.Black men, women, and children are all presented here.
Unfortunately, this book seems to have no table of contents, though it has clearly defined chapters.If you think Ethiopian writing is beautiful, you'll love seeing its presence in these paintings.I think Afrocentrists in the US and religious individuals in the African-American community would really be inspired and impressed with the paintings here.Someone could make big bucks if they put these images on T-shirts and sold them at Black art fairs. ... Read more

Product Description
Ethiopia is one of Africa's top birding destinations, harbouring dramatic scenery, a wonderful diversity of habitats, over 30 endemic species, and a number of other regional specialities that cannot be easily seen anywhere else in the world. No self-respecting world lister can afford not to go there! This new book is a comprehensive site guide to the 50 best birding sites in the country. Each site describes how to get there, what you can see there, and when to visit. A number of full colour maps complement the site texts, and GPS co-ordinates allow sites to be located with great accuracy. A section covering the top 50 species gives details of how to see each of these special birds. The book is completed with an annotated checklist of all the country's birds and more than 150 photographs of birds, habitats and even some of Ethiopia's other fauna and flora. ... Read more

Product Description
A Story in Stones explores the relationship between Portugal and Ethiopia during the 16th and 17th centuries from a unique perspective. Through historical research and many years of fieldwork J.J. Hespeler-Boultbee reveals Portugal's early Renaissance contact within the Ethiopian Highlands using a description of contemporary architectural vestige. What started as a mission of exploration and discovery for the Christian kingdom of the great Emperor Prester John and Portugal's search for an ally against Islamic forces developed into diplomatic, military, religious, cultural and most long lasting of all, architectural ties between Portugal and Ethiopia. This great search started with the overland route of Portuguese explorer Pêro da Covilhã that led him to the Ethiopian Highlands in 1493, thirty-seven years before Portugal's diplomatic embassy mission of 1520.

The story within the stones can still be seen in the ancient Portuguese and Gondarine ruins which are still of great influence in today's architectural design in this region. J.J. Hespeler-Boultbee explores over thirty different sites within the Highlands, many of which are remote and rarely visited. Fully illustrated with colour photos and drawings.

Review:
"We are deeply indebted to Jeremy Hespeler-Boultbee... for his initiative in studying Portuguese, Portuguese-Indian or Ethio-Portuguese buildings in Ethiopia, and thus opening an entirely new field of Ethio-Portuguese studies."
- Richard Pankhurst, Institute of Ethiopian Studies, Addis Ababa University

About the Author:
J.J. Hespeler-Boultbee is an Art & Architectural Historian and Associate of the Institute of Ethiopian Studies, Addis Ababa University.Having worked in Portugal as a lecturer at the University of Lisbon, an associate for CIDEHUS, the research and development organization at the University of Évora and as a Master Builder and Stonemason restoring old and traditional houses for over twelve years, he is uniquely qualified in this field of research. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Important Historical/Artistic Overview
While there are an increasing number of volumes, works, and articles in the press regarding Eastern/Western exchange for Asia and the Americas as well, there is precious little on this topic - other than works dealing with the slave trade. Portugal's influence - and here we are talking about Catholic and Jesuit influence as well - is an important but little know chapter in Africa's religious and artistic history.
Because there is so little on this topic I am quite pleased with the work. However, a hard back edition would be better, in my opinion, as well as a great use of color photos instead of B/W imagery. Also a few articles dealing in greater depth with the artistic nuances and historical details would be useful. There is a lot of explanation of the various sites but the work needs something more to pull it more effectively together - in my opinion. Still a very good and useable work.

Father Joseph Lea ... Read more

Product Description
This new volume examines similar themes to those in "The Southern Marches of Imperial Ethiopia", taking the story forward through the major changes effected by the socialist regime from the revolution of 1974 to its overthrow in 1991, and then into the current period which has been marked by moves towards local democracy and political devolution. ... Read more