Wanderings Among the Falashas in Abyssinia

Together with Descriptions of the Country and its Various Inhabitants

Henry Aaron Stern

• Publisher: Routledge
• Year: 2013
• eBook ISBN: 9781136984853
• Topic: History
• Subtopic: World History
• Index: History

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

Table of contents

• Cover
• Half Title
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• GENERAL EDITOR’S PREFACE
• INTRODUCTION TO THE SECOND EDITION BY ROBERT L. HESS
• A BIBLIOGRAPHIC NOTE
• Other Title Page
• PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION
• CONTENTS
• LIST OF FULL PAGE ILLUSTRATIONS
• CHAPTER 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
• CHAPTER II. The Bazaar—Nubian Belles—European Besidents—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—Kedarif—Michel the Copt
• CHAPTER III. Kedarif—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—Tschelsra—Conspicuous Encampment—Religion of the Kamants
• CHAPTER IV. Visit to the Palambaras—Extensive View—Judgment Hall— Prompt Justice — Strange Request — Hospitality— Orders from the Royal Camp—Coal on 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
• CHAPTER V. The King—His youthful Career—Death of his Uncle—Strife between the Sons—Kasa’s Flight—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—Kasa conquers God-jam—Imprisons Bern 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
• CHAPTER 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
• CHAPTER 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 “Rv”— Speedy Termination—Meeting with the Primate
• CHAPTER VIII. Departure from Tshatshaho — Strolling Minstrels — Royal Nuptials—Objections to Indissoluble Marriages — Royal Banquet—Mendicants—Congratulatory Visit
• CHAPTER IX. Dispensation of Justice—Fetha Negest—Reform of the Criminal Code—Punishment of Traitors—Predilection for the Free-hooters’ Trade—Criminal Jurisprudence—Places of Re-fuge—Ecclesiastical Court—Priests in Chains—Prelatical Power
• CHAPTER 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
• CHAPTER 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
• CHAPTER 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
• CHAPTER XIII. Market Visitors—Archiepiscopal Palace—Gondar—A Funeral —Touching Scene—Belief in Purgatory—Tascar—Filial Affection
• CHAPTER 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
• CHAPTER 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
• CHAPTER 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
• CHAPTER 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 Falasha High-Priest—Affecting Prayer—Appalling Passage—The Domain of the Aboona—Magic Powers
• CHAPTER 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
• CHAPTER 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
• CHAPTER 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
• CHAPTER XXI. Physiognomy—Dress—The Toilet—Ornaments—Shoes—Milliners—Mode of Washing—Furniture—Retinue—Minerals— Undeveloped Resources—Cotton—Bright Destiny