Books on Ethiopia
In Ethiopia by
Bernd Bierbaum
Book Description
Publication Date: August 8, 2011
A dust-filled
journey of 3000km, taken twenty
times, yields ten chapters of vivid encounters
and tangible
impressions.
Set between sky-high mountains on
the top of Africa, blistering hot deserts of the
Danakil Depression and
the fertile Blue Nile valley, this is the cradle
of humankind, or, according to the Ethiopian
Church, the
home of Adam and Eve before their
fall from grace. Bernd Bierbaum, avid traveller,
writer and anthropologist
was so captivated by Ethiopia that he returned
twice each year for the past decade. Painting an
intriguing web of myth and
everyday life, In Ethiopia challenges common
assumptions, allowing an ancient yet universal
and relevant wisdom to reveal itself. A classic
of modern travel writing. "I asked myself time
and again, how a Faranji (foreigner) could
understand so much about my country."
(Azeb Tadesse-Hahn, Deutsche Welle) "Bernd
Bierbaum travels with open eyes, without any
form of arrogance or wise-cracking." (Andreas
Obst, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung)
"Refreshing, poetic, and written with deep
knowledge." (Arte TV
Paris)
OLD
TRACKS IN THE NEW FLOWER
A
Historical Guide to Addis Ababa
by
Milena Batistoni and Gian Paolo Chiari,
Arada Books 2004,
The book is released at the time when Addis
Ababa experiences a process of urban
change that profoundly affects its
appearance and character. Welcomed in
Ethiopia as a most interesting book on the
town. [...] It is to be hoped that the Tourism
Commission and tourist companies study
this
book (Dr. Richard Pankhurst, Addis
Tribune),
Old Tracks in the New Flower
represents one of the first and most
comprehensive contribution to discovering
and
understanding the fascination of the old
Addis Ababa. By doing so, it provides further
and
detailed evidence of how dramatic
would
be the cultural costs of losing such a
historical heritage.
The Book
Hidden inside Addis Ababa's
current fabric, Menelik's town still exists. Addis Ababa represents a
remarkable exception among the African capitals. The short
Italian occupation
has only partially altered the
peculiar evolution of its urban structures and this allows
reading the city's astonishing
history and exceptional architecture through its old buildings
and the paths linking them. The fascination of the old Addis Ababa is
the product of architectural syncretism that involved Ethiopian, but
also Indian, Armenian and European constructors. These beautiful
buildings still survive, largely unknown, scattered in different
districts and far away from each other, often hidden by enclosing walls,
by other houses or big trees. The authors Milena Batistoni and Gian
Paolo Chiari - identified and described 134 of these buildings, in
addition to those existing inside the old
Imperial compound. Through their
history the book highlights the identity and the atmosphere of the old
Addis Ababa, also with the help of an extremely rich photographic
documentation of the buildings and by seven itineraries that make their
identification easy and pleasant. With this book, the authors intend to
provide a historical guide
to Addis Ababa. They also hope to contribute to the preservation of such
an important historic and artistic heritage.
Arada Books Publishing
Arada Books is a small and
independent publishing house, established in Addis Ababa in 2004. It was
created - and is managed - by people inspired and fascinated by the
culture of Ethiopia, the country where they live and work. Arada Books
intends to contribute to the development of the Ethiopian historical and
cultural heritage through the enhancement and distribution of
intellectual property. It also wants to facilitate the access to such a
culture and to improve the latters communication with the rest of the
world. For these reasons, Arada Books has chosen English as working
language, although it intends to release bilingual editions (Amharic and
English) in order to make the books accessible to a larger part of the
Ethiopian population. Arada Books specializes in the publication and
distribution of books on Ethiopian culture.
For
More Information
Arada Books Publishing Plc
P.O.
Box 28668 code 1000
Addis Ababa - Ethiopia
E-Mail:
aradabooks@telecom.net.et
Web site:
http://www.aradabooks.com
Guide to Ethiopia
by
Philip Briggs
This
is a very useful travel guide. Some of the information is outdated
(several new regional airports have been constructed and roads paved
since this edition was published) but presumably the forthcoming edition
will bring the descriptive material up to speed. What really makes this
guide, though, (and why I think it is superior to the Lonely Planet
guide) is the background material on Ethiopian history and culture.
Since it is for historical and cultural reasons (as opposed to say
viewing wildlife) that many travellers will visit Ethiopia, this part of
the book is a real strength, as is the chapter on intercultural
interaction.
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The Kebra Negast
by Gerald Hausman
What
did Jamaican reggae singer Bob Marley and Emperor Haile Selassie I of
Ethiopia have in common? A love for the Kebra Negast, holy book
of Ethiopian Christians and Jamaican Rastafarians. Contemporary scholars
date the Kebra Negast to the 14th century, but it retells the
stories of much earlier Biblical times, one very important story in
particular. According to the Kebra Negast, the Israelites' Ark of
the Covenant was spirited away to the ancient kingdom of Ethiopia by
wise King Solomon's own son, offspring of the union between Solomon and
the exotic Queen Makeda of Ethiopia (a.k.a. the Queen of Sheba). Gerald
Hausman, a consummate storyteller of native traditions, presents the
core narrative of the Kebra Negast, from Adam to the rise of the
Ethiopian Solomonid dynasty. On top of this, he injects his own
encounters with Rastafarians during his travels in Jamaica--dreadlocked
Rastas as modern-day Samsons, their unwavering faith in Jah, and a rare
outsider's glimpse at the Nyabinghi ceremony. The combination of ancient
tale and modern belief give Hausman's Kebra Negast the rich
flavor of enduring truth.
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My Life and Ethiopia's
Progress
The Autobiography of Emperor Haile Sellassie I
by Haile, I Sellassie
By any standard of judgement the 58-year reign of Ras Tafari as regent
(1916-1930) and as Emperor Haile Sellassie (1930-1974), in addition to
being one of the longest, was also one of the most momentous in the
3000-year history of Ethiopia...
The first Autobiography of
Emperor Haile Sellassie is detailed with information on the little giant
of a man who many peoples from all of life consider to be the returned
Christ, the Messiah, or Defender of the Faith. Indeed, a remarkable and
outstanding world leader. Got to read it. First time ever in paperback.
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SIGN AND THE SEAL
by Graham Hancock
English
journalist Hancock retells the circumstances and thoughts that led to
his discovery that the Lost Ark of the Covenant really exists. (Note
that the subtitle is not How Indy and I Raided the Lost Ark.) Hancock
was in Ethiopia in 1983, having been hired by the Ethiopian government
to write and produce a coffee-table book extolling that country. He was
greatly surprised when told that Ethiopia's Falasha Jews did not exist,
and that many people could land in jail, or worse, if he went around
photographing such nonexistents. Even so, off he went to Axum, deep in
the desert, to see the temples and statuary of the Black Jews of
Ethiopia. What he found was a sect that claimed to have the original Ark
of the Covenant. Refused entrance to the sanctuary of the jealously
guarded Ark, Hancock went home--and saw Steven Spielberg's Raiders of
the Lost Ark, which inspired him to investigate the history of the Ark.
Built at the foot of Mount Sinai, Hancock tells us, it ``was deposited
[around 955 B.C.] by Solomon in the Holy of Holies of the First
Temple.'' Later, Hancock says, it was stolen by Solomon's outcast son
and carried south to Ethiopia and kept there for 800 years by a Judaic
cult. Then it apparently was seized by the Knights Templar, who thought
that it was the Holy Grail. The Knights converted the Jews, who kept the
Ark in a great church. And to protect the Ark, all of the churches in
the cult have their own replicas of the Ark: The original is never seen,
even on the holiest days of the year. In 1991, during the Gulf War,
Hancock returned to Axum to see the Ark--and was refused. Not as much
fun as might be hoped as Hancock digs through literary and bibical texts
while convincing himself that the Ark exists. (Sixteen pp. of b&w
photographs--not seen.) -- Copyright ©1992, Kirkus Associates, LP.
All rights reserved.--This text refers to
an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Ethiopia, 3rd: The Bradt Travel Guide
by Philip Briggs
In this comprehensively updated third edition of Ethiopia: The Bradt
Travel Guide containing over 150 pages of new material, Philip Briggs
invites you to share his sense of wonder at a country he describes as
"the most welcoming, enjoyable and uplifting I have ever visited." He
introduces a majestic landscape, a diverse natural history, the richest
historical heritage in sub-Saharan Africa, and an exuberant and
welcoming people who are "quite gloriously bonkers." Inside you'll find:
where to find some of East Africa's rarest wildlife; national parks and
wildlife sanctuaries; historic sites, including the rock-hewn church of
Lalibela - the unofficial eighth wonder of the world - and the ancient
palaces and stelae of Axum; 65 new or revised maps and town plans;
places to eat and to stay. (5 1/4 x 8 1/2, 544 pages, color photos,
maps, illustrations)
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Ethiopia, 4th: The Bradt Travel Guide
by Philip Briggs
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Lonely Planet Ethiopia Eritrea and Djibouti
by Pertti Hamalainen
Ethiopia's millennia-old monuments, Djibouti's stunning diving,
Eritrea's architecture - the Horn of Africa has plenty to offer the
traveller. Use this guide to discover the continent's best-kept secret.
- - over 50 maps, providing comprehensive coverage of the region
- - valuable information on safety and health
- - where to stay, what to eat and when to go
- - special sections on Ethiopia's diverse birdlife, Red Sea
diving, Eritrea's architecture and Djibouti's
geology
- - comprehensive language section covering Amharic, French,
Tigrinyan and Arabic
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Lonely Planet Ethiopian Amharic Phrasebook
by Tilahun Kebede, Catherine Snow
Voices woven through staccato rhythms lead you to a narrow alley.
Laughter flows from beneath a door. It opens to a kaleidoscope of sound
and colour, led by an azmari singing a song of invitation. A waiter
smiles as you glance in the book — you order a bira and some ocholoni.
The day had started with a mountain top view of the Blue Nile and now
the vibrant city nightlife takes you in…
-
new pronunciation guide and Amharic script
-
expanded dictionary with over 1000 words
-
grammar essentials for building your own sentences
-
cultural information and basic travel tips
-
phrases for every traveller
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Colloquial Amharic: The Complete Course for Beginners
by David Appleyard
A thorough course on Amharic--the official language of Ethiopia. Ideal
for anyone seeking to develop a firm command of the language, whether
studying independently or with a teacher.
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The Ethiopians: A History (Peoples of Africa)
by Richard Pankhurst
This is a history of the Ethiopians from pre-history
to the present day. Drawing on research in archeology, anthropology, linguistics
and on recent historiography, the book charts the development of Ethiopian
peoples and their society, placing emphasis on the African origins of Ethiopian
civilization.The book opens with a review of Ethiopian prehistory, showing how
the Ethiopian section of the African Rift Valley has come to be seen as the
"cradle of humanity". It describes, for instance, the discovery of the remains
of the oldest known hominid, "Lucy", in the middle Awash Valley, in 1974. The
book then discusses Ethiopia in biblical time, reconsidering, for example, the
legend of the Queen of Sheba. The author examines the various dynasties that
ruled in the period up to the first Portuguese mission, and explores the
subsequent political and religious struggles between Christians, Muslims and
Falashas. He discusses the social and economic effects of key stages in
Ethiopian history such as the Gondar period and the era of the "Judges".The book
also examines the succession of modernizing monarchs that followed, culminating
in the rule of Emperor Haile Selassie. The book concludes with a review of
Ethiopian history and culture considering contemporary Ethiopia within an
historical context.
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Haile Selassie's War
by Anthony Mockler
"Half-man, half-snake" was how the Emperor
Haile Selassie was described by one of his most ferocious rivals, the eunuch
Balcha, who had commanded the artillery at the battle of Adowa where the first
Italian invasion of Ethiopia was bloodily repulsed. Forty years later the old
Galla warrior was to die, machine-gun in hand, once again attempting, this time
without success to halt the Italian intruders.
Anthony Mocker's immensely readable epic history is
divided
into three parts. First the scene is set in Ethiopia, still feudal, and in
Italy, newly fascist. The second part describes in compelling detail the Italian
invasion and the battles in the
north: it ends with the invaders in undisputed control of their
new Roman Empire and with Haile Selassie living in apparently hopeless exile
near Bath.
The final section recounts how, following Italy's entry into World War II,
British Somali land was invaded and conquered and fears of a British debacle
spread all over East Africa. But then the tide of battle turned. As Mussolini's
dreams crumbled into dust and his armies into defeat, the ex-Emperor, supported
by
the bold but amateurish troops of Orde Wingate's Gideon Force, fought his way
step by step back into full control of his Empire, despite all the attempts to
stop him by Italians, Ethiopians, and even by his allies the British.
First published in 1984, this revised edition of
Anthony Mockler's acclaimed history contains a new foreword by the author.
Praised as "a memorable book" by John Keegan in the Sunday Times, Haile
Selassie's War remains an epic tale of colonial ambition, warfare, and heroism.
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The Quest for the Ark of the Covenant: The True History of the
Tablets of Moses by Stuart Munro-Hay
The
story of one historian's search in Ethiopia to find the Ark of the Covenant A n
object is kept in a chapel in the old crenelated church of Mary of Zion in
Aksum, Ethiopia, that emperors, patriarchs and priests have assured the world is
the most important religious relic of all time: The Ark of the Covenant. Are the
legends true? Or is this story a monumental deception? In a triumph of
historical detective work, acclaimed Ethiopia expert Stuart Munro-Hay traces the
extraordinary legend of Ethiopia's Ark through ancient texts, local stories,
from the Bible and from the writings of sixteenth and seventeenth century
Jesuits up to modern times, before he reaches his conclusions. The Quest for the
Ark of the Covenantpromises to settle the mystery of the Ark in Aksum once and
for all.
A Modern Translation of the Kebra Nagast: (The Glory of Kings)
by Miguel F. Brooks (Editor)
Note from the Editor, This volume contains an English translation of the famous
Ethiopian work, Kebra Nagast, The Glory Of Kings. This book has been held in the
highest honour in Ethiopia for several centuries and has been, and still is,
venerated by the people as containing the final proof of their descent from the
Hebrew Patriarchs, and of the kinship of their kings of the Solomonic line with
Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
In other words, the book proves:
1. That the lawful kings of Ethiopia were descended from Solomon, King of
Israel.
2. That the Tabernacle of the Law of God, the Ark of the Covenant was brought
from Jerusalem to Aksum by Menyelek, Solomon's firstborn son.
3. That the God of Israel transferred His place of abode on earth from Jerusalem
to Aksum, the ecclesiastical capital of Ethiopia.
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Ethiopia, the Unknown Land: A Cultural and Historical Guide
by Stuart Munro-Hay
"Dr. Munro-Hay is a scholar of distinction. His work, always readable, delves
deeply into all aspects of Ethiopia’s ancient history. It can be read with
profit alike by the scholar, the ‘ordinary reader,’ and the tourist intent on
unraveling the mysteries of the beautiful Ethiopian wonderland." --Richard
Pankhurst, Director Emeritus, Institute of Ethiopian Studies, Addis Ababa
"Munro Hay is one of the foremost academic authorities of the region's history
and culture..."--African Business
"This is a highly interesting book, providing a valuable and up-to-date account
of the state of knowledge concerning all the major sites of the country." --Dr.
Patrick Gilkes, journalist and author of A Modern History of Ethiopia
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The Rastafari Ible
by Jahson Atiba I. Alemu
Ethiopia in Pictures (Visual Geography Series) by
Jeffrey Zuehlke
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Notes from the Hyena's Belly
by Nega Mezlekia
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Concise Amharic Dictionary by
Wolf Leslau
Although Amharic is the national language of Ethiopia and English its
international language, until publication of this book in hardcover
there was no concise Amharic-English, English-Amharic dictionary.
Students of Amharic as well as visitors to Ethiopia and foreign workers
will benefit from this concise dictionary with phonetic transcriptions
that allow for its use by those unfamiliar with Amharic script.
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Greater Ethiopia: The Evolution of a Multiethnic Society
by Donald N. Levine
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