The Ely miner., 1930-05-23


~ THIOPIA Cor Abyssinia), where
X the worlds newest emperor, Ras
IL Taffari, has just taken his
throne, is the one siZable and
climatically desirable region of Africa
which is not under European influence.
1t sits aloof on its elevated plateau,
unconGuered, little known, and almost
unSung. Its autonomous position,
however, is not for lack of interest,
since it is larger than the republic of
France; it has a delightful and
healthful climate, and its economic
resources have large possibilities. 1t
is rather because it has natural
strategic advantages of location and
because it is inhabited by a wonder
fully patriotic and warlike people,
who have defended it against all
comers.
If we are not too particular in our
analogies, Ethiopia might be called
the Tibet of Africa. 1t has no Dalai
Lama and no forbidden city of Lhasa,
with it's monasteries, but it does have
numerous religious people, ancient
and isolated, living in a mountain
stronghold on the top of continent.
1t is not now exactly closed ter
ritory in the way that Tibet is, but
1t has been practically closed for long
periods in the past and foreign travel
within its borders has always been
very limited. In order to enter it, one
must ask permission of the Ethiopians
(Abyssinians) themselves, rather than
Of some European power. With Af-
ghanistan and Siam, it is one of the
three absolute monarchies left in the
world.
The beginnings of Ethiopia go back
to times of myth and legend. Unlike
Egypt, with which some of its early
history was doubtless connected, it
has left only scanty and very imper-
feet records. That it was peopled
from the north, perhaps from ancient
Judea, with additions from Egypt and
Arabia, is evident. The people. there
fore, are Hamitic and Semitic in ori-
gin.
AS to when and how they arrived,
there is much uncertainty. Appar-
emily we may go back to 1000 B. c.
with some degree of safety; but even
here we have no solid ground of fact
and, since 1T is matter of specula-
tion and inference anyway, there are
those who are willing to believe in
origins as remote as 5000 B. c.
Among these are the Ethiopians
themselves, whose pride of ancestry
may perhaps be excused for being al
lowed to outweigh the accuracy of
their historical chronicles.
Rulers Descended From Solomon.
One of their most cherished tradi-
tions Is that of the descent Of their
line Of rulers from the, offspring of
Solomon and the mysterious queen
Makeda, or, as now designated, the
Queen of Sheba, who is supposed to
have visited King Solomon at Jerusa-
lem about 1000 B. G. From this time
on for some three thousand years
their dynasty is believed to have con-
tinued, and it is certain that, In spite
of many civil, religious, tribal and
foreign conflicts, they have maintained
themselves as a free and Independent
people.
Their territory has expanded or
contracted from time to time, but its
essential integrity has persisted.
Their civil and social customs, lam
guage, and their outlook upon the
rest of the world also have remained
largely unchanged; so today they
stand as anachronisms in world
which is moving at bewildering speed.
Although surrounded by negro tribes
and having some admixture of negro
blood brought in through centuries
of slave-holding, the Ethiopian is by
no means negro. He is dark
skinned, with hair usually kinky and
lips frequently thick, but he has a
good high-bridged nose, well-set eyes,
and a firm chin. To this be adds a
proud and dignified bearing and a
warlike, patriotic spirit, which mark
him in an outstanding manner.
His principal language is Amharic,
an ancient Semitic tongue, but many
languages and dialects are spoken.
There is no literature in Amharic and
only priests can read and write in
Geez. also of Semitic origin, but a
dead language no longer spoken.
Has a Feudal Government.
The government is an old-fasllioned
feudalism, such as flourished in Eu-
rope in the Middle ages. Theoreural
ly, the hereditary ruler is all-powerfIl,
with the life or death of every man in
his hands. All are subject to his call
to arms and, through system OF
provincial governors. Overlords. and
petty chiefs. TO taxation and ether
forms Of service.
Practically. tie system is subject to
ecMle variation; for. in country With
r communication ard many phys
h 'ieFs, might caa make right
where, and il is sometimes
Il man ia rige Ia com
tiroGsh his ovrn eff
l,i.l s..s.eiii, az in
M. .icriiy %. the
n ore degree or