Memory of the World; 2012 - unesdoc - Unesco

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Treasures from National
Archives and Library
organizations
Inscribed 1997
What are they
These treasures are a small selection of rare Ethiopian
manuscripts and include religious texts of the 14th
and 15th centuries; royal correspondence to European
monarchs; the first printed Ethiopian publication (1513);
and manuscripts from the 18th to the 20th century,
relating Ethiopian history.
Why were they inscribed
Ethiopia has rare, precious and priceless manuscripts
mainly written in the Geez language in the form of verse
and prose which reflect its indigenous civilization.
Where are they
National Archives and Library, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
It is estimated that there are some 500,000 historical
manuscripts in Ethiopia. Aware of their historical,
religious, philosophical, artistic and socio-cultural
values, the Ethiopian National Archives and Library has
been collecting manuscripts for scholastic research and
preservation for future generations. A few highlights
of their manuscript collection are included in this
inscription and are detailed below.
The manuscript of the Fourth Gospel was written on
vellum in the Geez language in the 14th century. The first
forty-five pages of the book are filled with painted images,
particularly of Jesus Christ, his followers, saints and angels.
The Homily of the Passion of our Lord and Services for
Passion Week was written on vellum in the Geez language
in the 15th century. The writing is bold and neat, and the
text is bound with wooden boards covered with stamped
leather. The manuscript of St Paul’s Gospel was written
on vellum in the Geez language in the 15th century. It
includes a painted picture of St Paul and his followers.
The manuscript of Henock was written on vellum in the
Geez language in the 15th century. The writing is fine
and neat and there are marginal notes on each page.
The Psalterium Davidis was written by Johannes Potken
in the Geez language with an introduction in German and
was printed in Rome in 1513. It is considered to be the first
printed publication in Ethiopian history. The manuscript of
Anaphora was written on vellum in the Geez language in
the 17th century. There is musical notation over most of the
text and it has marginal notes and designs. From the 19th
century The Letter from King Tewdros to Queen Victoria
of Britain, the Letter from King Menelik II to Tsar Nicolas
II of Russia and the Letter from King Sahleselassie of Shoa
to the Queen Victoria of Britain deal with the relations,
not always cordial, between Ethiopia, Britain and Russia.
The manuscript Fetha Negest (Nomocanon) was written
on vellum in the Geez language in the 19th century. The
manuscript of the History of Menelik II was written on
paper in the Amharic language in the 19th century. It has
marginal notes and designs, is illuminated and contains
musical notation. The manuscript of the Tarike Negest
(History of Kings) was written on vellum in the Geez and
Amharic languages in the 20th century.
Treasures from National Archives and Library organizations 127