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Periodical article | Leiden University catalogue | WorldCat |
Title: | Secular Themes in Ethiopian Ecclesiastical Manuscripts: An Catalogue of Illustrations of Historical and Ethnographic Interest in the British Library |
Author: | Pankhurst, Richard |
Year: | 1989 |
Periodical: | Journal of Ethiopian Studies |
Volume: | 22 |
Period: | November |
Pages: | 31-64 |
Language: | English |
Notes: | biblio. refs., ills. |
Geographic terms: | Ethiopia Northeast Africa |
Subjects: | manuscripts Gondar polity painting history 1600-1699 1700-1799 Religion and Witchcraft History and Exploration Architecture and the Arts Art, Architecture, Music, Drama Church records and registers Ethnography Illustrations |
External link: | https://www.jstor.org/stable/41965977 |
Abstract: | The manuscript illustrations of the Gondär period, which began in the early 17th century and extended to the late 18th or even early 19th century, are important for their representations of contemporary life in Ethiopia. A sizeable proportion of the best illustrated Gondärine manuscripts found their way to the British Library, which now houses some 75 such works. This study examines the manuscript illustrations at the British Library in order to see to what extent, and in which fields, they serve to document Ethiopian traditional social and cultural life. The discussion is arranged subject-wise as follows: Ethiopian historical figures; the household; agriculture and livestock; forestry, fishing and transportation; natural history; clothing, hairstyles and jewellery; warfare, weapons and tools; the arts; Church and State; social and cultural life; disease and disability; palace and church buildings and their construction. References have been added to some published illustrations from the British Library, as well as in the collection of Lady Meux, which once formed part of Emperor Téwodros's library at Mäqdäla. Reference is also made to manuscript illustrations published in Sotheby's sales catalogues. Ref. |