Literary Heritage
One among
many other things by which Ethiopia is known is suggested to be her literary
heritage. This priceless, rare and valuable literary heritage reflects the
indigenous civilization of the country. In addition to their significance in
manifesting the indigenous civilization, these manuscripts written on religion,
history, language, philosophy, astrology, social, economic and Political...etc.
issues have got a valuable contribution for research.
Nevertheless, the duty of collecting, arranging and preserving them for the
purpose of research and posterity, looked at it from the numbers of
literary heritage found in the country, could be considered as minimal.
It is expected that, Manuscripts created and preserved under the
custodianship of churches, monasteries, and individuals and written in different
languages be estimated to be around 500,000 in number. Nonetheless, out of these
hundreds of original copies, and around 15,000 microfilm copies are collected
and preserved in a scientific way by the National Archives & Library.
a)
Homily of the passion of our Lord and Services for passion week:-
The Manuscript is written on vellum in 2 columns in the Geez Language in the
15th C. The writings are bold and neat. Names and headings are rubricated. Its
size is 46x33.5 cm and has 434 pages with wooden board covered with stamped
leather.
b)
St. Paul Gospel (Bible, New Testament): -
The Manuscript is written on vellum in 2 columns in the Geez Language in the
15th C. The Writings are bold and neat. A painted picture (drawing) of St. Paul
and his followers is seen in the book. Its size is 34.6x25 cm and has 281 pages
and is covered by a hard leather.
c)
The Four Gospel (Bible, New Testament): -
The Manuscript is written on vellum in 2 columns in the Geez language in the
14th C. The writings are bold and neat. Its size is 29.5 x 20.3 cms and has 554
pages. The first 45 pages of the book are filled with painted pictures
(drawings); particularly of Jesus Christ, his followers, Saints, Angels etc. The
book is partially damaged due to manhandling.
d)
Letter of King Thewodros to Queen Victoria of Britain: -
The letter deals with the misunderstanding created between him and the queen. He
also urges the Ethiopian people to go along with the direction he has started so
as to develop the Nation. And finally his dreams to bring about a competent
Nation and the misunderstanding created by his men; and his final repentance is
stated.
e)
Letter of King Menelik II to the King of Moscow Nicolas Cesar II: -
The letter deals with Menelik's Victory over Italians at Adowa in 1896. And
acknowledges the king and the Red Cross Society who were by his side. He also
requested the king to further strengthen the relationship between Ethiopia and
Moscow in the same letter. (It available in digital format)
f)
Letter of King Sahlesselassie of Shoa to the Queen of Britain: -
The letter deals with the reception and dialogues made between the King and the
envoys of the Queen. He further asked to strengthen the ties with Britain in the
same letter.
g)
Psalterium Davidis: -
The Book is written by Johannes Potken in Geez Language with an introduction in
German Language and was printed in Rome, 1513. The Book is printed without
change in the calligraphy of the writer. It is taken as the first printed
publication in Ethiopian history. ( it is available in digital format in
addition to hard copy)
h)
Fetha Negest: - (Nomocanon): -
The Manuscript is written on vellum in 2 columns in the Geez language in the
19th C. The writings are bold and neat. Names and headings are rubricated. Its
size is 22 x 23 cms and has 146 + 7V and a V folio with wooden boards covered
with stamped leather. It is full of marginal notes.
The text is partly damaged by water. Wooden boards broken on one side but connected with some pieces of cords.
The text is badly damaged due to careless handling and long service.
It has marginal notes and designs. It has also illumination. There are musical
notations over the text.
It has plenty of marginal notes and designs. (Microfilm)
i)
Tarike Negest (History of Kings): -
The Manuscript is written on paper in 2 columns in the Geez and Amharic Language
in the 20th Century. The writing is bold and neat. The names and headings are
rubricated. Its size is 21.3 x 16.5 cms, and has 12 folios with paperback cover.
(Microfilm).
j)
Anaphora:-
The Manuscript is written on vellum in 2 columns in the Geez Language in the
17th C. The Writing is bold and neat. The headings and names are rubricated.
There are musical notes over most of the text. It has marginal notes and designs.
Its size is 19.5 x 15.5 cm. and has 78 folio with wooden boards cover.
(Microfilm).
k)
History of Menelik II:-
The Manuscript is written on paper in 1 column in Amharic Language in the 19th
C. The writing is bold and neat. It includes the Government's of Showa and its
Districts and diary and St. Tekle Haimanot and history of Oromo people. Its size
is 21 x 17 cms, and has 178 folios with hard cover. (Microfilm).
l)
Henock: -
The Manuscript is written on vellum in 2 columns in the Geez Language in the
15th Century. The Writing is fine and neat. Its size is 15.5 x 19 cm. and has
160 folios with simple wooden boards cover. There are marginal notes on each
page. Some times the pen changes. It includes 10 other books in between. (It is available
both in Microfilm and digitized format).
