PREFACE

This volume contains a complete English translation of the famous Ethiopian work, the KEBRA NAGAST, which means the "Glory of the Kings [of Ethiopia]." This work has been held in special honor in Ethiopia original: "Abyssinia" for several centuries. Throughout that country, it has been, and still is, revered by the people because it contains the ultimate proof of their descent from the Hebrew Patriarchs and the kinship of their kings—who are of the Solomonic line—with Christ, the Son of God.

The importance of the book for both the kings and the people of Ethiopia is clearly shown by a letter that King John of Ethiopia wrote to the late Lord Granville in August 1872. The king wrote: "There is a book called 'Kivera Negust' A variant spelling of Kebra Nagast which contains the Law of all of Ethiopia; the names of the Shûms Chiefs or officials, and Churches, and Provinces are in this book. I pray you find out who has this book and send it to me, for in my country my people will not obey my orders without it." (See below original: "infra", page 27).

The first summary of the contents of the KEBRA NAGAST was published by James Bruce as far back as 1813, but little interest was raised by his somewhat brief summary original: "bald précis". Despite the labors of scholars like Prætorius, Bezold, and Hugues le Roux, the contents of the work are still practically unknown to the general reader in England. It is hoped that the translation provided in the following pages will be useful to those who do not have the time or opportunity to study the original Ethiopic text.

The KEBRA NAGAST is a vast collection of legends and traditions, some of which are historical and some of which are purely folk-