By: Dr. Muhammad Shamsaddin Megalommatis
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Continuing the series of articles on the insightful documentation provided by the Russian Military Officer, Explorer, and Orthodox Monk in his books about his deeds and excursions, observations and explorations in Abyssinia (undertaken over three years 1896 ? 1899), I herewith republish the chapter on the family of the emperor.

Their Satanic hatred of Islam, their devotion to Satan, the master of their incestuous and lawless society, and their desire to expand their rule throughout Eastern Africa is highlighted in the following excerpt:

“In one of the prophecies of Raguil to Atye Zadyngylyu (he received revelations in his sleep and then wrote them down), it is said that a king from the north will be with a king of Ethiopia one in spirit and one in heart. In another prophecy of Angel Auriel to Sahle Selassie, it is said that a king of the north and of Jerusalem will meet with a king of Ethiopia in Mysyr (Egypt) and will conquer Egypt. After this, they will divide among them all the land”.

This chapter testifies to the monstrous and inhuman character and nature of the genocidal Abyssinian state; taking into consideration that the text was not written by an objective academic and an impartial political philosopher but by the last tsar’s envoy, who had also the task to damage the Abyssinian – English relations and increase Russia’s influence in the area whereby the tiny Abyssinian state was allowed by France and England to expand criminally and colonially, one can realize through the lines of the text the extent of the inhumanity and the evil deeds perpetrated by the monsters of Abyssinia over the invaded lands. I will republish further parts of Bulatovich’s book in forthcoming articles, but herewith I make first available a recapitulation of the earlier articles of the series.

All the Oromos, Ogadenis, Afars, Sidamas and others, who fight for their independence, and all the neighboring countries, not only Egypt and Sudan but also Somalia and Eritrea, which are threatened because of the evil, eschatological dreams of Greater Ethiopia, must study, understand and diffuse the insightful documentation available in this book, which was published by the Russian explorer before 110 years; in and by itself it constitutes good reason for the world to be preoccupied with the source of every regional trouble and instability: the Amhara and Tigray (Tewahedo) Monophysitic Abyssinians who rule tyrannically over the lands they invaded and the nations they subjugated.

The fact that the Abyssinians lawlessly and unhistorically have usurped the name of Ethiopia which belongs to Sudan and to the Kushitic African nations, like the Oromos, is only the top of the iceberg. They did so in order to falsely claim what is not theirs, and what has never been theirs: the Nile and the lands that the great river crosses.

Recapitulation

Earlier articles of the present series can be found here:

1st Article: The Oromo Genocide Solemnly Confessed by Official Russian Explorer in Abyssinia (Fake Ethiopia)

Selected and highlighted excerpts from a book ? report published by a Russian explorer, military officer and monk, Alexander Bulatovich, who spent three years in Abyssinia, during the last decade of the 19th century. These excerpts undeniably testify to the Oromo genocide perpetrated by the invading Amhara and Tigray Abyssinian armies, and have therefore to be brought to the surface of political debate by the Oromo political and intellectual leaders at the local, regional and international levels.

2nd Article: Russia, the Oromos, Egypt, Sudan, Abyssinia (Fake Ethiopia), Somalia, Islam & Orthodox Christianity

Republishing further excerpts from Bulatovich’s book, I focused on the possible reasons for Russia’s failure as colonial power in the region. As reasons I identified an inherent Russian quantitative approach to the colonial process and an overall misperception of the past and the present of Asia and Africa, which is due to the Russian academic, intellectual and ideological acceptance of the Anglo-French Orientalism, a bunch of disciplines elaborated by the French and the English academia in order to mainly promote and diffuse an interpretation of data that would suit the interests of the Anglo-French Freemasonry, namely the driving force of the Paris and London regimes.

3rd Article: Abyssinian Colonization of Oromia, Sidama and Kaffa in Bogus Ethiopia. An Early Witness from Russia

Another, longer, excerpt from Bulatovich’s ‘From Entotto to the River Baro’ which bears witness to the evil Amhara and Tigray plans of illegal occupation of the annexed lands and of tyrannical consolidation of the Abyssinian colonialism by means of settlements peremptorily implemented among the subjugated nations.

4th Article: Ethiopia (Oromo) vs. Abyssinia (Amhara). Unbridgeable Ethnic, Cultural Gap Revealed by Bulatovich

Two more excerpts that focus on the Oromo society, namely ‘Galla Clothing’ and ‘Galla Family Life’. The text itself proves that Bulatovich came to get most of the details indirectly, and in this case his treatise is conditioned by the evident lack of access to the original source of information. Sometimes, Bulatovich insists on a wrong term; although he knows that the correct name of the subjugated nation is Oromo, he keeps calling them Galla. Furthermore, Arsi becomes Arussi, and Waaqo turns out to be Wak.

5th Article: Oromo National Identity Diametrically Opposed to Amhara Manner, Russian Officer Bulatovich Reveals

Three chapters dealing with Oromo national identity, religion and language. All the preconceived concepts of the colonial era are herewith present, thus leading Bulatovich to erroneous interpretations. Certainly, the Russian explorer was not a linguist, historian or historian of religions; more importantly, academic exploration was not the primary interest of his travel which was kind of diplomatic reconnaissance. In fact, Bulatovich viewed the Oromos, the Sidamas, the Kaffas, the Amharas and the other nations that he encountered in his travel as the outcome of an interaction occurred at his lifetime with no past! Attempting to explain the origins and the nature of Oromo festivals like that of Borenticha, he never imagined that the closest possible parallel could be that of the Khonsu festival in Ancient Egypt, which took place in May and had a genuinely apotropaic character.

However, the chapter on the Oromo national character is greatly interesting because it demolishes the Ethiopianist myth of a supposed Ethiopian nation. There isn’t and there can’t be any Ethiopian nation other the one identified by the Ancient Greeks and Romans as located south of Egypt, which means the Ancient Kushites and Meroites of Sudan, who are the ancestors of today’s brotherly nations, the Oromos, the Sidamas and the Arabic-speaking Sudanese.

By describing the traits of the Oromos and by clearly indicating that they are diametrically opposed to those of the Amharas (discussed in another chapter of his book that I will republish in a forthcoming article), Bulatoovich destroys the myth of possible Oromo ? Amhara connection and/or affinity.

No common tradition, trait, quality, attribute or interest has ever existed between Africa’s most opposite groups: the indigenous, ancient and authentically Kushitic Oromos and the alien, Yemenite, a-historical and incestuous Amharas.

6th Article: Revelation of the Amhara Fornication: Light on the Anti-Christian Blasphemy of Fake Ethiopia

Further excerpts from the same volume of Bulatovich, providing with his description of the Abyssinians. Reporting accurately and truthfully, Bulatovich offered the Orthodox tsarist Russia’s top authorities a trustful portrait of the unclean and incestuous character of the pseudo-Christian Abyssinian society.

In just few paragraphs, he revealed a well hidden reality about the abysmal reality of the Abyssinian society, namely that, despite apparent faith similarities, the Amhara Tewahedo (Monophysitic) Abyssinians are not Christians; in fact, they constitute a desecrated society rejected by all Christian believers, because they practice a generalized fornication which is incompatible with the Christian creed, faith and principles.

The true barbarous identity of the Amharas is revealed in the chapter on the Abyssinian family that Bulatovich found it necessary to elaborate and submit to the top Russian imperial authorities. In fact, there is no family in the Amhara society whereby an extensive fornication has been imposed by the pseudo-Christian monks. This filthy and barbaric practice makes of the Amhara society the outcast of the Mankind and the embodiment of the savages.

With no family, there is no Christian society. As a matter of fact, Abyssinian eschatology is a corrupt system at the very antipodes of Christianity. Their fake Jesus is the Antichrist mentioned in John’s Revelation, and their eschatological aspirations about another, fake Zion in their dirty and fake Ethiopia apply to a society deprived of marriage and forced into fornication.

It is only for the needs of the Anti-Islamic plot of the Anglo-French Freemasonry and the Zionist movement that the Abyssinians are widely but erroneously considered as Christians.

7th Article: Outrageous Falsehood on Abyssinia (Fake Ethiopia) Rejected: Solomonic Dynasty, Kingdom Do Not Exist

Further excerpts from the same volume of Bulatovich, providing with his description of the Abyssinians. Reporting accurately and truthfully, Bulatovich offered the Orthodox tsarist Russia’s top authorities a convincing presentation and analysis of how and why Abyssinian nobility does not exist ? which consists in a formidable blow against the falsehood of the so-called Solomonic dynasty of Abyssinia, and their connection to the Ancient Hebrews. In fact, there has never been any post-Agaw Abyssinian ‘Kingdom’

The Abyssinian social practice makes it impossible for a king, a dynasty, and a royalty to truly exist. In fact, the expression “Abyssinian kingdom”, referring to practices attested after the fall the Kushitic Agaw political power, is the world’s most obnoxious joke.

Not a single noble man, king or emperor has ever existed in the coarse and incestuous Abyssinian society. From Yekuno Amlak (the lewd, filthy, barefoot murderer of the last Agaw Chritian king Yetbarak) to Haile Selassie there has never been any emperor, any king, and ? more critically ? any nobleman in Abyssinia.

The entire history of post-Agaw Abyssinia is a succession of uncivilized gangsters of incestuous origin, who were peremptorily called ‘noble men’, ‘kings’ or ‘emperors’; they were imposed as such to all the peoples and nations that, with Anglo-French permission and support, the Abyssinians invaded and subjugated.

Of course, all the subjugated nations preserved their noble character and rejected the Amhara fallacy, fornication and barbarism. The memory of their noble past is still alive among them. They remember that as late as the mid 19th century, the Hadiya King rejected to meet the filthy trash that impersonated the Abyssinian “king”. Fornication, incest and prostitution are totally out of nobility and royalty.

This is something the Abyssinians will never understand.

It is essential now to explain why there cannot be any ‘noble men’, ‘kings’ or ‘emperors’ among the Abyssinians.

Due to the absolute lack of family in the Amhara society, as I already exposed in an earlier article (see below), there is no chance for a noblesse to come to existence.

The Abyssinian ‘noble men’ are rubbish collectors called ‘noble men’. Nothing more!

The Abyssinian ‘kings’ are filthy barefoot beggars called ‘kings’. Nothing more!

The Abyssinian ‘emperors’ are dirty beasts called ‘emperors’. Nothing more!

Any incestuous ruler does not make a noble man, let alone king and emperor. In Ancient Assyria and Babylonia, these people were called “son of nobody”, and this exactly what all the anti-Christian, incestuous Abyssinian pseudo-kings have been.

And wherever there is no noblesse, there cannot be any kingdom.

The history of a country whereby incestuous rulers are shamelessly called “kings” and/or “emperors” is not the history of a kingdom or an empire; it’s the history of an incestuous society ruled tyrannically by barbarous and blasphemous rulers.

The history of the Abyssinian states over the past 700 years is therefore the sub-history of an ignoble and monstrous society plunged in incest and fornication.

Abyssinia is nothing more than blasphemy and sacrilege; at a later stage, they added genocide.

8th Article: Russian Officer Bulatovich Relates on Colonial Raids of Abyssinia (Fake Ethiopia) in Kaffa Land I

The entire text of Bulatovich’s first excursion from Entotto to the River Baro,

9th Article: Russian Officer Bulatovich Relates on Colonial Raids of Abyssinia (Fake Ethiopia) in Kaffa Land II

The entire text of Bulatovich’s second excursion from Entotto to the River Baro,

10th Article: The Evil, Colonial State of Abyssinia (fake Ethiopia) Exposed by Bulatovich, the Envoy of Russia

Chapters on the Ethiopian System of Government, the State Government and the Distribution of Land, the Police, the Judicial System and Procedure, the Law and Custom, the Crimes and Punishments, and the Economic Condition of the State ? the Treasury

11th Article: War Criminals of Abyssinia (fake Ethiopia), Their Atrocities Exposed by Bulatovich, Envoy of Russia

Chapter on the Abyssinian army; this part of Bulatovich?s text is also very critical because it highlights (see the section: ‘Conduct of War?) the inhuman practices of environmental disaster spread by the criminal robbers and inhuman soldiers of the Abyssinian state, which supported by England and France, perpetrated the worst atrocities ever attested on African soil and the world?s most appalling and multifaceted genocide.

Ethiopia through Russian Eyes

An eye-witness account of the end of an era, 1896-98 consisting of two books by Alexander Bulatovich

From Entotto to the River Baro (1897)

With the Armies of Menelik II (1900)

Translated by Richard Seltzer (Hidden Email Address, www.samizdat.com)

From Entotto to the River Baro

An account of a trip to the southwestern regions of the Ethiopian Empire 1896-97 by Lieutenant of His Majesty’s Life-Guard Hussar Regiment Alexander Bulatovich

Originally published in St. Petersburg, 1897, Printed by V. Kirshbaum, 204 pages

Reissued in 1971 as part of the volume With the Armies of Menelik II, edited by I. S. Katsnelson of the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Academy of Sciences of the U.S.S.R.”Science” Publishing House Chief Editorial Staff of Oriental Literature Moscow 1971, entire book 352 pages, Entotto pp. 32-156

Translated by Richard Seltzer (from the 1971 edition)

Family of the Emperor

The family of the Emperor consists of his wife — Empress Taitu; two daughters — Shoareg and Zawditu from his first wife Bafana; his grandson from Woyzaro Shoareg — Balambaras Ayale; his uncle Ras Dargi; cousins, sons of Ras Dargi — Dajazmatch Tesemma, Mul Saged, and Lyja Tasfa; cousins — Ras Makonnen and Dajazmatch Haile Maryam.

The Emperor was married in a church ceremony to Empress Taitu in 1881. She comes from a very good family in Tigre. Her grandfather was the well-known Ras Wolda Giyorgis. Before Menelik, she was married three times. Her first husband, Dajazmatch Wandi, is still alive and has a little land, but he does not appear at court. Her second husband, Dajazmatch Wolda Gabriel, was killed by Tewodros who took Taitu for himself. Butshe refused to favor him, saying it was because of illness, for which she was put in chains. On the death of Tewodros, she married a third time, to Kanyazmatch Zakargacho; and then married Menelik, with whom she had a church wedding in 1881, at the age of 30 (she was born in 1851).105 She has had no children with Menelik; but from a previous marriage, she has a daughter who is married to Ras Mengesha. She is very beautiful, with very light skin. She is short and dresses the same as other Abyssinian women. She is notable for her intelligence and her great influence on the Emperor in matters of faith and internal government.

The Emperor’s daughter Shoareg was first married to Ras Area, son of Atye Yohannes. After the death of her first husband, she married Ras Mikael, the ruler of Wollo. During her latest marriage she had a son by Dajazmatch Waju, son of Ras Gobana.

Her son, Balambaras Ayale, is now ten years old. He is a very lively, intelligent child, the very image of Menelik.

Woyzaro Zawditu, married to Dajazmatch Ubye, is childless. She is short, very light — a rather good-looking woman.

Ras Dargi is the third brother of Menelik’s father, Haile Malakot, the son of Sahle Selassie. He was imprisoned together with Menelik at the court of Tewodros. On Tewodros’ death, here turned to his nephew who met him with great honor, and to this time he continues to play an important role at court. The Emperor consults with him about everything, and in conversation Ras Dargi always addresses Menelik with the familiar form of “you,” rather than the formal “you.” (This is exactly how Menelik treated Ras Gobana, his celebrated military commander.)

Ras Dargi has three sons — Dajazmatch Tesemma, Mul Saged, and Tasfa. They sent Tasfa in 1894 to Switzerland to be educated on the guarantee of Count Ilg, who put him in boarding school. But the translator who was with him, having been bribed by Italians, convinced the boy to go over to the side of Italy, and he did so. All who know Tasfa are sorry about this because it is said he was a boy with exceptional abilities.

Dajazmatch Tesemma, the oldest son of Ras Dargi, is the grandson of Atye Sahle Selassie. They say that he is ambitious. They keep him at a distance from the court, and Dajazmatch Wolda Gabriel constantly keeps an eye on him.

Ras Makonnen is a cousin of the emperor, a grandson of a sister of Menelik’s father. At the present moment he is the most popular of all the Abyssinian military commanders — the richest and the strongest. He is very well liked by the emperor. All foreign affairs are conducted through him and on his advice.

This is a man remarkable for his abilities and intelligence. He is a widower with two sons.

Dajazmatch Haile Maryam, brother of Ras Makonnen, is the former type of a feudal lord. Alternately with Dajazmatch Ubye, he stands guard over the emperor and the capital.

Thus, from this list we see that there are three possible pretenders to the throne: first Dajazmatch Tesemma, second Balambaras Ayale, and third Ras Makonnen.

We will be careful not to predetermine what the future will show, except only what you can almost guarantee — namely that there is no way to avoid civil war if Menelik does not name his successor before his death and prepare the ground for him. The succession to the throne is the sorest subject in the present-day Ethiopian empire.

The personality of Emperor Menelik is probably so well known that I can scarcely add to his character, and there remains to me only to repeat what others have said — that this is in the highest degree a bright, genial, cheerful person. He is one of those historical figures who appear at intervals of many centuries and who make their own era in history.

Abyssinians are filled with deep respect and love for their Emperor. They relate to him prophecies that came to King Zadyngylyu from Angel Raguil and to Sahle Selassie from Auriel.

They have besides a whole book of prophecies that they keep in secret. There are prophecies that they relate to Russia. In one of the prophecies of Raguil to Atye Zadyngylyu (he received revelations in his sleep and then wrote them down), it is said that a king from the north will be with a king of Ethiopia one in spirit and one in heart. In another prophecy of Angel Auriel to Sahle Selassie, it is said that a king of the north and of Jerusalem will meet with a king of Ethiopia in Mysyr (Egypt) and will conquer Egypt. After this, they will divide among them all the land.

The government of Menelik is distinguished for its gentleness, in contrast to the previous reign, and for its justice and tact.

Menelik’s motto is justice and his main rule is: never stretch the strings too hard so as not to break them. All these qualities have strengthened the throne for him, and his wisdom, military abilities and military good fortune have expanded the boundaries of the empire to an extent that his predecessors never dreamt of.

The court of the emperor and court etiquette are determined by a special book Kybyra Negest “The Honor of Kings.”106 There is found the ceremonial of coronation. At the present time not all the rules of the Kybyra Negest are carried out.

In the eighteenth century, judging by the accounts of d’Abaddie and other travelers, at the court of the emperor there was a council of four likaunts (clergy chosen from several ancient families) and four azzajs. This council shared with the emperor the functions of justice and government and could, in some cases, exercise a veto. I did not find such an institution today. At this time, they do call the highest clergy likaunts, and they are present during trials; but there are not four of them — rather there is an undetermined number — and they are not specially chosen. There are five azzajs at the emperor’s court, but they are exclusively for economic necessities, and do not wear turbans, like clergy.

Let’s add the following list of court ranks:

Likamakos — adjutant general, a title which is held by two people: Abata (commander of the artillery) and Adenau. Abata is a young, talented man, who distinguished himself at Adowa, a favorite of the Emperor and Empress, but not liked by the rest of the court. Adenau did not manifest valor at Adowa and therefore is in disfavor.

Bajeronds are chiefs of separate divisions of the economic management. There are three of them: Bajerond Balcha is a favorite of the Emperor, a hero of the recent war, wounded at Adowa. He guards the whole treasury and jewels and is an assistant of Likamakos Abata in the management of the artillery.

Bajerond Katama is the commander of the imperial guard. He is also responsible for distribution of all letters and decrees of the Emperor in the whole empire. Bajerond Wolda Giyorgis manages the gold and silver smiths of the Emperor.

Azzajs manage the personal lands of the Emperor and parts of the court household.

Azzaj Wolda Tadik escaped from Tewodros. He is a favorite of the Emperor and managers Ankober.

Azzaj Bezaby manages Menjar and part of the court household.

Azzaj Gyzau manages Meta and all the food supply parts of the court of the Emperor (to him also is entrusted the care of distinguished foreigners).

Ato Vadaju is the assistant of Azzaj Gyzau.

Azzaj Aba Tekhsas manages the court of the Empress. (He is noted for great personal bravery. At Adowa he carried the imperial parasol.)

There are several agafari, “those who bring in” or gentlemen in waiting.

Ya elfin askalakay Ishaka Ibsa is “he who forbids entrance to the inner chambers.” He commands all the court guards and stays near the Emperor all day. He manages admittance to the emperor.

Ishaka Ibsa is still a young man, raised from childhood by the Emperor.

Agafari Wolda Gabriel manages the official audiences of the Emperor.

In addition to these main ones, there are still some more agafaris, and one separate agafari for the court of the Empress.

Walderas is the chief of the stables.

Asalafi is the gentleman carver and high cup bearer. During dinner he cuts the Emperor’s food in pieces and gives it to him.

Elfin ashkers are servants of the inner chambers, in the sense of gentlemen-in-waiting. There are many of them. Most of them are children of former chief officers of the army. There are several relatives of former emperors. From childhood they are raised at court as pages, and then become elfin ashkers. Their responsibility is to escort the emperor here. Those among them who distinguish themselves and demonstrate their abilities are chosen for higher posts.

In addition to these people, there are managers of separate parts of the court household: managers of cooks, of bakers, of makers of beer and mead, and of smiths.

At court there are two translators: Gerazmatch Iosif, a favorite of the emperor, accompanied Ras Makonnen during his journey to Italy. This very intelligent person has influence in foreign affairs.

Ato Gabriel translates clippings from French and Egyptian newspapers and manages foreign mail.

The Emperor’s priest is Ychygye Gebra Selassie.

The chief secretary of the Emperor, who manages all the emperor’s correspondence on all matters is Alaka Gebra Selassie.

The abilities and memory of this man are truly enormous. He works like no one else. His office consists of several copyists.

He conducts all the internal correspondence, and he must remember everything. There are no incoming or outgoing journals.

Correspondence with all the provinces is enormous, and he must really be notable for outstanding capabilities in order to be in condition to look into all these matters and not confuse them.

Protection in the capital is entrusted, in turn, to the troops of Dajazmatch Haile Maryam and those of Dajazmatch Ubye.

There are several Europeans at court: Count Ilg serves as Minister of Public Works and Chief Advisor on Foreign Affairs.

His position has now become official since he received in March, together with Mr. Mondon, the rank of state councilor — mangyst mekerenya. (Mondon is the official representative of the French government. Another person from the French government, Mr. Clochette,107 a former captain of the French naval artillery, is their secret military agent.)

Mr. Dyuba manages the suburban forest of Mangasha. He is a French deserter, a former lieutenant of a cuirassier regiment. He deserted in 1870.

Tigran, an Armenian goldsmith, is very well liked by the Emperor and Empress. An Armenian is gardener. A Greek is baker. The Emperor’s day begins at dawn. At 6 o’clock in the morning he already takes the daily report of his secretary Alaka Gebra Selassie. In good weather, this takes place on the terrace in front of the court, and no stranger can be present during it.

Having finished with the report, the Emperor goes to look at construction that is under way and work in the court or rides to the quarry, to the forest, etc. He always takes advantage of such occasions to utilize the soldiers who accompany him. For example, if he rides past a quarry, then he gets down off his mule and takes a stone, and all those traveling with him must do likewise.

On such excursions, he usually rides on a luxuriously adorned mule, dressed just like all the others except that there is a large felt hat with gold lace on its head . They carry a red parasol over the Emperor. In front they lead two of his horses in case His Majesty wants to play guks, which happens very frequently. (The Emperor is an excellent cavalryman). Supper is served at eleven o’clock on meat days and at two or three o’clock on fast days. With the exception of Thursdays, Sundays and high holidays, the Emperor dines in the elfin (inner chambers) with the Empress. Only the very closest associates are allowed there, as, for example, Ras Dargi, Ras Makonnen, and some other balamuals. (People who have permission to enter the inner chambers without previous announcement are called balamuals).

Dinner continues long and consists of dishes that are generally accepted in Abyssinia. After dinner, the Emperor rests for an hour or two and then again he either receives or takes care of business or visits workshops. At six o’clock in the evening, the suite dissolves to their own houses. At seven o’clock, supper is served in the inner chambers. Only some of the very closest elfin ashkers and Ishaka Ibsa are present there. At nine o’clock, the Emperor goes to bed. On Wednesdays and Fridays, the Emperor goes out personally to hold court. On Thursdays, Sundays and on high holidays, there is a gybyr — a meal for all officers, soldiers of the guard, and, on high holidays, for the whole populace. One is notified about dinner by the beating of kettledrums. Dinner is held either in large tents or in a separate building called Aderash. First, the Emperor himself eats, separated from others by a red silk curtain. Inside, behind the curtain, only balamuals are allowed. Our mission also had this honor. After the Emperor has finished his meal, the curtain is opened and others are admitted. Trumpeters and flutists go in front. After them, a dense crowd goes. Not bowing to the Emperor, but only wrapping themselves in their shammas in accord with etiquette, they take seats close around baskets with injera. Over each basket, a servant holds a large piece of raw fresh-killed meat. Other servants pass out large horn goblets of tej to those who are dining. Having sated themselves, the dinner guests, without saying anything and not bowing to anyone, leave just as they had come. During dinner, the trumpeters play malakots and the flutists play embiltas.

During breaks, they drink and azmari [itinerant musicians] play violins. Dinner lasts several hours; and on high holidays it lasts from nine o’clock in the morning until four o’clock in the afternoon.

Twelve times a year, during the monthly Mother of God holidays, there are dinners of the Society of Mary (Makhaber Zamariem). This Society consists of the Emperor and eleven of his closes balamuals. On these days, the Emperor eats on the floor from one basket with the rest of the members of the Society. When a member is absent, in his place they seat another person chosen by the Emperor. Each member in order treats the others to dinner. (The main members of this Society are Ras Dargi, Ras Makonnen, Afa-negus Nasibu, Ras Wolda Giyorgis, Ras Mengesha Bituaded, Dajazmatch Ubye, Dajazmatch Tesemma, Dajazmatch Haile Maryam, Likamakos Abata, and Alaka Gebra Selassie.)

Ceremonial receptions take place in a separate building called Adebabay. This is a pavilion made of carved wood. The platform ends in railings to which is attached, from inside, an alga (bed) which signifies the throne of the Emperor. From the platform downwards goes a wide staircase, and under the throne a second platform, where stands the person who is being received in audience. During the reception, everything is covered with carpets. The Emperor is surrounded by his whole suite. The Emperor received the Red Cross Mission in Aderash, which was specially outfitted for this occasion. Appointments to posts and ceremonial receptions of those who have killed elephants and lions take place in Saganeyt, the same place as the law court.

On the appointment of someone to a post and the granting to him of a region, they announce this by beating on kettledrums, and an auaj or herald proclaims the new appointment. The newly appointed person bows down to the ground before the Emperor; and then, accompanied by all his friends and servants, goes home with songs, dances, and firing of guns, and gives at home a feast for all who come, which lasts several days. Such ovations and feasts also take place in case of someone having killed an elephant or a lion.

The Emperor very zealously fulfills his duties as a Christian. He strictly observes fasts and during the great fast on Wednesdays and Fridays does not eat until sunset and sometimes spends the night in church on the floor. Each holiday he attends mass. He also makes large donations to churches.

Notes
Footnotes are written by the author indicated with the initial block letter as per below:

B: = Bulatovich, author
K: = Katsnelson, editor of the Russian reprint
S: = Seltzer, translator

105 K: Taitu married Menelik in April 1883.

106 K: Kebra Nagest which means “Glory of the Kings” is a collection of historical and church legends and traditions, of the apocrypha, etc. Here appears the well-known story about King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba, from which supposedly the dynasty of Ethiopian kings arose. Mentions of this collection date back to the fifteenth century. (See, Kebra Nagast czyli Chwala Krolow Abysinii. Fragmenty, Warsaw, 1956, page 8).

107 K: Captain Clochette died in 1897 in Gore.

Note
Picture: ‘Full dress uniform of an Abyssinian general? says Bulatovich; you can guess that this is the bloodiest and filthiest object on earth.
From: http://www.samizdat.com/bulatovichphotos/illustrations/full-dress%20uniform%20of%20an%20Abyssinian%20general.jpg

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