Historical Dictionary of Ethiopia and Eritrea

Few countries in Africa have a more glorious history than Ethiopia; few have had as tragic a past. These two aspects of a nation that has struggled to survive over centuries have never been more poignant than today. In the dozen or so years since the first edition, rapid change both worldwide and in Ethiopia necessitated this revised edition. New entries as well as revised and expanded existing ones bring this work up to date. It should be noted that this book was completed shortly before Eritrea withdrew from Ethiopia and became an independent state on May 24, 1993, and therefore contains considerable material on Eritrea as well as Ethiopia, although the former is only treated as a region. It is not unusual in such a time of flux that less should be known about Ethiopia now than two decades ago when things were more settled. This dictionary will help trace some of the people and institutions whose fate was not easy to follow. It also informs us about new leaders and groups that have risen, sometimes quite suddenly, to take their place. However, despite the amazing comprehensive view of Ethiopia as it was until recently, is today, and may perhaps be tomarrow, great attention is paid to more remote history. Added to this are useful entries on the ethnic groups that inhabit the land and their customs and practices, plus an overall view of the economic and cultural situation. The author's introduction provides an overview of the country and its people, religion, languages, education, health conditions, economy, and the like. The dictionary proper gives information succinctly on prominent persons, important historical events, customs, places, and other topics. There is a 200-page bibliography arranged in 20 categories. An unusual feature is an index to the dictionary, multiplying its usefulness by interconnecting related fields.