Travels in Abyssinia and the Galla Country
With an Account of a Mission to Ras Ali in 1848

Exceptionally detailed observations of all levels of Abyssinian society written by the first British consul in Abyssinia, published in 1868.

Walter Chichele Plowden (Author), Trevor Chichele Plowden (Edited by)

9781108031455, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 2 June 2011

516 pages, 2 maps
21.6 x 14 x 2.9 cm, 0.65 kg

In 1868, eight years after his death at the hands of Abyssinian tribesmen, the memoirs of Walter Chichele Plowden (1820–60) were published in Britain, having been prepared for publication by his brother Trevor. As the first British consul appointed to Abyssinia in 1848, Plowden was in a unique position to record contemporary local history (although as consul he was not an unequivocal success), and this book contains his detailed account of all levels of Abyssinian society. A close associate of the Emperor Tewodros (Theodore), who slaughtered 2,000 people in retaliation for Plowden's death, he includes a vivid characterisation of this important figure, and provides an exceptionally useful contemporary source for the turbulent history of Abyssinia in the mid-nineteenth century. The book also includes two maps, one of the northern frontier of Abyssinia drawn by Plowden himself, and the other modelled on the British War Office map of Abyssinia.

Preface
1. The north and west frontier of Abyssinia
2. Abyssinia proper
3. The military class
4. Military class continued
5. Religion in Abyssinia
6. Medicine-men
7. Merchants
8. Hot springs of Goramba
9. Country of the Wallo Gallas
10. Visit to Dejaj Bourroo Goscho in Gojam
11. A social party
12. Plundering
13. Lake Tsana
14. Visit to the Gallo Country
15. Attack by Gallas of Jimna
16. Voyage from Massowah to Suez
17. Voyage to Suez continued
18. Mission to Ras Ali
19. Mission to Ras Ali continued
20. Mission to Ras Ali continued
21. Mission to Ras Ali concluded
22. Excursion to the Valley of the Wobas
23. Abyssinia in 1848
24. Political relations with Abyssinia
Glossary.

Subject Areas: African history [HBJH]