Prof Mammo Muchie writes on August 31/2001

NB. I do not know who translated the I, II, III proclamations I am posting. I have not seen the Amharic version yet. But for the record, it shows Emperor Menelik was a progressive and modernizing historical figure..

Please read these

I. Proclamation AWAJ (Page 34)

Two years before Emperor Menelik wrote the letter to Abba Jiffar, he had put a legislation in effect to abolish slavery.

"----- I have told you before again and again to stop selling and buying slaves. However, you have continued this practice secretly. Moreover, in the remote areas, I have heard that the people have started selling their wives as well as their kids. I remind you again, whether in remote areas or any other place, abolish this inhuman practice.

If you are found buying and selling slaves, I will imprison you and your family and hand you over to someone as workers. "

Yekatit 29, 1900 Ethiopian Calendar

Written in Addis Ababa

II. After learning that Abba Jifar was still involved in slave trade Menelik wrote him the following letter.

The Oromo that came to your administrative region from Jangero should not and must not be treated as a slave claiming owner-ship of their offsprings to sell them, exchange them, and mistreat them below human dignity.

The fact that their forefathers and themselves lived for so long with you should make them part of you, and you should not label them as slaves. Also, do not claim, and argue in public that they are your belongings. No human being is as such a slave. All of us are slaves to one God only. Just because one is destined to be a ruler, it does not give this person the right to be inhuman to others.

With the will of God, the Gondere's reside in Shoa with me after my return. If it is their will to go back, will I hinder them from doing so, or will I claim that they are my slaves? As a matter of fact, people have the right to reside wherever they wish; if they want to move to Jangero or to some other place from your region, you must not stop them. If the people from Jangero choose to live in your region, the governor of Jangero should not and must not have any objection, and bar them from doing so. The poor should be free to live wherever they wish.

Yekatit 8, 1902 Eth. Calendar, written in Addis Ababa.

AWAJ (Page 34)

Two years before Emperor Menelik wrote the letter to Abba Jiffar, he had put a legislation in effect to abolish slavery.

Yekatit 29, 1900 Ethiopian Calendar

III. Menelik's proclamation encouraging craftsmanship and education.

AWAJ

Previously, the blacksmith were called "teyib", the one who weaves, "shemane", the writer, "tenquay", the one who serves in the church, "debtera", the one who produces "tikur and nech" teff that should be respected greater than the throne, "gebere'", the merchant who trades gold, "negade' getaba atabi". You insult the ones who work hard where as the ones with children who know nothing belittle the brave ones. All are created from Adam and Eve. There is no other special creation on this earth.

This problem emanates from your ignorance. Even Adam was told " bela be'afe getseke" (Ge'ez). In the other part of the world, Europe, those who designed cannon, rail road, rifle, on top of other things with the help of God given brilliance, is called an engineer; this type of person is highly appreciated and honored in their society. However, you insult our brave people so much that you hinder Ethiopia from marching towards civilization.

From now on, anyone found insulting my people is insulting me. If you are caught calling names, you will be jailed for one year. If the Balabats in the other part of the country have problems doing so, just send me the trouble maker, and I will deal with him/her personally.

Written January 17, 1900