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A History of Modern Ethiopia, 1855–1974 by Bahru Zewde London, James

Currey; Athens, Ohio University Press; Addis Ababa University Press; 1991. Pp.
x + 244. £25.00. £9.95 paperback...

Article in The Journal of Modern African Studies · September 1993

DOI: 10.1017/S0022278X00012167

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 REVIEWS 521

A History of Modern Ethiopia, 1855-1974 by BAHRU ZEWDE

London, James Currey; Athens, Ohio University Press; Addis Ababa
University Press; 1991. Pp. x + 244. £25.00. £9.95 paperback.

This informative and well-written study meets the long-standing need for a
concise and authoritative survey of Ethiopian history. Bahru Zewde, a senior
lecturer at the University of Addis Ababa, has produced a very balanced
textbook which is likely to be used for many years to come, not least because
it integrates in exemplary manner the main developments in the country's
history since 1855 about which ' Ethiopianists' may be familiar, but which are
rarely seen painted on a larger canvas. The author has formulated his account
with reference to discussions taking place in the various sub-fields of political,
economic, and cultural history, and inter alia provides many points for further
research. Much invaluable information stems from the theses of students in the
University who have undertaken fascinating fieldwork in, for example, the
oral history of Ethiopian regions and cultures. An additional attraction of this
book is the well-chosen series of illustrations — maps, drawings, and photo-
graphs - from not easily accessible publications and archival collections.
A History of Modern Ethiopia, iBufi—igfli starts with the scene in the first half of
the nineteenth century, including the external challenge. This introductory
background is followed by three chapters that deal, respectively, with the
reigns of Emperors Tewodros II and Yohannes IV, the great centralising and
modernising monarchs of the Ethiopian Highlands (pp. 27-80), and the years
of confrontation with the Italians from their defeat in 1896 to their invasion
in 1935 (pp. 81—149) a n d occupation until 1941 (pp. 150-77). A final chapter
(pp. 178-227) covers the period from 1941 to 1974 which 'represents a
summation of modern Ethiopian history' (p. 178). Although written before
the change of regime in Addis Ababa in May 1991, many will be disappointed
to find that Bahru gives no indication at all of what happened after 1974. The
common (only partly acceptable) historical opinion is, of course, that not
enough time has elapsed to put the ensuing deeply tragic era in its proper
perspective. But if perhaps even a postscript had been included, readers would
have been able better to address the author's final assertion that the oppression
and repression of the late Emperor's years ' mutually reinforced each other
until they attained their logical conclusion in the Revolution of 1974' (p. 231,
my emphasis). It would also have provided the opportunity to set out lines and
prospects for future research on the post-Revolution period.
Be that as it may, the major themes of Ethiopian history, which we know
from the more specialised works of leading scholars, have been treated with
astute insight and woven into a skilful overall fabric: the geo-politics of the
various regions in and around the Highlands; the heritage of the struggle
between Christianity and Islam; the policies of the dynasties; the quest for
state formation; the poly-ethnic social structure; the complex relations with
foreigners; and the development and effects of'modernisation' under Hayla-
Sellase (the author's spelling).
The interpretative framework might be called political-economic or
materialist, i.e. major episodes and crucial moments in Ethiopian history are
mostly explained with reference to power struggles, economic processes, and

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 522 REVIEWS

competition of persons or groups caught in a common arena and having

conflicting stakes. For example, the early nineteenth century revival of
European interest in Ethiopia is seen as having in essence economic origins:
'The manufacture of industrial goods far in excess of what Europe itself could
consume made the conquest of the African market imperative' (p. 24). This
argument may not be very convincing. I wonder if any quantitative analysis
of flows and transfers of commodities would sustain such a claim if we consider
the non-monetised 'economies' of Africa at the time. The first explorers of
Africa, including Ethiopia, were much more the exponents of a growing, and
relatively autonomous, tradition of scientific travel, which had started in the
late seventeenth century and which could be continued because of the
emergence of the Western bourgeois middle classes of the eighteenth century.
The feelings of superiority of this expanding stratum of European society
perhaps found their clearest expression in missionary efforts. Although it was,
indeed, the improvement in economic conditions that enabled more expensive
explorations to be undertaken, this does not logically mean that those made
by, for example, James Bruce, Eduard Ruppel, and Mansfield Parkyns were,
as a rule, economically motivated. Also, due to the local conditions in
Ethiopia, many foreign visitors were perhaps often forced to be involved in
'political' or economic matters against their will.
Bahru gives due attention to the significance of the Battle of Adwa, where
Italy was defeated in 1896 by the Ethiopian armies of Emperor Menilek II,
and also provides a good description of the feudalist socio-economic order of
the country, including the slave-trade and foreign mercantile capital and
concessions. His brief but very clear survey is essential for understanding the
rural society of that period. One of the most interesting sections concerns the
emergence of the Ethiopian intelligentsia in the 1920s and 1930s, a group
ruthlessly decimated by the occupying Italians after 1936. In a later chapter,
the economic basis of the regime headed by Hayla-Sellase after 1941 is
analysed, and the Emperor's achievements (often exaggerated but still not to
be neglected) in the field of modernisation are cut down to size.
While social and economic developments are thus given due attention, this
history retains its mainly political character as a story of the interplay of
persons, social and political groups, and foreign powers. Much prominence is
given to the deeds of the great Emperors, notably Tewodros II, Yohannes IV,
and Menilek II, as well as their domestic and foreign adversaries. In an
admirably concise yet clear manner, all the crucial events until 1974 are
presented, notably the rise of Hayla-Sellase, the Italian campaign and
occupation, the patriots' resistance movement, the post-war ' consolidation of
absolutism' by the Emperor, and the emerging rebellions, including the 1960
coup d'etat and the student protests. Given that the book is an introduction to
Ethiopian history, I think that a good balance has been struck between long-
term structural processes and the agency of leading personalities.
Due to his interpretative stance of several issues, Bahru stimulates rethinking
and further debate on modern Ethiopian history - for example, on the impact
of imperialism in Ethiopia, and on the nature and motivation of Hayla-
Sellase's 'absolutism', that intriguing mix of power consolidation and gradual
societal reforms. The author's very critical assessment of the Emperor would

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 REVIEWS 523
have been put in a better perspective if some survey had been offered of the
post-1974 period, with a regime that magnified the problems that existed under
Hayla-Sellase's reign. In what sense is it true that Ethiopia on the eve of the
Italian invasion was 'less united' than it was in the time of Menilek II, when
still in its 'feudal harmony' (p. 159) ? There were many other factors involved
in Ethiopia's defeat in 1936. And what about the persistent, nation-wide
resistance by patriots during the Italian occupation? More research is also
needed into the process of transformation of the old nobility into the new
upper class, developing new policies and stratagems under Hayla-Sellase.
As always in such a general work, there are some statements which a
specialist of certain themes or regions would challenge or wish to correct. For
this reviewer, anthropologist by training, such details are few, but for instance
I would neither call the Dizi people ' Maji' nor say that they were not so highly
organised as other Omotic-speaking peoples (p. 7) - in fact, they were one of
the most complex hierarchical chiefdom-societies in southern Ethiopia.
Incidentally, what Bahru also implicitly demonstrates is that arguments
about Ethiopia being largely a 'fiction' have a rather doubtful factual basis.
Of course, there are debates about its historical, religious, and national
identity. But certainly when compared to almost any other country in the
continent - or, for that matter, elsewhere - the economic, social, and cultural
linkages and chains of interdependence between the various ethno-regional
groups in the so-called ' periphery' and those in the Highland areas are very
evident during vast tracts of history. Understandably, the way in which these
close relationships were politically articulated (often by conquest and
exploitation) has always been contested - but this does not nullify their
validity.
A History of Modem Ethiopia is highly recommended as an essential and
stimulating introduction to understanding this ancient and important African
country.
JON ABBINK
Institute of Cultural and Social Anthropology, University of Nijmegen,
The Netherlands

Slavery and African Life: occidental, oriental, and African slave

trades by P A T R I C K M A N N I N G
Cambridge University Press, 1990. Pp. xi-h 236. £30.00. $49.50. £g.95/$i4.95
paperback.

Millions of Africans were exported over a period of more than 300 years as
slaves to the Americas (or Occident) and the Middle East (or Orient). Vast
numbers also died in the processes of capture and voyage. Almost a century
has passed since this forcible export of men (mainly) and women officially
ceased, yet its legacy still haunts us. Today, Africa is the least developed
continent in the world. It is also, with the exception of Australia, the least
populated.
Slavery and African Life: occidental, oriental, and African slave trades provides
useful, in some cases fresh, insights into this terrible era. Although in large part

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