Enarea under 9°, to Tscherkin and Waldubba under 15° N. lat.;
wbere they make a sudden and often precipitous descent into tbe
stunted forests occupied by the Shangalla Negroes. From east to
west they extend over 9° of longitude. Rising at tbe steep border
or terrace of Taranta from tbe depressed tract along tbe Arabian
Gulf, tbey reacb tbe mountains of Fazoleo, Dyre and Touggoula;
wbicb overbang tbe flat, sandy districts of Sennàar and tbe valleys
of Kordofan. (R it t e r .)
Tbe researches of Bruce, Salt, Ritter, and Beke, bave sbown that
tbe bigb country of Habesb, Abyssinia, consists of three terraces or
distinct table-lands, rising one above another; and of wbicb tbe
several grades or ascents present themselves in succession, to tbe traveller
who advances from the shore of tbe Red Sea.227
Tbe plain of Baharnegash is first met after traversing tbe low and
arid steppe of Sambard, inhabited by the black Danàkil and Dumboeta,
where tbe traveller ascends tbe heights of Taranta.
Thè next level is the kingdom of Tigré, wbicb formerly contained
the kingdom of Axum. Within this region He the plains of Enderta
and Giralta; containing CheHcut and Antalow, principal cities of
Abyssinia. Tbe kingdom of Tigré comprehends tbe provinces of
Abyssinia westward of tbe Tacazze, of wbicb tbe larger are Tigré
and Shire towards the north, Woggerat and Enderta and tbe mountainous
regions of Basta and Samen towards the south.
High Abyssinia—kingdom of AmTiara—is a name now given to tbe
realm of wbicb Gondar is tbe capital, and wbere tbe Amharic language
is spoken, eastward of tbe Tacazze. Ambara proper is a
mountain province of tbat name to the southeast, in the centre of
which was Tegulat, tbe ancient capital of tbe empire ; and, at one
period, tbe centre of civilization of Abyssinia. This province is now
in tbe possession of tbe GaUa ; a barbarous people who have overcome
tbe southern parts of Habesb. Tbe present kingdom of Ambara is
tbe heart of Abyssinia, tbe abode of tbe Emperor or Negush. It contains
tbe upper course of tbe Blue Nile. The climate is delightful—
perpetual spring ; and tbe mean elevation about 8000 feet. Tbe upland
region of Ambara, or rather tbe province of Dembea, breaks off
towards tbe northeast, by a mountainous descent into tbe plains of
Sennàar and lower Ethiopia. On tbe outskirts of tbe highlands, and
at their feet, are tbe vast forests of Waldubba and Walkayat, abound
ing with troops of monkeys, elephants, buffaloes and wild boars.
The human inhabitants of these tracts and tbe adjoining forests, and
likewise of tbe valleys of tbe Tacazze and tbe Angrab, are Shangalla
Negroes, who in several parts environ tbe bill-country of
Abyssinia.228
Races inhabiting Abyssinia.—Several different races inhabit tbe old
empire of tbe Negusb or Abyssinian sovereign, who are commonly
included under tbe name of Habesh or Abyssinians. Tbey differ in
language, but possess a general resemblance in their physical characters
and customs. Whether they really are of unique origin is a
question which science has no data for settling. Those who befieve
tbat tbe Hebrew and tbe Hottentot (as well as camels and cameleo-
pards) are of one and tbe same stock, will unhesitatingly answer in
tbe affirmative.
|§ The Tigrani, or Abyssins of Tigré.—These are tbe inhabitants of
tbe kingdom of Tigré, on tbe east of Tacazze — speaking tbe lingua
Tigrana.
2. The Amharas.—Tbey have for ages been the dominant people
of Abyssinia, and speak tbe widely-spread Amharic language.
3. The Agows.—There are two tribes bearing this appellation, who
speak distinct tongues, and inhabit different parts of tbe country.
4. The Falashas.—This race has much puzzled ethnographers, and
their histoiy is involved in obscurity. Tbey possess strong affinities
with tbe Fulabs on tbe western coast, and hâve not only been supposed
by many to be of tbe same stock, but both have been regarded
as identical with tbe Kafirs (Caffres) of Southern Africa. Tbe Falashas
are Jews in religion, though their language has no affinity with
tbe Hebrew ; and tbey use the Gbeez version of tbe Old Testament.
5. The G-afats are another tribe, possessing a language of their
own.
6. The G-ongas and Enareans have also a language distinct from all
tbe above.
There are other tribes wbicb might be enumerated, speaking languages
hitherto irreconcilable.229 Whether these really present affinities,
or whether some of them be not radically distinct, are questions
yet undetermined.
Physical Characters. — Human races of tbe plateaux of Abyssinia
are said to resemble each other, although it is admitted on all bands
tbat tbey vary considerably in complexion and features.
Prichard, who has brought aH his immense erudition to bear on
these families, cuts them loose entirely from Negro races ; and classes
them under tbe bead of Ethiopians ; who, we shall see, have been
very improperly confounded with Negroes. After treating on tbe
general resemblance, in physical characters, of these nations, be
concludes —
“ By this national character of conformation, the Abyssinians are associated with that
class of African nations which I have proposed to denominate by the term Ethiopian, as
distinguishing them from Negroes. The distinction has indeed been already established by
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