Page:Statesman's Year-Book 1921.djvu/710

 658 ABYSSINIA

militia. Besides the above, a varying number of irregulars may join the army on the outbreak of war. The standing army, instituted by Menelik, forms iu effect the paid standing garrison of each province, and might amount altogether to something under 100,000 men. Both they and the militia amounting to perhaps another 200,000 men, are very loosely organised, and have very little in the shape of transport or modern equipment. Practically every man is armed with a rifle, and often with shield and sword as well.

Population.

The population, which is of Semitic origin, consists of four groups — the Gallas and Somalis, in the south and south-west, the Shoans in the centre, the Tigrians in the north, and the Danakil in the east. The Gallas comprise one-half of the entire population, and are a pastoral and agricultural people. The Shoans number 1,500,000 and furnish the ruling class. Every- one is a soldier, and the present ruler depends upon them to maintain her sovereignty. The Tigrians are a lighter coloured people and show their Semitic descent. They formerly furnished the rulers of Ethiopia. The Danakil are Mohammedans, and on account of the inaccessibility of their country preserve a sort of independence, merely paying an annual sum to the Emperor as a tribute. There are also some Negroes (in the South-West), and the Falashas (of Jewish religion); in the N. E. centre with a number of non-natives (Indians, Arabs, Greeks, Armenians, and a few Europeans) in the towns.

Except Harar, and perhaps in the north, there are no towns in Abyssinia in our sense of the word — not even Addis Abbaba, which consists of villages and suburbs scattered round the Palace, and is about three miles in diameter. The most important towns, politically and commer- cially, are: Gondar, capital of Amhara, 3,000; Adua, capital of Tigre, 5,000; Axum, ancient capital of Ethiopia, and still the seat of the Abuna, 5,000 ; Antalo, former capital of Tigre, 1,000 ; Ankober, former capital of Shoa, 2,000 ; Addis Abbaba, present capital of Abyssinia, and Shoa 40,000- 50,000 (with a foreign population of about 150, largely Indians, Greeks and Arabs); Debra-Tabor (Mount Tabor), Magdala, and Makalle; Gore, Saiyu, Nekempti, Samer6, 3,000-4,000, and Sokoto, 1,500, important trailing centres ; Mahdera-Mariani (Mary's Rest), 4,000. The population of Harar is estimated at 50,000, of whom about 300 are Europeans ; at Dire Dawa there are a considerable number of Europeans. Gambela, in Western Abyssinia, is a trading station leased to the Sudan Government. It is an important outlet for the trade in the West. A service of steamers is maintained from June to November with Khartum.

Religion and Instruction.

Since the conversion of the Abyssinians to Christianity in the fourth cen- tury they have remained members of the Alexandrian Church. The Abuna, or head bishop, is always a Copt, appointed and consecrated by the Coptic Patriarch of Alexandria, but his influence is controlled by tlio Echegheh, a native ecclesiastical dignitary, who presides over the spiritualty, numbering; about 100,000 ecclesiastics. Both Copts and Abyssinians are monophysiit, rejecting the decrees of the Council of Chalcedon (a.d. 451).

Education has hitherto been restricted to the teaching of the seeular and regular clergy, but in October, 1907, an edict was issued enjoining compulsory education on all male children over the age of 12. This is, however, a dead letter. There is one school in Addis Abbaba, directed by a few Coptic teachers, introduced by the Abuna — this is the only Abyssinian school in the country.