The Ethiopian Community in Jerusalem: Pilgrims, Politics, Holy Places and Diplomacy until 1840

Abstract

The Ethiopian community in Jerusalem served at least from after the Crusader period onwards as an important point of contact between Ethiopia and the rest of the Christian world. The encounter which ensued took the form of a prolonged historical dialogue - a blend of religious, political and cultural contacts - undertaken over many centuries by pilgrims, monks, and travellers who passed through Jerusalem on their journey to Europe or to Ethiopia. However, over time contacts became more difficult between these two parts of the Christian world as the forces of Islam sought to isolate and conquer the Ethiopian kingdom.