@eyobderillo1.bsky.social
Independent researcher, former curator Ethiopian collections and the first black curator at the British Library. All my view.
This 17th C Persian painting depicts a black man playing a bowl lyre, an instrument that resemble the Ethiopian krar.
During the 17th century, many Africans, especially Ethiopians, settled in the Deccan region of India, often serving as soldiers or administrators
Persian poetry in nast'aliq script.
I will be presenting at the Army Museums Ogilby Trust (AMOT) Conference 2025, alongside my colleague Carolyn Dalton.
Our presentation will explore a collaborative project centred on the 1868 British Expedition to Abyssinia—
www.armymuseums.org.uk/conference/
23.08.2025 15:54 — 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0
Honoured to be invited by the Ethiopian Community UK to speak on the legacy of Maqdala, Emperor Tewodros, and restitution—alongside artifacts related to Maqdala. Grateful for the warm Ethiopian hospitality.
Thank you, @ethiopian_communityuk
“There is a Museum story that when a member of the staff committed suicide in this room ( the Cracherode) by shooting himself his superior’s first reaction was : ‘Did he damage the book bindings ?” (Caygill 1981)
The Cracherode Room was in the @britishmuseum.bsky.social
@britishlibrary.bsky.social
We were honoured to welcome Father Abate, along with members of the Ethiopian community, to Lancaster.
As Project Officer for the Abyssinia Project, I had the privilege of showing the 1868 Abyssinia collection in the King's Own Royal Regiment Museum. youtu.be/kMn5wd9IrM4?... #restitution
Uncatalogued Arabic manuscript from West Africa — a fragmented. Loose leaves, varying paper sizes. Topics include mathematics, astrology, talismans, magic, divination, and treatises. I am looking for assistance with describing this manuscript, if interested, please DM me. Thanks
13.07.2025 07:11 — 👍 145 🔁 62 💬 5 📌 3
The facsimile itself was created using an early projection photocopier known as the Photostat machine. Developed in the early 1900s by the Commercial Camera Company—later renamed the Photostat Corporation—this technology was among the first to enable direct photographic reproduction of documents.
30.06.2025 05:19 — 👍 6 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
I found an uncatalogued facsimile of an Ethiopian Ms held in @britishlibrary.bsky.social It contains a commentary of the Virgin Mary. According to a note, the Ms was "taken from the house of King Tewodros at Maqdala in 1868 by Lt. J. R. Diss of the Royal Artillery." The original MS since been lost.
30.06.2025 05:18 — 👍 10 🔁 1 💬 1 📌 0
Thrilled to share that my co-authored piece with Emanuel Admassu, "Degodding Maqdala," is out now in Fifteen Colonial Thefts! We trace the looting of sacred Tabots from Ethiopia in 1868 & their transformation in Western museums. Grateful for your support—thoughts welcome!
#restitution #Ethiopia
A just restitution? The transfer to Ethiopia of digitised manuscript copies by the British Library (Eyob Derillo and Alexander Herman)
We explore the recent transfer of digitised Ethiopian manuscripts by the British Library—and ask: Can digital copies ever stand in for the return of the real thing?
In the 15th C, the Ethiopian church developed a strong devotion to Mary. King Zera Ya'equob added 30 feast days and commissioned numerous manuscripts. The British Library holds one of the oldest depictions of the Virgin and Child from this era.
መልካም ገና! Merry Christmas!
In Ethiopian culture, dreams are important. The interpretation of dreams is considered crucial, as they are seen as divine messages offering guidance or warning. Some Ethiopian Mss mention dream healing & ways of interpreting archetypal dreams 18th C. Jacob's Ladder
#mentalhealth
I am proud to support Hamere Berhan's upcoming exhibition and in their endeavour to keep the Ethiopian manuscript culture alive. Hamere Berhan is the last workshop in Ethiopia that is working hard to preserve the art of traditional manuscript making and icon painting.
03.04.2024 16:18 — 👍 5 🔁 2 💬 0 📌 0
This project holds immense potential to shed new light on a historical event that has shaped the region’s past.
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/01...
ዜናሁ ለጋላ "History of the Galla" (Oromo) written in 16th c by Abba Bahrey for the court of king Sarsa Dengel. A detailed account of the war & the Gadaa system of governance of the Oromos. Abba Bahrey a monk, from the southern region of Gamo his writing about the Oromos of Borana & Guji, north Kenya.
18.11.2023 09:29 — 👍 6 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
