Embassy of roses

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The Rose Embassy was an imperial special embassy for Abyssinia , which left Germany in December 1904 to conclude a friendship and trade treaty with the Abyssinian Emperor Menelik II . Another focus of this rose embassy was the exploration of the country from a historical-philological and scientific point of view. Wilhelm II commissioned the secret legation councilor and lecturing council in the Foreign Office , Friedrich Rosen , who was very suitable as an orientalist , as envoy .

This was not the first diplomatic contact that the German Reich sought with Abyssinia. The first contact was made in 1881. The Africa explorer Gerhard Rohlfs had already visited the Negus Yohannes IV in Debre Tabor in 1881 on behalf of the German Emperor Wilhelm I.

Members of the Legation

The journey to the court of Menelik II.

Arrival in Africa

On January 6, 1905, the special embassy arrived on the Lloyd steamer "Frederick the Great" in Djibouti on the Gulf of Tadjoura in French Somaliland . A number of Somali servants were recruited there. Two interpreters, one of whom spoke German and the other Arabic, were hired in Cairo. One of these interpreters, Jussuf Wolda Mariam, came from a distinguished Abyssinian family. The Abyssinian Railway Company provided the embassy with a special train to Diredaua . At that time, the railway company was in a difficult situation because the line that had been built so far did not break even. An expansion to Addis Ababa ran into difficulties. The French government was forced to subsidize the route. Internationalization of the Ethiopian railway has already been considered. In Diredaua, two Germans residing in Abyssinia named Sefzat and Schaup were waiting for the embassy. The German Arnold Holtz , who lived in Addis-Abeda and was entrusted with the preparations for the mission, had instructed her to accompany the embassy. Holtz had recruited mules , servants and drivers, but they weren't enough. More animals had to be procured. The embassy traveled from Diredaua to Harar , whereby Friedrich Rosen decided that all heavy luggage and most of the provisions should go to Harar on the easier Assabot path through the monotonous steppe north of the Chertscher Mountains . Schaup was entrusted with the management, who was provided with the German-speaking interpreter. The embassy, ​​its servants, the Arabic-speaking interpreter and the Gardes du Corps chose a mule track that led through a wooded, cooler landscape on the northern ridges of the Cherscher Mountains.

In Harar

In Harar the embassy was received by Lieutenant Governor Kaniasmatsch (General) Koletsch, since the Viceroy of Harar, Tschertscher and Ogaden Ras Makonnen was not in Harar. Ras Makonnen had ordered the embassy to be housed in his palace in Harar. In Harar, the embassy was also given an official greeting from Emperor Menelik II. At Lake Haramaja near Harar, Flemming rejoined the embassy. He fell ill during the sea voyage and spent some time in the hospital in Djibouti. At the request of Ras Makonnen, the embassy at Kulubi Castle visited his 12-year-old son Lidj (Prince) Taffari Makonnen, who later became Emperor Haile Selassie . The castle was located on a mountain plateau at an altitude of 2543 m in the Tschertscher Mountains and had a telephone station. Felix Rosen noticed in the mountains that ongoing deforestation could become a serious problem for Abyssinia.

Ras Makonnen

Ras Makonnen and the embassy in Buruma

On January 24, 1905, there was a meeting with Ras Makonnen in Buruma , who now welcomed the embassy in all forms. Here, too, the Garde du Corps received special attention. Ras Makonnen had already heard about the guard from his son. There was also a return visit to the embassy camp. Ras Makonnen gave the embassy a valuable shield, two lances and a noble mule with a splendid Abyssinian bridle. These gifts had meaning. The mule was brought in front of the caravan with a shield and lances, so that everyone knew that the embassy was under the protection of the prince. Ras Makonnen was given a gold watch, further gifts were given later, as most of the luggage was on the Assabotweg.

Schëual Abdi

After Ras Makonnen's visit, Chief Schëual Abdi , a famous warrior and singer from Ogaden , appeared in the embassy camp. Schëual Abdi, who was in the retinue of Ras Makonnen, had recently killed 23 people. Friedrich Rosen was very interested in Somal songs and poetry. So the chants were recorded on a phonograph . Schëual Abdi performed a song he had composed especially for the embassy.

Schëual Abdi with Friedrich Rosen

Hymn to the German Mission

Envoy! We have heard that the Germans are brave and do not fear any enemy.

That his spoken word is equal to the written word, and that lies and deceit are alien to him.

Your people are like a tree with its branches spreading, and the rain of the sky refreshes its leaves.

Your ruler's gaze is like the sun, like the (white) ostrich feather of the first quality (“brima” from Italian: “prima”), like the bullet and like the flare that you throw from your rifle.

May your fate always go forward, like the Awash river, like the sea wave, like the brook of burqa.

Your people are like the vast earth, as inseparable as the telegraph wire that no one can break, and as solid as a mountain that no one can overturn.

Anyone who says they want to start war with the Germans has already broken their thighs because of their daring boldness.

Your ruler knows who is unhappy and who is suffering. This is known even as far as Bohotle.

God give strength to the German people and their emperor. May you walk your road in peace and find the fulfillment of your wishes. We wish you a good night! In sha Allah (God willing) we meet again!

Goodbye in the land to which I am going I will remember you

Friedrich Rosen writes in his brother's book, about the experiences of the German legation in Abyssinia, a chapter about Somal poetry and its meaning.

The crossing of the Awash

On January 28th, the German mission crossed the Awash River, which is located in an inhospitable desert of lava rock. Some members there fell ill with a fever. Felix Rosen measured an air temperature of 31 ° C, but the temperature on the rock was 75 ° C. The embassy was allowed to cross an otherwise closed, narrow iron bridge, but the animals had to cross the river by a ford. The embassy reached Eastern Shoah on January 29th through a narrow desert . Up to this point the camel caravan with the rest of the luggage had not yet arrived, which was transporting essential items for the official entry. On February 6, 1905, the embassy stood before Addis Ababa . Arnold Holtz was waiting for the embassy outside the city. The camel caravan did not reach the German camp in front of the city until February 10, just in time. The uniforms and gifts were part of the cargo.

In Addis Ababa

Moving into Addis Ababa

Entry of the embassy into Addis Ababa

On the day of the arrival of the German embassy, ​​the State Councilor Alfred Ilg came to the camp to deliver the welcome greeting on behalf of the Negus and to arrange the details of the entry and reception. February 12, 1905 was set for the move. Count von Eulenburg specially procured horses for the embassy and in a short time managed to get the animals used to the European bridle , curb and girth. On the morning of February 12th at 10 a.m. State Councilor Ilg appeared on a magnificently decorated mule to pick up the embassy. In the lead, the Garde du Corps rode in parade uniform with eagle helmets and black cuirasses over the matt white Koller . The vice-sergeant rode in line in front of the front. All had long lances with black and white pennants. Then followed, according to Abyssinian custom, the mules given as a gift of honor by Ras Makonnen and a large noble mule, with splendid dishes and blankets, which Menelik II had sent in advance. Both animals were led by an Abyssinian servant who also carried the Ras Makonnen shield on his arm. Then came the official envoy Friedrich Rosen in infantry uniform next to Alfred Ilg, who wore the diplomatic uniform, then the other members of the embassy, ​​Count Eulenburg in the officers' uniform of the Bonn Hussars, Edmund Schüler in the vice-consul gala and Vollbrecht and Felix Rosen as reserve officers in theirs Uniform. The other gentlemen in tails. The Germans living in Addis Ababa also joined the train. At the end were the servants in specially made khaki green with black-white-red armpit strings and , according to local custom , headscarves in the German colors.

The train was accompanied by Abyssinian cavalry in splendid outfits. More and more waiting Abyssinian soldiers joined and followed to the Gebi , the court camp of the Negus in Addis Ababa. When Felix Rosen asked about the number of soldiers, the answer was 20,000. Felix Rosen estimated 12,000 men.

Reception by the Negus Menelik II.

Honor plate of the Negus to Friedrich Rosen

In the area the embassy was led into the audience hall, a large three-aisled room. The embassy of Menelik II was expected there. The Negus sat raised in the apse of the room under a red velvet canopy with gold-embroidered stars, surrounded by his court. He wore a splendid bonnet-shaped diadem with fringes, a black silk cloak with narrow agraffes and gold embroidery and an undergarment made of white silk damask . The feet could not be seen. He had gray hair and a short gray beard and very good, beautiful teeth. Felix Rosen describes his appearance:

From what we had read and heard from the ruler of Ethiopia, we had formed the image of an important prince, and yet we were all struck by the greatness and nobility, even majesty of his appearance. How he received us, calm and dignified, and at the same time with a certain kindness that contained nothing of hurtful condescension, we had the impression of a real king .

State Councilor Ilg named the members of the embassy, ​​and all bowed to the Negus. The Negus greeted the members and shook hands with everyone. Friedrich Rosen thanked for the good reception in Abyssinia, named the mission of the embassy and handed over a handwritten letter (letter of recommendation) from the German Emperor Wilhelm II. Then the embassy was allowed to sit on chairs to the right of the throne. A formal conversation followed. The whole time the Garde du Corps stood in front of the throne with their Pallasch presented .

This official audience was followed by another audience on February 20. The gifts of the German Empire were also handed over here. First Menelik II was presented with the Grand Cross of the Red Eagle Order in all forms. Again, the Garde du Corps were present and presented. The Negus put on the medal immediately. A life-size painting of Wilhelm II, in full figure and in uniform of the Garde du Corps, was also handed over. The remaining gifts were handed over piece by piece by the Germans living in Addis Ababa on the orders of Friedrich Rosen: silver tableware, valuable silk fabrics, collections of photographs from the royal palaces in Berlin and Potsdam . One gift particularly excited the Negus. Through Flemming Menelik II was given books printed in Germany in Ethiopian language and writing. This prompted the Negus to give Flemming permission to make the library in the Gebi and the book collections in the churches of the city and the Marienkirche Entoto accessible. Two main pieces of the gifts have not yet been delivered. This was a load automobile and a power generator for electric light. The latter could only be started with difficulty. The connected spotlight amazed the whole of Addis Ababa.

Felix Rosen also requested an audience with the Empress Taytu . This audience took place in the private rooms of the empress. Felix Rosen describes the appearance of the Empress: We went into a tall, cool room where the Empress received us; she was sitting on the low divan at the foot of a wide four-poster bed, and two very stately ladies-in-waiting stood next to her. Her figure almost disappeared under a wrinkled wrap of delicate muslin, which also covered her hair and even her chin, but she showed a hand of aristocratic beauty ... the Empress is more of a delicate figure who is said to be 65 years old: it could be for 40. Their skin color is light - the sign of pure -semitic blood and noble descent; Her demeanor is entirely that of a great lady who at the same time has the charm of amiability.

As a gift, the Empress first received a photograph of the German Empress surrounded by her children, in a heavy silver frame. Since the empress's ecclesiastical inclination was known, her valuable altarpiece was given, as well as raspberry-red silk, a little case with a silver travel lavoir, a polished mirror, fine perfumes and much more.

This audience took place although, as Friedrich Rosen was known, Taytu's mother had died the day before. The only way he could explain this was that Taytu had no knowledge of it and that Menelik had the news of death checked first.

Guest visits to Addis Ababa

The embassy also took part in a congregation in which the emperor hosted 8,000 people in honor of the embassy. The embassy remained in Addis Ababa until March 18, 1905, during which time it lived in the palace of Ras Makonnen and Ras Mikael, the viceroy of the Wollo-Galla country. In this short time, many invitations and discussions took place. The representations of France, Italy, Great Britain and Russia were visited. State Councilor Ilg opened many Abyssinian doors to the legation. There were invitations from Ras Wolda Giyorgis the viceroy of Kaffa , and General Abbata as well as from Abuna Mathäus. The personality of Friedrich Rosen and his extensive knowledge of the Orient as well as his perfect Arabic were very useful for this. During these guest visits, the embassy also became acquainted with Kantiba Gebru . Gebru was the former governor of Gonder and now tutor to the heir to the throne. He had attended the German school in Jerusalem and spoke perfect German, and his first marriage was to a German. On behalf of the Negus he was to accompany the embassy on the return journey. The Negus himself was also a guest of the embassy and had the Garde du Corps show him how to pierce a lance.

Negotiating a trade agreement

Horse gift from the Negus to Friedrich Rosen and Count Eulenburg

The two trade experts inspected the markets and magazines every day to learn more about the economic situation in Abyssinia. So far there have only been beginnings of German trade interests in Abyssinia. Friedrich Rosen held many conversations with the Negus during this time. This resulted in a trade agreement with the German Reich. Furthermore, the right of the German Reich to participate in an Ethiopian bank to be founded was granted to an institute to which extensive privileges and monopolies were to be granted. Furthermore, Menelik II wanted to get involved in the Ethiopian railway project with his own resources, provided that this was carried out on an international basis. It was further agreed that an Abyssinian scholar would be sent to teach the Amharic language for the Seminar for Oriental Languages in Berlin. The Negus appointed Alaka Taje from Ifag , who joined the embassy at Gonder and accompanied them to Berlin. The German side also raised the issue of forest protection, presumably on the initiative of Felix Rosen. In many private conversations, Felix Rosen found an interested listener in Menelik II. He was particularly interested in the reports of the German excavations in Babylon. This led the Negus to propose a German excavation in Aksum . Since it was feared that resistance would be expected from the Abyssinian clergy, this request was initially kept secret until the embassy had left the country. The excavations took place in 1906 under the direction of Enno Littmann and the government builders Daniel Krencker and Theodor von Lüpke . Kaiser Wilhelm II, who was very interested in archeology, sent the excavation team at his own expense in 1906. A trade and friendship treaty was concluded on March 7th, which connects Ethiopia and Germany in a special way to this day.

Farewell to Addis Ababa

on March 17, 1905, the farewell audience took place with Menelik II. This was done in a very confidential manner. Menelik invited the embassy to a farewell dinner in his private room. This was a mark of special familiarity and a special honor. Gold-embroidered robes, finely chased weapons, church utensils, including a very old, bronze chalice with Greek inscription, and four huge elephant tusks, each weighing 35 kg, were presented as gifts for Wilhelm II . A travel marshal was placed in the embassy to take care of the caravan. By order of Menelik, Kantiba Gebru also accompanied the embassy. Gebru was also to serve as an interpreter for Zauditu , the daughter of Menelik and the wife of Ras Gugsa Welle , who was sick in Debre Tabor , her husband's residence in Amhara . Menelik asked Vollbrecht to examine her, give medical advice and possibly give her medication. The caravan still consisted of 220 mules and 180 people.

The return journey through Abyssinia

Through Eastern Shoah

Since the embassy wanted to see as much of the beauty of Ethiopia as possible, the Negus first suggested a route through Shoah, which led through the land of Metta-Galla via Genet , past Adis-Alem in the direction of Godjam . At that time the area was still unmapped, but it was also a rich agricultural land and the landscape was very lovely. Menelik had banned trees from being felled in Addis Abeda and in the foreland around the city. Like Addis Abeda, Gennet was a new foundation by Menelik. Here and on the further trip, Felix Rosen had the opportunity to identify and name many unknown plants, which he also named after the members of the mission and after the Negus. As on the trip to Addis Abeda, Felix Rosen took height measurements. The path led through the headwaters of the Awasch, a land that was predominantly inhabited by Gallas . Felix Rosen was very impressed by the changing vegetation due to the changing altitude of the area. This area was a center of horse breeding in Abyssinia. The embassy also received regular mail. The postal system had only been set up by Ilg a few years earlier. The area of ​​the watershed between Awash and the Blue Nile , called Abbai in Abyssinia, was crossed.

Godjam

Ras Besabe

On the border with Godjam , the embassy was welcomed by a delegation from Ras Basabe , son of the prince and opponent of Yohannes IV , Tekle Haymanot, who died in 1901, and was invited to his residence Debre Markos . Godjam was a purely Christian area that was almost exclusively inhabited by Semites . The Godjam area initially only offered a rich biodiversity in gorges. The Legation observed many prairie fires . In the rainy season, the area was almost inaccessible. Many churches shaped the country. Flemming had the opportunity to acquire many manuscripts. At the market in Debre Markos, Felix Rosen noticed a dwarfish slave who was about 25 years old and fully developed. She was about 125 cm tall. When asked, he was informed that she came from a people who lived in the forest areas west of Lake Rudolf.

The Ras organized a brew for the embassy and led his guests through the newly built Markus Church, his father's burial place. Work on the church was not quite finished. Takla Haimanot was often depicted in the paintings as the donor. Then ritual dances of the priests were performed, which were accompanied by the chanting of the psalms by choristers. Rosen notes that this was impressive. Ras Basabe was photographed by Felix Rosen at his request. The ras had lost an eye from an arrow shot. He tried very hard to treat the embassy with courtesy. Felix Rosen attributed this to the fact that he wanted to prove his loyalty to Menelik. Felix Rosen described Godjam as the poorest part of Abyssinia they had seen. Agriculture, although very possible, was almost not practiced. He suspected that the country's former prosperity was due to robbery in the neighboring areas. This was no longer possible due to the supremacy of Menelik and so the Amharic population became impoverished. On April 2, 1905, the Debre Embassy left Markos in a north-westerly direction along the Choke Mountains to the Delma district . In many places the clergy of the country received the delegation with chants, but constantly asked for a gift of money. Eventually they came to Dembecha on the Gudala River . There the camp was surprised by a hail shower at an altitude of 2040 m. The Somali servants had never seen ice and thought the hail was stones. Then the river Bir was crossed towards the Amidamit pass . According to Felix Rosen, this route was the most beautifully scenic one saw in Abyssinia. The "Ambo-Meida" campsite at an altitude of 2177 m, which was located near a salt spring , provided a wonderful backdrop. Once the men of the caravan prevented a prairie fire from spreading to a village. Passing the basalt cone "Abala Negus" (spirit king ) you came to the province of Metscha . On April 8, 1905, the embassy crossed the famous Dildiy Bridge , which spanned the Blue Nile.

The Tana lake

Kantiba Gebru and his daughter

From April 9-14, 1905, the embassy toured the east bank of Lake Tana . First you got to the southern tip of the lake. There were many monasteries on islands in the lake. Flemming was particularly interested in the Marian monastery Debre Maryam and its treasure trove of books. The island monastery Manso was also visited. They crossed over with papyrus boats . The embassy camped in the bay of the ruined city ​​of Korata . On April 11, 1905, they continued north and camped on the River Reb . A meeting with Princess Zauditu , the daughter of Menelik II, had been arranged there. She and her husband Gugsa Welle had met the delegation from Debre Tabor. Vollbrecht examined the princess behind a curtain and Kantiba Gebru interpreted. After this meeting they moved on and the next camp was set up opposite the monastery island of Matraha . This was the same place where Gerhard Rohlfs camped on his return from Debre Tabor in 1881 . The following day the embassy visited the monastery. The original church was built by the Portuguese, only ruins were found. The church was destroyed by the Mahdists in 1888. Felix Rosen remarks that the most valuable books and art treasures from the monasteries on Lake Tana were brought to Magdala under Theodorus II , where they fell into the hands of Lord Napier , who brought them to London. Felix Rosen regretted that the oldest monastery on Tanaee Debra Sina on the Gorgora peninsula , which contained numerous stone monuments before the Mahdist invasion, could not be visited. From Lake Tana it was still two days to travel to Gonder. The visit to Lake Tana was definitely one of the highlights of the trip.

Gonder

Pottery of the Falaschas near Gonder

The legation crossed the Magetsch River over a stone bridge. The crossing of the Angareb River was far more difficult. The former quarter of the Muslims of Gonders was completely destroyed, as was the quarter of the Falascha , the Ethiopian Jews. Only the city hill was still inhabited by Christians. Only parts of the old city wall were present. The city center was also badly damaged. To their great surprise, the market square was found to be very busy. The Etschege-Bed district was still fairly inhabited. The walls of the Gemp , the ruins of the former residential palace of the Abyssinian emperors, were well preserved. When the Mahdists invaded the castle, it was already in ruins and therefore uninteresting for pillage. The embassy stayed in Gonder for two days. Through Kantiba Gebru contact was established with a scholar and teacher from the former university located there. Before the destruction of Gonder, theology, law, music and dance, painting, calligraphy and national history were taught there. This enabled information about the history of the castle to be obtained. The stories were interspersed with legends . The members of the legation roamed the ruins of the Gemp and the city. Little of the former 44 churches in Gondar had been preserved. Only the church Medhane Alem (Savior of the World), built under Negus Fasilides (1632–1667), remained intact. Her interior was still fully decorated with paintings. Felix Rosen speculated that not much of church property and books had been destroyed, since Theodor II had already brought everything valuable to Magdala , as happened at Lake Tana . The embassy also went to the Falasha. They lived in a new settlement half an hour further on the mountain slope. The Falashas looked very frightened when the embassy appeared. The handing over of gifts calmed her down. The falashas were very poor; Before the destruction of Gonder they lived as craftsmen, especially as masons. The fields they had terraced were taken away from them, now they lay fallow. Since bricklayers were no longer needed, they specialized in pottery. The potter's wheel was unknown to them. They also had a good reputation as carpenters and blacksmiths. After much persuasion the mayor, who was also a priest, showed the synagogue , a round hut that looked like any other. He also showed the Bible. The women wore a leather strap with a glass bead or a ring around their necks. A woman wore a tatu on her neck and breast , it represented a Maateb , a blue cord with a cross. She explained that the Christian Abyssinians did this to her by force. The Falascha were repeatedly victims of rioting. Kantiba Gebru left the embassy in Gonder. For his services he was awarded the Order of the Crown III. Class awarded. Before his return, Gebru introduced his little daughter to the embassy, ​​who was brought up appropriately by her grandparents on an estate near Gonder. Felix Rosen photographed father and daughter.

Through the high mountains of Semien

Djibarra plant

The embassy was advised against crossing the high mountains of Simien , and even the mail riders reported the difficulty of the water supply. It was decided to wait until reaching the base of the mountain before making a decision. The explorers Eduard Rüppell and Theodor von Heuglin had crossed Semien and their travel reports were well known. First the journey went through the mountains of Wogara . There they hoped for good paths, but they were wrong. Still, the landscape was beautiful and friendly. At the foot of the mountains it was decided that only the embassy should cross the mountains with light luggage. Before Aksum they wanted to reunite. On April 21, 1905 the groups separated. The path showed alpine forms. The tour group was surprised to find farmers plowing at the bottom of Shuada , between Mount Amba Ras and the stone desert. On a plateau at an altitude of 3,028 m, the embassy was awaited by the governor Semiens and a hundred warriors. The usual invitation followed. Djibarra plants ( Lobelia rhynchopetalum ), herbs the size of trees, often 3 m high, were found at an altitude of more than 3500 m . As a result of the lack of wood, these plants served as fuel for the tour group. Felix Rosen found cruciferous vegetables that are common in all colder regions of the northern hemisphere. The caravan reached up to over 4000 m. The peaks of the highest mountains in Abyssinia, including the Ras Dashen , were passed at temperatures of 1 ° C. Felix Rosen and Edmund Schüler use every opportunity to go climbing to conduct botanical studies. The embassy had reached the highest point of their journey (approx. 4320 m) on Mount Meseraria. On the descent from the mountains there were Falascha villages who settled in these inhospitable high mountains. The journey continued through an imposing mountain landscape to the Selki Pass . A difficult descent followed. Felix Rosen takes a lot of photographs. At a church with a grove, Felix Rosen tried to put his impressions and the scenery of the mountain landscape into words: What a place! With a shudder of awe one looks around, and it would be poor people who do not feel the closeness of the great, the one. The vegetation line was approached again. At the agreed meeting point, both groups of the caravan arrived almost simultaneously. The reunited caravan crossed the Tekese River into Tigray Province .

In Aksum and Adua

Festival service in front of the Maria Zion church in Gonder

The first impression of Tigray was not very pleasant. The embassy was out and about in a bare landscape with the sun breaking. The temperatures reached 41 ° C. The usual greeting by the authorities did not materialize. The population of Tigray also met the embassy with suspicion, since most of the people in the caravan from Shoah were. Felix Rosen had checked the altitude on an Italian map with his hypsometer the entire trip . One evening he found the device lying on the ground in his tent and damaged. So he could no longer compare his measurements with the sea level. The measurements often differed from the map information. The photo equipment was also partially damaged. Many recordings failed now. The closer the caravan got to Aksum, the more the landscape changed. Wooded valleys and built-up, densely populated land alternated. On April 30th the embassy entered Aksum. It was the Sunday of the Abyssinian Easter, and the morning service had already ended. The embassy was welcomed by the clergy and notables of Aksums. The nobles of the city rode in festive dress. The embassy was also asked to attend the festive service. Seats were prepared on the top step of the terrace in front of the famous Aksum Cathedral of St. Mary of Zion . A traditional Ethiopian service followed with its chants and the dance of the priests. After the service the church could be visited. One noticed that the vestibule had received a bronze ornamental grille. It was not yet present in Theodor von Heuglin's view. The painting decorations were partially destroyed and replaced by European wallpaper. In the forecourt of the church one noticed eleven or twelve stone, destroyed seats. In the middle of the square was the coronation chair. The famous monoliths and the stelae of Aksum were also visited, as well as the “living rock” and other sights. The tour was interrupted by heavy rain showers. At lunchtime there was a meal with the governor of Aksum. His title was Nebreid , which can be translated as archdeacon . He was the highest clerical dignitary after the Abuna and the Etschege . The next morning the mountains of Semien could be seen from a distance, completely shrouded in snow. On the second day the tour group separated and went to the ruins of the city. Flemming visited St. Mary of Zion again to have the books shown there. The city, although in ruins, impressed the Germans. Aksum was left on the afternoon of May 1, 1905. Towards evening the caravan reached Adua , which had an urban appearance. The Battle of Adua took place on March 1, 1896 near the town . The meeting of Menelik II's army and the Italian army under General Oreste Baratieri ended with the complete victory of the Abyssinians. Here, too, there was a formal greeting. For the first time, well-dressed women and girls of the upper class were seen in the crowd. The next day they visited the place. At the foot of Mount Schelloda , Adua's local mountain , one could still see the ruins of Fremonas , the first Jesuit settlement in Abyssinia. The wall wreath served as a fort for a long time . The large number of children in town was striking.

Priests in rich robes with crowns and lecture cross in Aksum

There was also a festival service in front of the Medhanae-Alem (Savior of the World) church. The whole embassy was again the guest of honor. The church was richly decorated with pictures. Felix Rosen allowed a young student priest to lead him to a falascha. In contrast to Gonder and Semien, Rosen made the acquaintance of wealthy people. He was entertained with coffee from a silver pot. Rosen wanted to make the situation of the Jews a topic of conversation. But this was turned off. The falasha had been baptized. Rosen also did not succeed in buying handicrafts from the falashas. On the evening of May 2, 1905, Governor Tigrays visited the embassy. During the night he was escorted home with a magnesium torch. This was a gift substitute because the supply of suitable gifts was used up. On May 3, 1905, the embassy left Adua. After a march under the blazing sun, after 40 km you reached the border river Mareb .

Eritrea

On May 4, 1905, the legation crossed the river and reached Eritrea . There you met the son of the German naturalist Wilhelm Schimper , who worked in Eritrea as a road construction engineer in the Italian service. The legation was received, entertained and accommodated very kindly by the Italian officers and officials. In Asmara the caravan was disbanded. Friedrich Rosen left Massaua with Count Eulenburg, Karl Bosch, Edmund Schüler and Flemming on board an Italian ship . The rest of the people and the Garde du Corps remained in Asmara for 10 days until another ship arrived. Felix Rosen used the time to complete the ethnographic collection and notes. He was helped by a Mr. Zander who was a government interpreter in Asmara and spoke fluent German. He was the son of the German painter Eduard Zander and an Abyssinian. Felix Rosen had already developed the majority of the exposed plates in an improvised darkroom. After the news had arrived that the return journey could take place on the steamer "Duke" von Massaua, the rest of the delegation left Africa.

Results of the legation

The Abyssinian Empire opened up to Germany through the embassy of roses. After the diplomatic mission, Abyssinia did not have such good relations with any other European country as with the German Empire. The railway line to Addis Ababa was completed with German help and the National Bank was founded. In the years that followed, there were many German advisors at the court of Menelik II who accompanied the modernization of the country. The freedom of trade for German entrepreneurs led to a lively exchange. One reason for the success of the rose embassy was the fact that the German Empire had no colonial interest in Abyssinia, but was interested in free trade on both sides. Another reason is surely to be found in the person of Friedrich Rosen, who made a significant contribution to the success through his knowledge of the oriental world, his language skills and his diplomatic experience. In Germany, interest in the ancient culture of Ethiopia grew. Whether it was cigarette pictures or adventure novels, people were interested in the mysterious country and its ruler Menelik II. Flemming had been able to acquire many old manuscripts in Abyssinia. During the mission, Felix Rosen collected many ethnologically interesting items that are still in the collections of the ethnological museums in Berlin and Stuttgart. The sound recordings of songs and chants should also be mentioned here. His botanical studies of fauna , especially flora , and the description of unknown species are due to him. What is unique, however, are his many photographs, which vividly document the population and the country of Abyssinia at the time of the mission. In 1907, Felix Rosen published the travel description of the German Legation (Eine deutsche Gesandnung in Abessinien, Verlag von Veit & Comp., Leipzig 1907) with a large number of his photographs and detailed descriptions. Felix Rosen tried to give the most accurate, unbiased and, above all, entertaining picture of the old Abyssinian.

aftermath

In 2005 the 100th anniversary of the contract was celebrated. Both countries are aware of a long friendship. One of the first state guests of the young Federal Republic of Germany was Emperor Haile Selassie in 1954. After the reunification of Germany and the democratization of Ethiopia, relations have achieved a new quality since 2008. Since the exchange of visits between the German Bundestag and the Ethiopian Parliament in 2008, there have been regular visits by members of the German Bundestag and committees to Ethiopia. Germany has been one of the largest buyers of Ethiopian goods in recent years. Germany mainly imports coffee from Ethiopia and is traditionally the largest buyer with over 30 percent of Ethiopian coffee exports. German exports to Ethiopia mainly consist of finished products such as machines, engines, motor vehicles as well as chemicals and medicines. Recently, German companies have also started to invest in Ethiopia, especially in the flower sector and leather processing. The German-Ethiopian cultural relations are also based on the tradition of German research in Ethiopia. A large number of university partnerships have emerged during the long partnership. An outstanding project by German scientific institutions is the South Omo Research Center for research into the southern peoples of Ethiopia and the creation of a multi-volume, internationally unique Encyclopaedia Aethiopica by the University of Hamburg. Against the background of sensational finds of traces of Sabaean culture in the Tigray region, an excavation campaign of the German Archaeological Institute has started over several years .

literature

  • Felix Rosen: A German embassy in Abyssinia. Verlag von Veit & Comp., Leipzig 1907, ( digitized ).
  • Benjamin H. Freiberg: German Development Policy in Ethiopia. The influence of German development cooperation on the general and socio-political situation in Ethiopia since 1991. An analysis. Books on Demand, Norderstedt 2008, ISBN 978-3-8370-0059-7 .

Individual evidence

  1. ^ Felix Rosen: A German Embassy in Abyssinia. Verlag von Veit & Comp., Leipzig 1907, p. 13 .
  2. ^ Felix Rosen: A German Embassy in Abyssinia. Verlag von Veit & Comp., Leipzig 1907, pp. 112-121 .
  3. ^ Felix Rosen: A German Embassy in Abyssinia. Verlag von Veit & Comp., Leipzig 1907, p. 179 .
  4. ^ Felix Rosen: A German Embassy in Abyssinia. Verlag von Veit & Comp., Leipzig 1907, p. 256 .
  5. ^ Felix Rosen: A German Embassy in Abyssinia. Verlag von Veit & Comp., Leipzig 1907, p. 266 .
  6. ^ Benjamin H. Freiberg: German Development Policy in Ethiopia. The influence of German development cooperation on the general and socio-political situation in Ethiopia since 1991. Books on Demand, Norderstedt 2008.
  7. ^ Felix Rosen: A German Embassy in Abyssinia. Verlag von Veit & Comp., Leipzig 1907, p. 458 .
  8. ↑ Foreign Office, Political Relations with Ethiopia - Homepage
  9. ↑ Foreign Office, Political Relations with Ethiopia - Homepage

Web links

Commons : Rose Embassy  - Collection of images, videos and audio files