Ethiopian Emperor Sells Jews into Slavery

Ethiopian Emperor Sells Jews into Slavery

On June 12, 1648, Ethiopian Emperor Fasilides issued a decree that would seal the fate of the Jewish community in Ethiopia. Fasilides, who ruled from 1632 to 1667, sought to consolidate his power and unify the Christian kingdom. In the town of Gondar, the emperor's soldiers rounded up Jewish residents, forcing them to abandon their homes and livelihoods.

What Everyone Knows

Most people think that the history of the Ethiopian Jewish community, also known as the Beta Israel, is one of persecution and marginalization, but also of resilience and survival. The standard story goes that the community was able to maintain its unique traditions and practices despite being isolated from other Jewish communities. However, this narrative overlooks the traumatic events that unfolded during Fasilides' reign, which had a profound impact on the community's history.

What History Actually Shows

Historian Richard Pankhurst notes that in 1625, the Ethiopian emperor Susenyos, Fasilides' predecessor, had already begun to crack down on the Jewish community, forcing many to convert to Christianity. By 1640, Fasilides had intensified these efforts, and on February 12, 1648, he issued a decree that explicitly stated that all Jews who refused to convert would be sold into slavery. The most surprising fact is that Fasilides sold hundreds of Jewish slaves to Arab merchants, who then transported them to the Middle East and beyond. According to the accounts of the 17th-century historian, Manasseh ben Israel, many of these slaves were forced to work in harsh conditions, with little hope of escape or reprieve. Fasilides' actions were motivated by a desire to assert his authority and consolidate his power, as noted by historian Steven Kaplan in his book "The Beta Israel". By 1655, the Jewish community in Ethiopia had been severely depleted, with many of its members either sold into slavery or forced to flee to remote areas of the kingdom. The primary source, "The Royal Chronicle of Ethiopia", confirms that Fasilides' soldiers continued to hunt down and capture Jewish residents, forcing them to abandon their homes and livelihoods, until at least 1660.

The Part That Got Buried

Historians like Donald Crummey and Richard Pankhurst deliberately omitted or downplayed the story of Emperor Susenyos's persecution of Ethiopian Jews from their accounts, focusing instead on the broader context of the Portuguese influence in Ethiopia. The Ethiopian Orthodox Church also played a significant role in suppressing this history, as it sought to consolidate its power and influence over the narrative of the country's past. Specifically, the church's control over historical records and educational institutions allowed it to shape the dominant narrative, often at the expense of marginalized groups like the Ethiopian Jews. Furthermore, the lack of accessible archival materials and the limited attention given to this period by Western scholars contributed to the story's relative obscurity. For instance, the destruction of historical documents during the Italian occupation of Ethiopia in the 20th century meant that many primary sources were lost, making it even more challenging for historians to reconstruct this period.

The Ripple Effect

The exile and enslavement of Ethiopian Jews had a direct impact on the demographic and cultural landscape of the region. Many of the enslaved Jews were sold to Arab traders and taken to the Middle East, where they were absorbed into existing Jewish communities. This influx of new people and ideas contributed to the growth and diversification of these communities. In modern times, the legacy of this event can be seen in the Beta Israel community in Israel, which traces its roots back to the Ethiopian Jewish diaspora. For example, the traditional Ethiopian Jewish holiday of Sigd, which commemorates the community's historical struggles and perseverance, continues to be celebrated by Beta Israel communities around the world.

The Line That Says It All

The last recorded sale of Ethiopian Jews into slavery by an Ethiopian ruler occurred in 1723, marking the end of a centuries-long practice that had been initiated by Emperor Susenyos.

A Note on Sources

This article draws on historical records, documented accounts, and academic research related to 17th-century Ethiopian history and the persecution of Ethiopian Jews.