3 8o 



THE LIVING RACES OF MANKIND 



Hy jwmUtiiOH of the Professor of Anthropology, Natural History Museum, Paris. 



A GROUP OF ABYSSINIANS. 



are the chief intoxicating beverages. The Abyssinians are forced to abstain totally from the 

 use as drinks of either milk or coffee, which grows wild. The use of tobacco is also forbidden, 

 and some rulers have discouraged smoking by cutting off the lips of people found indulging 

 in that habit. 



The most characteristic industries are filigree metal-working, leather- work and embroidery, 

 and the plaiting of straw mats, baskets, and bowls, which, as with the Gallas, are woven 

 sufficiently close to hold milk. Poetry is compiled by a class of minstrels who sing the 

 praises of the nobles. Pictures, usually highly coloured, decorate the churches. The style 

 of painting is Byzantine, and one remarkable feature is that good people are never represented 

 in profile, which is reserved for demons, enemies, and Jews. 



The ceremonies in connection with births are mainly remarkable for the union of 

 Mohammedan and Jewish rites; for Abyssinian babies, when eight days old, are subjected to 

 both baptism and circumcision. 



Marriage is a civil contract, though a religious ceremony is often added: a great feast is 

 indispensable. The father -gives the bride a dowry, which remains her property, and unless 

 previously spent is retained by her if she be divorced or separated. Morals among the people 

 are lax, and adultery is not uncommon; if discovered, the woman gets a whipping. Polygamy 

 and concubinage on an extensive scale exist among the wealthy classes. 



Burials are attended by a great feast; provided, as in some West African tribes, by presents 

 of food to the bereaved relatives. All the contributors expect invitations. Among the Shoho, 

 who are inveterate beggars, the hand of the corpse is left outstretched above the grave. 



The State religion of Abyssinia since the fourth century has been Christianity. The Church 



