DIXAN. 
509 
sole book in their possession ; and those who have obtained even 
this degree of knowledge are considered ks priests ; at least in their 
own opinion. Of this order, upon trial, not one in twenty could 
write the characters which they read ; indeed we found but one 
man in Dixan who attempted to write the native tongue : from this 
person we begged the different characters oftheGeesh alphabet; 
but his obvious ignorance in this respect, gave us evident proof of 
his inability. Upon enquiry, we found that this person was not a 
resident at Dixan, but travelled about the country in the character 
of a physician as well as priest, and had for some time past been 
exercising his skill in the former profession. 
" The present Baharnegash is a tall elderly man, with a mild 
countenance; the top of his head bald, and his hair bushy round 
his ears. His dress, like the rest of his people, consisted of a single 
garment wrapped round his body, and his only ensign of office 
was a peeled staff about six feet long, which was also borne by his 
relations, and those in authority under him. He performs the 
duties both of chief priest and governor, and recites prayers to his 
people both morning and evening, on which account he incurs 
some ridicule at court. The form of prayer commences with 
chanting three times over Jehu Arozoo (praise be to Jesus), in 
which he is joined by the whole assembly. This is followed by 
Binta Mariam Arozoo; then Haimanot Johannim, Georgis, Welleta 
Selasse, kc. which are all in like manner three times chanted by the 
congregation. To this succeeds the invocation, with which it began, 
Jehu Arozoo ; the chief then recites several prayers, to which the 
congregation answer. Amen. The service ends with the whole con- 
gregation prostrating themselves three times, with their faces to 
