Aims and objectives
The digitisation of repatriated ancient written Ge'ez manuscripts is a project implemented by the National Archives and Library Services-Ethiopia. The project focuses on digitising looted and repatriated ancient manuscripts that are endangered due to age and lack of proper conservation. Some of these manuscripts date back as far as 120 years and were returned to the institution following an attempted looting. While some manuscripts were voluntarily returned after being found overseas—sometimes purchased by volunteers who then donated them back—others were intercepted during attempts to be illegally removed from the country. The project plans to digitise a collection of 112 manuscripts over a 14-month period.
The collection possesses several unique features. It comprises manuscripts gathered from various regions across the country, where Ge'ez texts are actively used in different churches. While these manuscripts share similarities, each reflects distinct regional characteristics shaped by its geographic and theological origins. In Ethiopia, each region developed its own school of thought, interpretation and stylistic approach to religious texts within the Orthodox Christian tradition. Researchers may utilise these manuscripts to examine variations of a single text, such as the Mezemure Dawit (Psalms), making the collection invaluable for comparative manuscript studies. This philological significance enhances its relevance for scholars investigating textual transmission and evolution.
