Children of Hope. Sandra Rowoldt Shell

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      CHILDREN OF HOPE

      Children of HOPE

       The Odyssey of the Oromo Slaves from Ethiopia to South Africa

       SANDRA ROWOLDT SHELL

      Ohio University Press

      Athens

      Ohio University Press, Athens, Ohio 45701

       ohioswallow.com

      © 2018 by Ohio University Press

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      Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

      Names: Shell, Sandra Rowoldt, author.

      Title: Children of hope : the odyssey of the Oromo slaves from Ethiopia to South Africa / Sandra Rowoldt Shell.

      Description: Athens, Ohio : Ohio University Press, 2018. | Includes bibliographical references and index.

      Identifiers: LCCN 2018025973| ISBN 9780821423189 (hc : alk. paper) | ISBN 9780821446324 (pdf)

      Subjects: LCSH: Child slaves—Ethiopia—Biography. | Slave trade—Ethiopia—History. | Oromo (African people)—South Africa—Lovedale—History.

      Classification: LCC HT869 .S54 2018 | DDC 306.3/62092393550963 [B] —dc23

      LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2018025973

       To the memory of Robert Shell

       and the courage and resilience of the Oromo children

      Contents

       List of Illustrations

       Acknowledgments

       Introductory Ruminations

       PART I. Roots: Memories of Home

       CHAPTER 1. Ethiopia: The Lie of the Land

       CHAPTER 2. The Family Structure of the Oromo Captives

       CHAPTER 3. Wealth and Status of the Oromo Captives’ Families

       CHAPTER 4. Topography, Domicile, and Ethnicity of the Oromo Captives

       PART II. Routes: From Capture to the Coast

       CHAPTER 5. The Moment of Capture

       CHAPTER 6. On the Road

       PART III. Revival: From Osprey to Lovedale

       CHAPTER 7. Interception to Aden

       CHAPTER 8. Sojourn in the Desert and the Onward Voyage

       CHAPTER 9. By Sea and Land to Lovedale

       CHAPTER 10. Education at Lovedale

       PART IV. Return: Forging a Future

       CHAPTER 11. Going Home

       PART V. Reflections

       Appendices

       APPENDIX A. The Variables and Authentication of the Data

       APPENDIX B. The Oromo Narratives

       APPENDIX C. Gazetteer of Place-Names in the Narratives

       APPENDIX D. “My Essay Is upon Gallaland,” by Gutama Tarafo

       APPENDIX E. Repatriation Questionnaire, 1903

       Notes

       Selected Bibliography

       Index

      Illustrations

       Figures

       1.1. Mountainous terrain between Axum and Lalibela in Ethiopia

       1.2. Holy tree festooned with cloth and votive offerings for Oromo worship

       1.3. Ancient walled city of Harar

       2.1. Oromo children shortly after their arrival at the Keith-Falconer Mission

       3.1. Oromo oxen

       3.2. Cavalry on the Wadela plateau in Ethiopia

       6.1. Billy King’s descent from highlands to coast

       7.1. Cross section of a two-masted slave dhow

       7.2. Gardner gun

       7.3. Tadjoura in the mid-nineteenth century

       7.4. Modern Rahayta/Raheita/Araito