The cataloging and entry of information into Reading Room is now complete for EMML volumes 1-10. This encompasses the first 5,000 of the more than 9,000 manuscripts microfilmed by the Ethiopian Manuscript Microfilm Library project. The print volumes of the EMML project were prepared by Dr. William F. Macomber and Dr. Getatchew Haile. Information from the print catalogs have been expanded upon and entered into Reading Room by Ted Erho, Dr. Ralph Lee, and Dr. Jeremy R. Brown. This cataloging update closely follows the milestone achievement of the completion of the digitization of the EMML microfilms at HMML.

This progress completes the EMML manuscripts cataloged by Dr. William F. Macomber and Dr. Getatchew Haile in the ten published print catalog volumes. There is an unpublished catalog of EMML 5001-6000 prepared by Dr. Getatchew Haile. The manuscripts described in that volume will be cataloged in Reading Room next.

The 1,500 manuscripts cataloged since the previous update are primarily from the Šawā province, although a few small private and church collections from Wallo province are also included. As is true for most of the EMML collection, these manuscripts are largely service books for the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. Common works include psalters, antiphonaries, funeral rituals, missals, gospels, and stories of the saints.

One manuscript of interest is EMML 3872 from Zēnā Mārqos Monastery. This Miracles of Mary (ተአምረ፡ ማርያም) manuscript was copied during the reign of Emperor Lebna Dengel (1508-1540). The manuscript contains 204 stories about the miraculous work of the Virgin Mary, including several miracles that took place at the home church of the patron, Semʻon of Hagara Māryām church.

Another manuscript of interest is EMML 3879 from Endāfarē Māryām Church. This manuscript contains parts of two Gospel manuscripts from the 15th century. In addition to the biblical text are many land grants given by 15th century emperors, including several donated by Emperor Zar'a Yā'eqob.

Illuminated manuscripts continue to be uncommon in the manuscripts cataloged for this update. One notable exception is EMML 4762 from Boru Śellāsē Church. This 15th-century Gospel manuscript attests 16 full-page miniatures and a set of beautifully framed Eusebian canon tables. The illumination on folio 12v of the Crucifixion is a lovely example of the Ethiopian iconographic motif of depicting the Lamb of God above the cross rather than the body of Jesus Christ upon the cross.

It is our hope that this expanded access to the cataloging and images of the EMML collection will aid scholars, students, and researchers exploring these manuscripts and that this access will lead to even more exciting and important discoveries. View now