Ink Atlas

Ethiopia Unbound

by J. E. Casely Hayford · 1911

Historical Fiction · Classics

A story of a Gold Coast lawyer and the people around him, woven with essays on race pride, education and African nationality. Written in 1911 and often called the first novel in English by an African.

Content note: Written in 1911, this book uses the terms of its time and argues about race and empire in language that can sound dated or harsh today. The text was read by machine from a scan of the first edition, so a few small mistakes may remain.

21 chapters

A look inside

To the sons of Ethiopia the world wide over.

“Do not believe that you know a people if you have not ascended to their gods.” — M. Edgar Quinet.

A glossary

Omanhin: head of a state or king (plural, Amanhin).

Kruba: a vessel for carrying light articles; in this case for collecting money.

Nanamu: the gods of the Fantis.

Nanamu-Krome: the abodes of the gods.

Sanko songs: sea songs.

Wonkora tuonkor: without whom not, an idiom signifying Leader of Leaders.

Effua Kobi: the mother of Calcali, King of Ashanti, before the war of 1873.

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