Many ancient Ethiopian books and manuscripts have been taken from Ethiopia over the years by various countries. Here are some examples:
- British Library, United Kingdom: The British Library holds one of the largest collections of Ethiopian manuscripts outside of Ethiopia. Some notable items include the "Kebra Nagast," a 14th-century religious text that recounts the history of the Ethiopian monarchy, and the "Liturgy of St. Dioscorus," a 15th-century manuscript containing prayers and hymns used in the Ethiopian Orthodox Church.
- Vatican Library, Vatican City: The Vatican Library holds several Ethiopian manuscripts, including the "Book of Aksum," a 14th-century illuminated gospel book that is considered a masterpiece of Ethiopian art.
- National Library of France, France: The National Library of France holds several Ethiopian manuscripts, including the "Mysteries of Heaven and Earth," a 17th-century text that includes a cosmology of the universe and descriptions of various heavenly bodies.
- National Library of Sweden, Sweden: The National Library of Sweden holds a collection of Ethiopian manuscripts, including the "Gospel of St. Matthew," a 14th-century illuminated manuscript that is one of the oldest surviving Ethiopian manuscripts.
- Duke University, United States: Duke University holds several Ethiopian manuscripts, including the "Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom," a 15th-century manuscript containing prayers and hymns used in the Ethiopian Orthodox Church.
It is worth noting that many of these manuscripts were taken from Ethiopia during the colonial era or other periods of political instability, and their repatriation to Ethiopia is a subject of ongoing discussion and debate.
- The Ethiopian Orthodox Church has a rich tradition of manuscript production, with many texts being written and illuminated by hand on parchment or vellum. These manuscripts are considered important cultural and religious artifacts in Ethiopia.
- Many Ethiopian manuscripts were taken from Ethiopia during the 19th and early 20th centuries by European explorers, missionaries, and colonial officials. Some of these manuscripts were acquired through purchase or donation, while others were taken without permission.
- The repatriation of Ethiopian manuscripts from other countries has been a subject of ongoing discussion and debate. Some institutions have returned manuscripts to Ethiopia in recent years, including the British Library, which returned two manuscripts in 2009.
- Ethiopia has made efforts to preserve and digitize its manuscript collections, with the establishment of institutions such as the Ethiopian Manuscript Microfilm Library and the Institute of Ethiopian Studies. Digitization efforts have made it possible for scholars and researchers around the world to access these manuscripts without having to travel to Ethiopia.
- The Ethiopian government has also made efforts to raise awareness about the importance of Ethiopian cultural heritage, including manuscripts, and to encourage their repatriation. In 2020, Ethiopia's Minister of Culture and Tourism called for the return of over 3,000 Ethiopian artifacts currently held in museums and collections around the world.