Debre Libanos 1937: The Most Serious War Crime Suffered by Ethiopia

The 1937 attack on the monastic village of Debre Libanos in Ethiopia, which resulted in the deaths of around 2000 monks and pilgrims, is the worst massacre of Christians on the African continent. This book provides an analysis of the events leading up to the massacre and its cover-up, making it a valuable resource for scholars studying European colonialism, Christian history, and colonial Africa.

Format: Hardback
Length: 182 pages
Publication date: 17 February 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This volume draws attention to one of the most devastating massacres of Christians that has taken place on the African continent, a 1937 attack on the monastic village of Debre Libanos that has previously been hidden from public knowledge. Between 20 and 29 May 1937, approximately 2000 monks and pilgrims, believed to be involved in the attack on the fascist Italian viceroy Rodolfo Graziani, were brutally killed in Ethiopia. The attack on Debre Libanos, the most renowned sanctuary of Ethiopian Christianity, went far beyond the realm of a mere military operation. It marked the culmination of a comprehensive repressive campaign aimed at crushing the Ethiopian resistance and targeting the Christian tradition for its historical association with the imperial power of the Negus. While this episode has been known to scholars, it has been entirely erased from national historical memory.

Now, for the first time in English, this book offers a comprehensive analysis of the events leading up to the massacre, including the subsequent cover-up. It serves as a vital record for scholars interested in European colonialism, Christian history, and colonial Africa. The massacre at Debre Libanos highlights the complex and often brutal dynamics of power relations during the colonial era, where religious and political tensions intertwined, leading to tragic consequences. The book's exploration of the historical context, political motivations, and human suffering that unfolded during this period provides valuable insights into the complex history of Ethiopia and the broader African continent.

By shedding light on this forgotten episode, this volume contributes to a more comprehensive understanding of the past and its impact on the present. It serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving historical truth, promoting empathy, and fostering dialogue to prevent such atrocities from repeating in the future.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032369600