Sujet

The Abyssinian Expedition: priests and villagers of Wadela singing the Song of Moses..., 1868. Creator: Unknown.

Légende

The Abyssinian Expedition: priests and villagers of Wadela singing the Song of Moses before Sir Robert Napier, 1868. Ethiopians singing after the storming of Magdala. 'The song of Moses, upon the downfall of the tyrant Pharaoh, was not inappropriate to this occasion...It began with, "Oh, clap your hands and shout with joy, for the deliverer has returned in peace," and they all suited the action to the word by clapping their hands. The music is not what the European ear cares for, being like most Oriental efforts of that kind. It cannot even be complimented as Johnson is said to have complimented music, by saying that it was 'the least unpleasant of sounds.' The expression of their faces, full of the utmost earnestness, the swaying of their bodies, and the bright, white teeth which they exhibited as their mouths opened to the widest extent, were a little incongruous; but it is their manner, and on this occasion they tried to do their best. It would be unfair to find fault with what was so sincere and well-intentioned. In psalm-singing they at times increase their movement till it may be called a dance, and this is founded upon the fact that David danced before the Ark'. From "Illustrated London News", 1868.

Crédit

Photo12/Heritage Images/The Print Collector

Notre référence

HRM24A35_030

Model release

NA

Property release

NA

Licence

Droits gérés

Format disponible

56,6Mo (4,0Mo) / 45,4cm x 31,3cm / 5361 x 3691 (300dpi)

Mots clés

Africa people job man men music religious arts country religion singing body bodies musician law art guy drum drummer crime occupation clothes British feet foot traditional headdress robes robe Christianity dress instrument instruments turban turbans parasols parasol location umbrellas umbrella century musical instrument musical instruments Britain profession vocalist singer singers newspapers press barefoot clothing print drumming accessory accessories priest priests concept typical controversy APPAREL B&W east africa Ethiopia rejoicing bare feet headgear controversial engraved engraving head-dress head dress Orthodox Church Ethiopian percussion instrument 19th century black & white black and white B W nineteenth century war crime The Print Collector Abyssinia Abyssinian Illustrated London News TGN the body ILN newspaper Unknown British Expedition to Abyssinia 19th-century clothing & dress fashion & clothing The Illustrated London News Abyssinia Expedition Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church oriental orthodox church