As Boris Adjemian’s narration reveals, the Arba Arba Ledjotch (Forty Children), who became the first imperial brass band, were not the first Armenian presence in the country. Armenians had already been established in the royal court for many generations preceding this period. A small Armenian community began to emerge in Ethiopia, particularly in Harar, Dire Dawa, and Addis Ababa, during the late 19th century. As subsequent passages elucidate, the initial families primarily came from the Arabkir region, now part of Turkey. Following the genocide, additional Armenian families migrated to Ethiopia from Ayntab and Cilicia, augmenting the community’s presence in the country.
The author recounts that one of the earliest Armenians to establish residence in the country was Boghos Markarian, originally from Sivas, Turkey. Settling in Adwa, northern Ethiopia, around 1865, he initially served as a clerk and emissary of the Tigrean Emperor Yohannes IV (reigning from 1872 to 1889). However, Markarian later switched his allegiance, aligning himself with Yohannes IV’s rival, Menelik, the Amhara negus of Shoa, who became emperor in 1889. It is noted that Markarian earned trust and became a confidant of Menelik, and he was affectionately known as Hayrig Boghos, an Armenian term meaning “Father Boghos,” acknowledging his pioneering contributions and possibly serving as a tribute to his enduring legacy.
Another highly prominent figure within the Armenian community, whose significance surpassed even that of others, was Sarkis Terzian (1868-1915), recognized as one of Emperor Menelik’s esteemed associates. Referred to as “tellik” (meaning “the great” in Amharic), Terzian reportedly arrived in Harar at the age of fourteen. His arrival more or less coincided with the capture of the city of Harar by Menelik’s army in 1887, we learn. He participated in the Ethiopian campaigns against the Somalis in the Ogaden, where he commanded a frontier post. Known as both a smuggler and a merchant, he made his fortune as an arms trader and gained fame by introducing the steamroller, aptly named ‘Sarkis Babur,’ into the country. His close relationship with those in power elevated him to a revered status among the descendants of Armenian immigrants to Ethiopia, who regard him as a founding hero.
Another notable figure was Dikran Ebeyan, who crafted Emperor Menilek’s crown. As Professor Richard Pankhurst detailed in his essay, “Menilek and the Utilization of Foreign Skills in Ethiopia,” Dikran, who came from Cairo, was a jeweler by trade. His interest in Ethiopia was sparked “when an Ethiopian pilgrim bound for the Holy Land had stopped in Egypt, bearing a letter from Menelik to the Armenian community, requesting them to send him a goldsmith. The Armenian is said to have made three unsuccessful attempts to reach Ethiopia by way of Massawa but was each time stopped at the port. Eventually, however, he landed at Tajurah and proceeded inland to Menilek’s court, where he was never short of work. He produced several crowns for the sovereign and his consort Taytu, among them the crown used in Menilek’s coronation as Emperor in 1889 and another which the Emperor presented to the cathedral of Aksum.”
In one passage of “La fanfare du néguse,” Adjemian elucidates how the Armenian figures employed at the gebbi, the imperial palace, were under the protection of the Ethiopian rulers while upholding a discreet presence. “Contemporary sources only briefly mention their existence, often portraying them solely in the context of their craft or commercial roles. But personal relationships held great significance during this period, at a time when there was not yet a formal Ethiopian government and when, in the words of historian Berhanou Abebe, the realm of “foreign affairs” was, in fact, the emperor’s interactions with foreigners. The protocol was somewhat uncodified at the court of Menelik II, allowing individuals like Dikran Ebeyan, a simple Armenian goldsmith, to mingle with the small society of European diplomats and leverage his interpersonal skills.”
Another notable figure of this era was Krikorios Boghossian, who established himself in Addis Ababa in 1895 and played a significant role as an official supplier to the imperial court, providing silks, ironware, and perfumes. He was a valued servant of Emperor Menelik, who presented him with the famous felt hat, a symbol often seen in many photographic portraits of Boghossian. This gesture of appreciation, as recounted by Adjemian, was in gratitude for a pair of suitable socks that allowed Menelik to ride a horse without awakening his rheumatism.
Krikorios Boghossian was married to an Ethiopian aristocrat woman, although her name is not mentioned. They had children, including Aghassi Boghossian, Khatchig Boghossian, and Khosrov Boghossian. Khosroff Boghossian, who had been a confidant of Emperor Haile Selassie since 1930, later rose to the rank of colonel in the Ethiopian army and served as the Master of the Imperial Horse for Emperor Haile Selassie. His son, Skunder Boghossian later rose to fame as a renowned Ethiopian abstract artist and served as a mentor for future art students. Despite his fame and recognition, I anticipated the book would offer some coverage of him. Disappointingly, his name isn’t mentioned at all, which is a surprising omission for a book that strives to provide thorough coverage of the Armenian community in Ethiopia. Elizabeth W. Giorgis, an art historian and admirer of Skunder, delves into his Armenian lineage. Skunder’s father, Colonel Kosrov Gorgoros Boghossian, played an active role in resisting Italian occupation, she writes. The Colonel’s wartime captivity in Italy, commencing when Skunder was just one year old, extended until the boy reached the age of eight, consequently depriving him of his most formative and tender childhood years.
As the book makes clear, over the years, the Armenian community witnessed prosperity, with their businesses flourishing and expanding. These enterprises catered to both foreign residents and Ethiopians, engaging in various sectors such as the sale of paper, perfumes, shoes, locally fabricated umbrellas, blankets, wool, and a wide array of food items. Additionally, their ventures extended to the trade of wine and liquor, further contributing to their economic success.
