Eleanor Finch
The institution of slavery has been a significant part of Ethiopian history, with various laws and regulations governing the practice over the centuries. One of the earliest written laws regulating slavery in the region was the Fetha Nagast (The Law of the Kings), a traditional legal code for Ethiopian Christians that classified and regulated slavery and manumission practices. While slavery was officially abolished in Ethiopia in 1942, the country's constitution and legal system have since evolved to prohibit slavery and protect the fundamental rights and freedoms of all individuals. The 1994 Constitution of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia establishes a federal and democratic state structure, guaranteeing equality, unity, and protection from cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment for all its citizens.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year of Constitution | 1994 |
| Slavery | Outlawed |
| Forced Labour | Outlawed |
| Human Trafficking | Outlawed |
| Equality | All people are equal, regardless of sex, religion or culture |
| Human Rights | Conform with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, International Covenants on Human Rights and international instruments |
| Right to Life | Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security |
| Protection from Cruel Treatment | Everyone has the right to protection from cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment |
| Marriage | Valid when spouses have given their free and full consent |
| Abduction of a Woman | Punishable with 3-10 years of rigorous imprisonment |
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What You'll Learn
- The Fetha Nagast, an ancient Ethiopian legal manuscript, provided a framework for classifying and regulating slavery
- The Fetha Nagast stated that prisoners of war and non-believers could be enslaved, and that slave owners were obligated to convert slaves to Christianity
- The Ethiopian Constitution of 1994 guarantees fundamental rights and freedoms, including the right to liberty and protection from cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment
- The Constitution establishes a Federal and Democratic State structure, recognising Ethiopia's diverse Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples
- The Constitution promotes equality and unity among Ethiopia's diverse communities, guaranteeing equal recognition of all Ethiopian languages
The Fetha Nagast, an ancient Ethiopian legal manuscript, provided a framework for classifying and regulating slavery
Slavery was a long-standing institution in Ethiopia, with the practice dating back to 1495 BC. The Fetha Nagast, or the Law of the Kings, was one of the first written laws to regulate slavery in the region. It was a traditional law for Ethiopian Christians, translated from 13th-century Arabic writings of a Coptic Egyptian writer, Abu-l Fada’il Ibn at- ‘Assal. The Fetha Nagast provided a framework for classifying and regulating slavery, with prisoners of war, non-believers, and children of slaves among those who could be legally enslaved. The law also drew a distinction between domestic slavery and the slave trade, which was deeply integrated into the functioning of the state.
Under the Fetha Nagast, slaves were considered both property and human beings. On one hand, they could be bought, sold, or rented, and they were prohibited from owning property, serving as witnesses, making wills, or holding public office. On the other hand, slave owners had certain obligations toward their slaves, such as allowing them to worship and not separating women from their children or splitting up siblings. The Fetha Nagast also mandated instances in which slaves had to be freed, such as after serving two generations of a family or if a slave became a priest or monk.
The Fetha Nagast's influence extended beyond the realm of slavery. For example, it justified the practice of domestic slavery through Biblical Writ and described slave emancipation as "the Highest form of Charity." Additionally, it provided legal principles that shaped daily life in sixteenth-century Ethiopia. However, the enforcement of the Fetha Nagast was limited due to the lack of effective control by central governments and the fact that those in positions of authority, such as judges and chiefs, often supported the institution of slavery themselves.
Slavery in Ethiopia was officially abolished in 1942 under Emperor Haile Selassie, although there were earlier attempts to curb the practice, such as King Gälawdéwos's edict in 1548, which banned the trafficking of Christians and their sale to Arab owners. Today, the Constitution of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia prohibits slavery and forced labour, guaranteeing freedom and equal rights for all citizens.
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The Fetha Nagast stated that prisoners of war and non-believers could be enslaved, and that slave owners were obligated to convert slaves to Christianity
Slavery was a part of Ethiopian society for centuries, with sources indicating the existence of the practice as far back as 1495 BC. The Fetha Nagast, or The Law of Kings, was one of the first written laws to regulate slavery in the Ethiopian region. It was a traditional law for Ethiopian Christians translated from 13th-century Arabic writings of a Coptic Egyptian writer, Abu-l Fada'il Ibn at- 'Assal.
Under the Fetha Nagast, prisoners of war (POWs) and non-believers could be legally enslaved. The law stated that liberty is in accord with the law of reason and natural law, but the outcome of war could result in the vanquished becoming slaves of the victors. It also allowed for the enslavement of non-believers and the children of slaves, and there were additional bases for enslaving people beyond these categories. For example, slavery could be imposed as a punishment for committing certain crimes, such as theft or selling slaves.
The Fetha Nagast also outlined the status of slaves, who were considered both property and, in some ways, human beings, particularly in the case of Christian slaves. Slaves could be bought, sold, or rented, and they could not own property, serve as witnesses, make wills without permission, act as judges, hold public offices, serve as guardians, or represent their masters in lawsuits. However, in practice, the ban on serving as witnesses was often disregarded, especially in murder cases.
The conversion of slaves to Christianity did not necessarily lead to their emancipation. While some Christian slaves developed their form of Christianity, merging their traditional beliefs with Christian beliefs, their conversion did not change their legal status as property.
The enforcement of the Fetha Nagast and other laws was limited due to the lack of effective control by central governments in vast parts of the Ethiopian region. Additionally, the involvement of people in authority, such as judges and chiefs, in slave ownership supported the institution and made it difficult for slaves to gain freedom.
Ethiopia officially abolished slavery and involuntary servitude in 1942 under Emperor Haile Selassie, and it later ratified the 1926 Slavery Convention in 1969.
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The Ethiopian Constitution of 1994 guarantees fundamental rights and freedoms, including the right to liberty and protection from cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment
Slavery was a part of Ethiopian society for centuries, with its earliest existence dating back to 1495 BC. The Fetha Nagast (The Law of the Kings) was one of the first written laws to regulate slavery in the region. It was a traditional law for Ethiopian Christians, translated from 13th-century Arabic writings. Under this law, prisoners of war, non-believers, and the children of slaves could be legally enslaved. Additionally, the perception of slavery was influenced by religious law, which banned Christian slave masters from enslaving Christians. However, Muslim Ethiopian slave traders participated in the Arab slave trade.
Emperor Haile Selassie officially abolished slavery and involuntary servitude in 1942, and Ethiopia later ratified the 1926 Slavery Convention in 1969. Despite this, slavery was not completely eradicated, and even after abolition, former slaves often continued to work for their ex-masters as unskilled labourers.
The Ethiopian Constitution of 1994 was established to create a Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, guaranteeing fundamental rights and freedoms. This constitution explicitly states that no one shall be held in slavery or servitude, and human trafficking for any purpose is prohibited. It also ensures the right to liberty, protection from cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment, and freedom from forced or compulsory labour.
The 1994 Constitution also provides for freedom of movement, the right to change nationality, and the protection of children from cruel and inhumane treatment in schools and other institutions. It promotes equality, prohibiting discrimination based on sex, religion, or culture. Additionally, it ensures the right to freedom of association and the freedom to manifest one's religion or beliefs, within legal limitations to protect public safety and the fundamental rights of others.
The Ethiopian Constitution of 1994 reflects a commitment to building a political community founded on the rule of law, guaranteeing democratic order, and advancing economic and social development. It recognises the importance of respecting individual freedoms and rights, promoting equality, and rectifying historically unjust relationships.
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The Constitution establishes a Federal and Democratic State structure, recognising Ethiopia's diverse Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples
Slavery was an integral part of Ethiopian society for centuries, with its existence dating back to 1495 BC and ending in 1942. The Fetha Nagast (The Law of the Kings) was one of the first written laws to regulate slavery in the region. It stated that prisoners of war, non-believers, and the children of slaves could be legally enslaved. The practice of slavery was abolished in 1942 by Emperor Haile Selassie, though there were attempts made by previous emperors to end the institution.
The Constitution of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia establishes a Federal and Democratic State structure, recognising Ethiopia's diverse Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples. The Constitution provides for the right to self-determination and secession of these groups, as well as the promotion of their equality and unity. It also grants them the right to their own language, culture, and history, with the power to establish their own institutions of government and equitable representation in state and Federal governments.
The Constitution further recognises the right of these groups to improved living standards, sustainable development, and participation in national development. It ensures their right to land ownership, protection from eviction, and free land for grazing and cultivation. The Constitution also establishes an independent judiciary, with the Federal Supreme Court as the supreme Federal judicial authority.
Additionally, the Constitution addresses issues such as the national anthem, language recognition, and nationality. It guarantees the right to a reasonable standard of living, a clean and healthy environment, and compensation for those displaced or adversely affected by State programmes. It also includes provisions against slavery and human trafficking, prohibiting forced labour and the abduction of women.
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The Constitution promotes equality and unity among Ethiopia's diverse communities, guaranteeing equal recognition of all Ethiopian languages
Slavery was a fundamental institution in Ethiopian history, with roots going as far back as 1495 BC. The Fetha Nagast, an ancient Ethiopian legal manuscript, provided a framework for classifying and regulating enslavement. Under this framework, prisoners of war, non-believers, and the children of slaves could be legally enslaved. Additionally, slavery was often a result of continuous wars and raids between various clans and tribes, with rulers and neighbours raiding each other for slaves.
In the 1920s, Ethiopia faced increasing pressure from the western news media, anti-slavery groups, and European powers to abolish slavery. Emperor Haile Selassie, who returned to power after the Italians were expelled, officially abolished slavery and involuntary servitude in 1942.
The 1994 Constitution of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia reflects the country's commitment to building a political community founded on the rule of law, guaranteeing a democratic order, and advancing economic and social development. The Constitution promotes equality and unity among Ethiopia's diverse communities, guaranteeing equal recognition of all Ethiopian languages. It ensures that all Ethiopian languages shall enjoy equal state recognition, with Amharic as the working language of the Federal Government. Members of the Federation may determine their respective working languages.
The Constitution also outlines fundamental rights and freedoms, including the right to life, liberty, and protection against bodily harm, cruel treatment, and arbitrary arrest. It guarantees freedom from slavery and servitude, prohibiting human trafficking and forced labour. Additionally, it addresses marriage laws, requiring free and full consent from both spouses and setting a minimum age of eighteen years for marriage.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the 1994 Constitution of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia mentions slavery in Article 587, which states that "No one shall be held in slavery or servitude. Trafficking in human beings for whatever purpose is prohibited. No one shall be required to perform forced or compulsory labour."
Slavery was a fundamental institution in Ethiopian history, with roots dating back to 1495 BC. It was officially abolished in 1942 by Emperor Haile Selassie, who returned to power after the Italians were expelled. The Fetha Nagast, an ancient Ethiopian legal manuscript, provided a framework for classifying and regulating slavery, stating that it emerged as a consequence of warfare and prohibiting the enslavement of Christians.
The Fetha Nagast, or "The Law of the Kings," was a traditional law for Ethiopian Christians that served as the basis for the country's anti-slavery legal system. It declared that liberty is in accord with the law of reason and natural law, but that war and victory could bring some into the service of others. It also provided for the enslavement of non-believers, prisoners of war, and the children of slaves.
