(1) Krapf to SEM Inspector, Korntal 1870.06.06
Archive: SEM /S 1,2 /E I 3
Published: Missions-Tidning 1870, p. 55
Literature: Arén, Pioneers, p. 156-57.
1.1 Swedish translation [probably from an English original]
1.2 English backtranslation
Korntal near Stuttgart, 6 June 1870
Dear Mr Inspector [Rev Knut Wilhelm Almqvist]!
I have received your very important letter of 30 May and would like to answer it immediately […]
And now to the point! Mysterious are the ways of God! Eight days ago, I received letters from our brothers Maier and Bender, as well as from the Abyssinian Alaca Saneb [aläqa Zännäb], who is with our brothers. They write that King Menelek of Shoa has invited them to come to his kingdom, that he has sent Alaca Saneb [p. 2] 2000 Maria Theresia Thalers to buy things in Egypt, and that they are to come by way of Aden and Tadjourra to Shoa, where the king has reopened the old road, having made friends with Sultan Abu Baker of Tadjourra.
Alaca Saneb is an Abyssinian scholar who was converted by reading the Bible and holding meetings in Magdala, where he read and explained the Word of God to the Abyssinian soldiers. Born in Shoa, he has long lived among the Oromo people, whose language he fully understands. He has translated the entire New Testament into the Oromo language and sent it to me. I am revising it and will print it in Chrischona when ready. The Gospel of Luke is already being printed.
This man now wishes to go to Shoa and, together with Brother [Johannes] Maier, begin a mission among the Oromo groups in Shoa. Alaca Saneb believes that the King of Shoa will be happy to grant permission and even to cooperate. He has also authorised the Catholics to establish a mission among the Oromo in Finfinnee [later known as Addis Ababa]. Therefore, he will certainly give the same permission to the Protestants, whom he has come to know and love in Magdala.
My advice now is this: Send two missionaries with Saneb by way of Aden and Tadjourra to Shoa, with the intention of beginning a mission among the Oromo there. Your missionary society’s original plan was to evangelise the Oromo groups. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if the Lord brought you back to that first plan?
With the two brothers going to Shoa, you should send a blacksmith and a tailor since the king is eager to get European labourers and even wants to pay them. The king has instructed Alaca Saneb to get more craftsmen from Europe and to make it known that skilled workers may come, whom he will treat well and reward. […] I believe that God has directed you to the Oromo. In Shoa it is peaceful and there are no wars as in the rest of Ethiopia. […]
As for our missionary [Johann Martin] Flad, he is due to leave for Abyssinia in September. He has received good news. His friend Taferri has become governor of the province of Dembea, where many Abyssinian Jews (Felasha) live and where his station used to be. Flad will now travel via Khartoum to Matamma and Gondar. Attempt reaching the Oromo before you consider any other fields. Isn’t it remarkable that the doors to Shoa opened just when Kunama has been closed to you? […]
The Pilgrim Mission at Chrischona has decided to let Brother Maier of Adoa go with Saneb to Shoa. Firstly, on behalf of the English [i.e. British and Foreign] Bible Society, he is to distribute the Amharic Bible among the Christians. Then, he is to go to a suitable station in the land of the Oromo. The Pilgrim Mission will send him another brother when he finds a good place. Your brethren could travel with him and Alaca Saneb; Maier understands Amharic and Oromo, is well acquainted with the king, and has many friends [p. 3] in Shoa. Maier will help your brethren in everything, you can be sure of that. We shall leave Brother Bender in Tigre so that we may have someone there who will spread the Word of God and maintain the connection between Flad and the coast.
Our brethren have also recently informed us of your missionaries’ progress. They often receive news from Kunama through Abyssinians from Adiabo, who have seen your brethren. I shall write to Abyssinia tomorrow. As the letters pass over Massawa, I will enclose a few lines to Mr [Wilhelm] Ahlborg and tell him what I have written to you. Your brothers, however, can communicate with Mr Maier and Alaca Saneb, i.e. they can write to each other. Alaca Saneb will come to Massawa himself. Perhaps he is already there. […]
L.[udwig] Krapf