Abstract:
The thesis titled Cataloguing of Some Selected Manuscripts in Däbrä Ḫəruyan Ḫəruy
Saint Giyorgis Church presents an in-depth description of the ancient manuscripts
housed within this church, aiming to catalogue these texts. Employing a qualitative
research methods, the study involved fieldwork and inventory techniques, focusing on
primary sources for data collection and descriptive analysis to capture each
manuscript's unique characteristics. The research involved a carefull description of 25
manuscripts. Each manuscript is assigned a distinct identification code (ḪG-01 to ḪG
25) for easy reference and is primarily inscribed on parchment in the Gəˀəz language,
with some containing notes in Amharic. The handwriting styles vary, showcasing both
räqiq (8 Mss) and gwəlh (17 Mss) scripts, predominantly in black and red ink. Notable
manuscripts include Miracles of Mary (ḪG-03), Four Gospels (ḪG-09), and Gädlä
Giyorgis (ḪG-05), featuring unique miniatures. The number of folios range from 28
for Säqoqawä Dəngəl and Maḥletä Ṣəge (ḪG-20) to 332 for Gädlä Giyorgis (ḪG-05),
and the number of quires vary, between 4 for ḪG-20 to 32 for Four Gospels (ḪG-10).
Manuscripts exhibit a range of dimensions, varying from small 14x10x5 cm3 for Ṣälotä
ˁəṭan (ḪG-14) to larger formats 38x33x7 cm3 for Gəbrä Ḥəmamat (ḪG-15). The
materials used for manuscript boards are mainly wood, some being broken, with covers
typically made of leather or cloth. Most manuscripts date back to the 19th century,
with the Four Gospels (ḪG-10) being the only one from the 15th century. Ownership
notes, donor records (e.g., ḪG-24), and colophons (e.g., ḪG-05) provide insights into
the manuscripts’ provenance and the socio-political networks of Ethiopian nobility and
clergy. All 25 Mss digitized using CamScanner. This research is vital for compiling
detailed information about these manuscripts, highlighting the urgent need for
preservation efforts, especially for those in risky condition like Gädlä Giyorgis (ḪG