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Library of Congress Research Guides

Lakech Aklilu Jezequel Collection on Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Djibouti

The items included in this collection were published predominantly in France in the 19th and 20th century and cover events and themes related to the Horn of Africa.

Introduction

Randy, McNally & Company. Map of Abyssinia and Surrounding Countries. 1898. Library of Congress Geography and Map Division.

The Lakech Aklilu Jezequel Collection in the African Section consists of 423 periodical issues, postcards, and photographs that feature Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Djibouti during the 19th and 20th centuries. Periodical issues cover events including two major wars between Ethiopia and Italy, the establishment of the Franco-Ethiopian railway, Ethiopia under Emperor Haile Selassie and Selassie’s downfall. Complementing textual resources are historical images in 372 postcards and a unique collection of 271 historical photographs.

This guide serves as a finding aid for the periodical issues which were published predominantly in France between 1833 and 2001. While they are mostly French publications concerned with French and European matters, issues in this collection all include coverage - articles, photos, maps, etc... -  about Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Djibouti. Some issues are entirely dedicated to coverage of major events in the region such as the Italo-Ethiopian Wars, while others cover a few pages of relevant material, and others feature a single photo with a caption. This guide is designed to direct attention to the material in each issue relevant to this region of the world and its history.

Additionally, there is a page featuring several photographs and postcards in the collection in order to give researchers a preview of holdings, which are available onsite at the Library. 

Lakech Aklilu Jezequel and her husband Mark Jezequel assembled this collection over decades working with rare book dealers in France. The African Section acquired the collection in 2023. 

 

How to Use This Guide

The periodicals in this collection are divided into six chronological periods which are further divided by publication. Brief summaries of the relevant Ethiopia/Eritrea/Djibouti content and keywords are provided for each issue. Publication date and page numbers if available are also included in the inventory.

About the African Section

For Africa south of the Sahara, the focal point of the Library's reference and bibliographic service is the African Section, one of three units of the African and Middle Eastern Division. The Section was formally established in the Library of Congress in 1960, a momentous year in sub-Saharan Africa as 17 nations gained independence. Supported initially by a grant from the Carnegie Corporation and later by funds appropriated by Congress, the African Section focuses on virtually all topics relating to sub-Saharan Africa. It advises and cooperates in the Library's acquisition program, provides reference and bibliographic services, and maintains liaison with other research and teaching institutions in the United States and abroad.

Reference Assistance

Reference assistance is available from African area specialists listed below. You can also use our Ask a Librarian service to contact us.

Edward Miner, Head, African Section, African & Middle Eastern Division
Contact information: [email protected] | Tel: (202) 707-2242

Abdulahi Ahmed, Reference Librarian (Horn of Africa & Sahel Specialist), African Section, African & Middle Eastern Division
Contact information: [email protected] | Tel: (202) 707-4176

Bianna Ine-Ryan, Reference Librarian (Anglophone West & Southern Africa Specialist), African & Middle Eastern Division
Contact information: [email protected] | Tel: (202) 707-9621

Florence Mugambi, Reference Librarian (Francophone and East Africa Specialist), African Section, African & Middle Eastern Division
Contact information: [email protected] | Tel: (202) 707-0493

Fentahun Tiruneh, Ethiopic Area Specialist, African Section, African & Middle Eastern Division
Contact information: [email protected] | Tel: (202) 707-4163

Subjects: African Studies
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