Why Ethiopia Inspired Tolkien.
Tues 12 Oct 2027 –
Join this compelling 45-minute webinar exploring why Tolkien was inspired by Ethiopia. We will begin with an introduction before examining the European colonisation of Africa and why Ethiopia stood apart as a unique African anomaly. You’ll discover Ethiopia’s growing prestige after defeating Italy, the significance of the Emperor’s coronation, and the impact of another Italian invasion. We’ll also examine Tolkien’s 1971 Leaf Mould letter, the British Expedition of 1868, and Tolkien’s own Ethiopian scholarly work. If you can’t attend live, a password-protected recording will be available for 10 days.