Zion Arrives in Ethiopia
The Kebra Nagast says that Menyelek, whom these chapters call David, came home from Jerusalem with songs, pipes and wagons, reaching the city of Wakerom in a single day. Messengers went ahead by ship to tell his mother Makeda, the Queen of Sheba, that her son had become king and that they had brought the heavenly Zion, the Ark. She sent a herald through her lands and went out with her soldiers to the capital, Dabra Makeda, where perfumes had been gathered.
When the king arrived, Zion was seen on high giving out light like the sun. The Queen bowed, struck her breast, clapped, laughed and danced. Tents were pitched on the plain below the city, thirty-two thousand oxen and bulls were slaughtered, and Zion was set on the fortress of Dabra Makeda under guard.
Did You Know?
The Ethiopians are said to have travelled from Jerusalem to the city of Wakerom in a single day, marching like an army of heavenly beings.
Messengers were sent ahead in ships to tell Queen Makeda that her son had become king and had brought the heavenly Zion.
The capital where the Queen met her son was called Dabra Makeda, a city she had built and named after herself.
Thirty-two thousand stalled oxen and bulls were slaughtered at the feast held on the plain at the foot of Dabra Makeda.
Three hundred sword bearers were set to guard the pavilion of Zion, while the king himself had seven hundred guards.
Key Passage
Zion Arrives in Ethiopia
The Kebra Nagast 84:1-5
And the King of Ethiopia returned to his country with great joy and gladness; and marching along with their songs, and t...
1nd the King of Ethiopia returned to his country with great joy and gladness; and marching along with their songs, and their pipes, and their wagons, like an army of heavenly beings, the Ethiopians arrived from Jerusalem at the city of Wakerom in a single day.
Did You Know?
The Ethiopians are said to have travelled from Jerusalem to the city of Wakerom in a single day, marching like an army of heavenly beings.
Messengers were sent ahead in ships to tell Queen Makeda that her son had become king and had brought the heavenly Zion.
The capital where the Queen met her son was called Dabra Makeda, a city she had built and named after herself.
Thirty-two thousand stalled oxen and bulls were slaughtered at the feast held on the plain at the foot of Dabra Makeda.
Three hundred sword bearers were set to guard the pavilion of Zion, while the king himself had seven hundred guards.