The Ethiopian Empire's Lost Jewish Kingdom: Beta Israel

Long before Emperor Zara Yaqob's reforms or the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, a Jewish kingdom flourished in the highlands of Ethiopia. This episode explores the Beta Israel — the Ethiopian Jews who maintained an independent state for centuries, with their own kings, priesthood, and scriptures. We trace their origins from the legend of the Queen of Sheba to their confrontation with the Christian Solomonic dynasty under Emperor Yeshaq I in the 15th century. Lucas and Luna discuss the archaeological evidence at the monastery of Däbrä Dammo, the Ge'ez-language Jewish texts known as the Te'ezaza Sanbat (Commandments of the Sabbath), and the brutal campaign that forced the Beta Israel into subjugation. We also examine the Kebra Nagast's portrayal of Jews as a rival tradition and the lingering question of whether these communities predate the arrival of Christianity in Ethiopia. With a deep dive into the Semien Mountains fortress of the Jewish king Gideon, this episode sheds light on one of Africa's most overlooked civilizations. #BetaIsrael #EthiopianJews #Te'ezazaSanbat #DäbräDammo #YeshaqI #SemienMountains #KebraNagast #Ge'ez #QueenSheba #GideonBetaIsrael #SolomonicDynasty #EthiopianHistory #LostKingdom #Africa #Falasha #Religion #History #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo