January
1927
The market of Addis Ababa itself was of enormous interest. The farmers arrived there early in the morning from all directions, bringing their grain for sale in shawls and bags and spreading it out on the marketplace. This kind of exhibition made it possible to survey within a short time what was cultivated in the country and what the inhabitants lived on. Unfortunately somebody had issued an order, putting obstacles in the way for my purchase of seeds. A rumour was spread that the evil European eye infallibly ‘casts a spell’, leading to dire consequences. However, the trained personnel carried out the necessary missions and obtained samples which were forwarded to Leningrad. [1]
The usual routine of outfitting the caravan began. The itinerary was long; we had to reckon on at least 3 months on the road. Negotiations with the English envoy concerning entry to Sudan had not met with success, so I decided to stop at the alternative of departing for Eritrea. After the itinerary had been worked out by means of the available literature and information obtained in Addis Ababa, I intended to visit all the agricultural areas around Gonder in interior Abyssinia and from there go to Asmara, the capital of Eritrea. The collection of seeds and plants promised to be great. The timing of the expedition turned out to be very favourable. This was the period when the grain was ripening and we would, thus, be able to collect not only grain but a rich sample of ears.
Notes:
- One wishes there were more about these trained personnel, who put the rumour about, why, and all that. But there isn’t. [↩]
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