I thought "Some Records of Ethiopia" gave a very negative view of the Ethiopian culture. As we discussed in class I am sure there are more positive aspects to their culture but those shown make me want to stay away from Ethiopia. The citizens were presented in a way that made them look very untrustworthy and acting in a way that benefits them most at the time (selfish and conniving). These feelings towards the culture steam from sections in the text describing characteristics of their personalities:
"Nevertheless their are ordinarily changeable and inconsistent and so today they are with the lord and tomorrow will leave him and take another. They readily swear to any agreement and then break it as if they had not sworn. Hence arises incessant rebellions and most often, if things go badly for the rebel and his followers, they ask the Emperor's pardon and obtain it. They are soon admitted to honorable posts at court, even some who have lapsed into the crime of treason two or three times." (58)
The Ethiopians seem to me to be people who do what they want when they want to do it and always get away with it. In another section of the reading cheating in marriage is discussed and to make up for the infidelity things of monetary value are exchanged. In our culture even to the smallest degree of a promise is broken people get upset with one another and forgiveness does not come instantly even with bribery. I would imagine that the peoples of Ethiopia would be more compassionate and feel a sense of moral obligation to aspects of their life although the author does not seem to present them this way.
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