ABSTRACT
Ca) Semitic Colonization in Abyssinia WE have already shown how the pastoral Kushitic tribes who formed the predominant racial element in northern Abyssinia suffered a profound cultural modification through Semitic
migrations. I The main Semitic influx was around the seventh century B.C. The most important group was the J:Iabashat who, migrating from the Sahartan Province of Yaman,2 gave their name to the whole country affected by the settlement and occupied the northern parts of Tigrai. Another important group was the Ge'ez, whose language was to become the literary vehicle of Christianity,3 who settled in the Shimezana, Akelt!-Guzai, and Agamt!.
