Hidden in Plain Sight: The Ethiopian Tabot and the Ghost of the Empire

Abstract

Twice every week, students at Westminster School gather for prayers in England's most important church, Westminster Abbey. However, for many of us, the experience is complicated. Not all of us are Christian, and even among those who are, it is hard to comprehend how much of the Abbey is filled with things that feel distant, or even irrelevant, to our faith. Among the objects is the Tabot, originally from the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church. Its presence in the heart of the Anglican world points to a shadowy past, one marked by imperial aggression and religious dominance. This paper examines how the Tabot was brought to Westminster Abbey, the ethical and theological problems it raises, and the arguments for restitution. The clash between the European colonial powers and African countries in the 19th to 20th century then becomes evident: it was not merely a matter of conquest, but a deeper struggle over religious authority and historical memory. Restitution of the Tabot to the Ethiopian government, hence, is more than returning the stolen artifact; it is also about addressing the enduring power imbalance and reclaiming religious sovereignty.

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