Introduction

The Kebra Nagast, or The Glory of the Kings, is a piece of 14th-century Ethiopian literature written in Ge’ez by Is'haq Neburä -Id of Axum. It is set in Ethiopia and Israel, detailing how the line of Solomon is connected to Ethiopian royalty through his relationship with Queen Sheba. The story details the spread of Christianity to Ethiopia and the eventual relocation of the Ark of the Covenant to Ethiopia. The story initially follows Queen Sheba, who visits King Solomon in Jerusalem after hearing about his eloquence and great wisdom. The pair are captivated by one another, this leads to Solomon tricking Queen Sheba into sleeping with him. This relationship leads to the conception of Bayna Likhim - Queen Sheba travels back to Ethiopia, pregnant with their son. As Bayna Likhim grows, his interest in his fathers identity becomes relevant. Eventually, Bayna Likhim travels to Israel himself to meet his father. Bayna Likhim’s resemblance to his father is undeniable to the people of Israel, who mistake him for his father. When King Solomon meets his son, he becomes determined to make Bayna Likhim his heir - Bayna’s connection to Ethiopia pulls him away from this birthright. As he returns to Ethiopia, he takes the Ark of the Covenant with him - the Ark finds a new home in Ethiopia.

This map follows Bayna Likhim’s journey, detailing how it parallels the journey his mother took before him. It recognizes that Mount Sinai is where the Ark of the Covenant originated, and connects Bayna Likhim’s movement with the movement of the Ark. Beginning in Aksum, the map links to coinage from Aksum that recognizes the wealth of Queen Sheba and her son are born into. Queen Sheba’s acceptance of King Solomon’s religion is exemplified through this object, as a reverence to royalty is transformed into a reverence of the connection between royalty and God. Bayna’s arrival at Gaza explores the discovery of his identity in relation to Israel, he is greeted like a king because of how closely he resembles his father. In Gaza, Bayna’s relationship to both Ethiopia and Israel is emphasized. Bayna’s time in Jerusalem explores the relationship between father and son - his resemblance is something that Solomon holds dear. Bayna’s time in Israel reveals that no wealth can replace his attachment to his birthplace. The map ends with Bayna’s return to Ethiopia and the movement of the Ark from Israel to Ethiopia. Like Bayna Likhim himself, the Ark is revered in both regions, but is destined by God to remain in Ethiopia.