Ink, angels and hard graft: the artists keeping Ethiopia’s ancient illuminated manuscript craft alive

Solomon Mamo (right), an editor, discusses changes with writer Dawit Fantaye, at the Hamere Berhan Institute in Addis Ababa. All photographs by Fred Harter Photograph: Fred Harter

In a workshop in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s capital, four writers wrapped in traditional white shawls sit in silent concentration, hunched over goat skin parchments, eyes straining in the dim natural light. Homemade bamboo pens in hand, ink pots by their sides, they are painstakingly writing out sacred texts in the religious language of Ge’ez – continuing an ancient manuscript writing tradition that has been practised in the Ethiopian highlands for millennia.

Occasionally, an editor comes over to discuss corrections. In an adjoining room, a team of artists paint colourful scenes of angels and saints.