Ethiopian Chess

Just a video that aspires to give insight into an element of pre-colonial Ethiopian court-life. Might make more videos like this in the future; lots of other board games to be discussed.

Patreon:
  / hiddenhistory  

Sources:
Primary:
Travels in Abyssinia and the Galla country - Walter Plowden
Voyages and Travels to India, Ceylon, The Red Sea, Abyssinia, and Egypt Vol 3. - Henry Salt
A Voyage to Abyssinia and Travels Into the Interior of that Country Executed Under the Orders of the British Government, in the Years 1809 and 1810 - Henry Salt
The Life and Adventures of Nathaniel Pearce: Written by Himself, During a Residence in Abyssinia from the Years 1810 to 1819 Vol 1. - John James Halls, Nathaniel Pearce
The Life and Adventures of Nathaniel Pearce: Written by Himself, During a Residence in Abyssinia from the Years 1810 to 1819 Vol 2. - John James Halls, Nathaniel Pearce

Secondary:
Senterej, or ethiopian chess - Richard Pankhurst
History and Principles of Ethiopian Chess - Richard Pankhurst
A World of Chess Its Development and Variations Through Centuries and Civilizations - Jean-Lois Cazaux, Rick Knowlton
Origin of chess - a phylogenetic perspective - Alex R. Kraaijeveld

~ Credits ~
Songs:
Civ VI Ethiopia Themes
Civ IV Ethiopia Themes

Target Audience of this video is 16+, narration is broadly in a formal register that is not intended to appeal to children (under 13, to be honest). Subject material is not thought to be interesting to children (video is about Chess History). Consider both of these things together. Color palette is rather dry, not particularly vibrant. Nor is narration, for that matter. Artstyle is somewhat "cartoony", however this is not the effect of intentional marketing towards children. It is a result of the fact that art in this video about Ethiopian history, is inspired by Ethiopian art.

Chapters:
0:00 Context
0:55 European Descriptions
2:25 "Competitive" Chess
5:13 Royal Court & Chess
6:59 Chess in Ethiopian Culture
7:49 Origins of Ethiopian Chess
8:25 Conclusions