Ethiopian literature

Ethiopian literature started around 4th century AD with Aksumite texts written in Geez language using Geez alphabet, indigenous to both Ethiopia and Eritrea.

The following are some of the known Ethiopian literatures. Some of them were written by Ethiopians, while some are by foreigners and both. But all of them are either in Geez or Amharic languages using Geez (Ethiopic) alphabet.

Aksumite Literature (300-900 AD)
• Garima Gospels: it's the earliest surviving Christian manuscript in the world.
• Ethiopic Bible: it contains 81 Books (46 of the Old Testament and 36 of the New Testament)
• Book of Enoch: the completed form of this Book is only found in Geez language.

Post-Aksumite Litreture (1200-1599 AD)
• Fetha Negest (Laws of the Kings)
• Kebra Negest (Glory of the Kings)
• Fekkare Iyasus (Explication of Jesus)
• Matshafe Berhan (The Book of Light)
• Matshafe Milad (The Book of Nativity)
• Retu Haimanot (True Orthodoxy)
• Anqasa Amin (Gate of the Faith)
• Sawana Nafs (Refuge of the Soul)
• Fekkare Malakot (Exposition of the Godhead)
• Haymanote Abaw (Faith of the Fathers)

Early Modern literature (1560 - 18th Century AD)
• Zenahu le-Galla (History of Oromo)
• Treaties of Zera Yacob
• Treatise of Walda Heywat

Modern Literature (19th Century - Present)
• Feker Eska Maqaber (Love to the Grave): is perhaps the most renowned book in modern Ethiopian literature, consider a modern masterpiece.