The Falash Mura Question: Research and Identity
A researcher discusses the sensitive issue of the Falash Mura — Ethiopian Jews who converted to Christianity. The word means one who changes his face in Agaw language. The first direct witness was Simon Messing in 1962 who accidentally discovered a convert during medical research. The issue causes defensive reactions both among Israelis (fear of being fooled) and Ethiopians (treated differently due to being poor and Black).
enThe Falash Mura: Population, Villages and Characteristics
Lecture presenting factual data about the Falash Mura based on field research in 1992. About 24,000 live in villages (Denbia, Chilga areas near Lake Tana), 3,200 were in Addis Ababa awaiting aliyah, and 3,000 had arrived in Israel. They are identified by themselves and neighbors as Beta Israel descendants, work traditional Jewish professions (blacksmithing, pottery, weaving), and intermarriage with Christians is under 5%.