Originally published in 1986 by Michigan State U. as no.17 in the Ethiopian series. This reprint carries a new short introduction in which the author discussses some recent developments among the Ethiopian Falashas, known also by their traditional name Beta Israel and, more recently, as Ethiopian Jews. The study began as a dissertation on Falasha liturgical music which broadened to explore the implications of these materials for understanding Falasha history. Annotation(c) 2003 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)