They boast that they are descendants of St.George.

It is precisely in Tigre, the country of the Abyssinian dancing mania, where they are found in the greatest numbers, and where they have, in the neighbourhood of Axum, a church of their own, dedicated to their patron saint, _Oun Arvel_.

Here there is an ever-burning lamp, and they contrive to impress a belief that this is kept alight by supernatural means.

They also here keep a holy water, which is said to be a cure for those who are affected by the dancing mania.
The Abyssinian Zoomorphism is a no less important phenomenon, and shows itself a manner quite peculiar.

The blacksmiths and potters form among the Abyssinians a society or caste called in Tigre _Tebbib_, and in Amhara _Buda_, which is held in some degree of contempt, and excluded from the sacrament of the Lord's Supper, because it is believed that they can change themselves into hyaenas and other beasts of prey, on which account they are feared by everybody, and regarded with horror.