John Huntingford was a prominent British historian, linguist, and anthropologist, particularly known for his extensive research on the history and culture of East Africa, especially Ethiopia and Somalia. Here are a few of his notable written works:
1. "The Galla of Ethiopia: The Kingdoms of Kaffa and Janjero" (1955): This book is considered a pioneering study of the Galla (or Oromo) people of Ethiopia, focusing on the kingdoms of Kaffa and Janjero. Huntingford examines their history, social organization, and traditions.
2. "The Historical Geography of Ethiopia from the First Century AD to the Present" (1989): This book provides a detailed analysis of the historical geography of Ethiopia, tracing its political and cultural transformations over the centuries. Huntingford draws upon various historical sources, including ancient texts, archaeological findings, and oral traditions.
3. "The Land Charters of Northern Ethiopia" (1965): In this work, Huntingford translates and analyzes a collection of medieval land charters from the Ethiopian highlands. These charters offer valuable insights into the social, economic, and political structures of the region during that period.
4. "The Northern Somali Dialects of the Somali Language" (1986-1990): This two-volume study examines the dialects spoken by the northern Somali communities. It provides a linguistic analysis of the vocabulary, grammar, and phonology of these dialects.
5. "The Galla of Ethiopia: Together with an Account of the Recent Galla Migrations and Conquests in Ethiopia and Somaliland" (1955): This book examines the history of the Galla people in more detail, focusing on their migrations and conquests in Ethiopia and Somaliland. Huntingford draws on oral traditions, historical texts, and ethnographic accounts to construct their narrative.
6. "The Periplus of the Erythraean Sea: An Ancient Travel Guide to the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean" (1980; co-authored with J. Percival): This book presents an annotated English translation of the ancient Greek text known as the Periplus of the Erythraean Sea, which provides valuable information about the early maritime trade routes in the Red Sea and Indian Ocean regions.
In addition to these works, John Huntingford contributed numerous articles and chapters to various journals, encyclopedias, and edited volumes on African history, linguistics, and anthropology. His research has greatly enriched our understanding of East African societies and cultures.