Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

2012 E.C (2019/20) Academic year

History Handout for Grade 9 Students

Unit Six

The Christian Kingdom and Peoples and States in the Rest of the Ethiopian Region

(1543-1855)

6.1. Catholicism and the Christian Kingdom

 The Portuguese soldiers, who helped the Christian kingdom to gain victory over the Adal
Muslim Sultanate, remained in Ethiopia.
 Other Portuguese Catholic missionaries who know under the name Jesuits or the Society
of Jesus came to preach Catholicism in Ethiopia in 1557.
 The aim of the Jesuits was to convert the people into Catholicism.
 As a preliminary to this, they strove to convert the Christian kings into Catholicism.
 It was at first emperor Gelawdewos whom the Jesuits tried to convert but they failed to
do so due to the emperor’s unwillingness.
 Nevertheless, they were successful in getting the conversion of king Susenyos (1607-
1632) in 1612.
 King Susenyos embraced Catholicism with the hope of gaining military support from
Portugal in return for his conversion.
 The declaration of Catholicism as the official state religion in 1622 triggered a
widespread opposition among the peasantry, the nobility and the Orthodox clergy.
 The king at first was able to suppress the revolts and some major changes began to
introduce in the Orthodox Church practices.
 The peasants, the nobility and the Orthodox clergy made an alliance against the Catholics
so as to save their orthodox faith.

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  As a result, a bloody civil war that perished about eight thousand peasant’s brokeout
between the Catholics lead by the king and the coalitional force of the peasants, the
nobility and the Orthodox clergy.
 The civil war became so catastrophic that the king decided to abdicate his throne in favor
of his son Fasiladas or Fasil (1632-1667) in order to avert further bloodshed.
 Shortly after he came to power, Fassilades restored the Orthodox faith and expelled the
Jesuits from Ethiopia.
 He went on to the extent of pursuing a policy that restricted Europeans entry into
Ethiopia.
 However, Fasilades established a friendly relationship with adjoining Muslim states like
Swakin and Yemen.

6.2. The Gondar Period

 The Gonder period is a period in Ethiopian history in which the rulers of Ethiopia ruled
their kingdom from a capital called Gondar.
 Emperor Fasiladas was credited for founding Gondar in 1636.
 Gondar had a strategic importance as it was found on the long distance trade route that
linked the southwestern regions with Massawa on the Red sea and Mettema on the Ethio-
Sudanese border.
 The founding of Gondar as a permanent capital marked the termination of mobile
capitals.

 Gondar was a capital which well known for its architectural achievements and building
technology.
 There had been kings in Gondar who built very beautiful castles as palaces in different
times.
 Gondar was also a city where churches, bridges, traditional schools and swimming pools
were found.
 The golden age of Gondar was witnessed during the reigns of king Fasiladas (1632-
1667), king Yohannis I (1667-1682) and king Iyasu I (1682-1706).

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  Although it is not identically the same with that of modern urban centers, Gondar had
certain characteristics of urban areas.
 Gondar was inhabited by about 70,000 people.
 Gondar had a heterogeneous population.
 It also served as a market center for merchants, crafts and rural people who came up with
their respective products.
 The merchants who frequently visited Gondar were Ethiopian Muslims called Jeberti.
 There were also the Bete Israel (Felasha) who engaged in craft works such as masonry,
pottery, basketry and iron works.
 The residence place of the Muslim communities in Gondar was known as Addis Alem.
 The Felasha and other foreign communities had also their own separate living qurters in
Gondar.
 Laborers in Gondar received cash payments.

 There were several factors that attributed to the decline in importance of Gondar.
 There was political instability and social riots in the city.
 The last years of Gondar was characterized by the poisoning and assassinating of kings
and princes.
 Owing to their military incapability, the kings could not bring stability in Gondar.
 The rise of regional warlords and their pressure on the kings in Gondar led to the decline
in importance of the city.

Etege Mentewab

- Mentewab was born in Quara and as a wife of king Bakafa (1721-30) she became
powerful towards the end of the Gondarian period.
- She got the opportunity to participate in the Gondarian politics when her husband died
and became a regent for her son Iyasu II (1720-55).
- She ruled Ethiopia with the cover of regent for more than forty years.
- The assistance she received from her brother, Welde Leul, led her to give him the then
powerful title of Ras Bitweded.

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 - Mentewab’s political importance was declined with the came into the science of a
powerful lord of Tigray known as Ras Michael Sehul.

6.3. The Zemene Mesafint or the Era of Warlords or Princes (1769-1855)

 On the eve of the advent of the Zemen Mesafint, there was an intense power struggle
between the Wollo Oromo and Quara parties from 1767 until 1769.
 The Wallo faction was led by the wife of king Iyasu II and mother of Iyoas (son and
successor of Iyasu II and was ruled from 1755-1769), Wabi (in some books she is also
called Wubit).
 The Quara group was spearheaded by Etege Mentewab, mother in law of Wabi (Wubit)
and grandmother of Iyoas
 The death of Ras Bitweded Welde Leul (brother of Itege Mentewab) in 1769 blow the
starting whistle of the power struggle between these two groups.
 It was Mentewab who arranged the marriage between Wabi (Wubit) and her son, Iyasu II
so as to gain the military support of the Wollow Oromo.
 The increase of the power of the Wollo Oromo in the Gondarian politics, however,
threatened the power of Mentewab and she began to look another strong ally.
 Mentewab then resorted to the then powerful governor of Tigrai, Ras Michael Sehul who
had a well-equipped and strong army.
 Mentewab persuaded Michael Sehul to come to Gondar and to pacify oppositions that
endangered here role in the Gondarian politics.
 Ras Michael shell came up with his strong army and suppressed all oppositions.
 The prestigious title of Ras Bitwaddad was given to Michael Sehul but he wanted more
than that.
 In the meantime, Michael Sehul got Iyoas killed in 1769 and this enabled him to exercise
really power on behalf of the late king.
 Michael Sehul appeared to become a king maker (enthroned and dethroned kings) since
1769 and this event heralded the beginning in Ethiopian history of the Zemene Mesafint
which covered the period from 1769 until 1855.

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  Later in 1771 at the battle of Sabrakussa, Michael Sehul suffered a defeat by the
coalitional force of Wollo and Quara.

 The departion of Michael Sehul was followed by political instability but the ascendancy
to power of a Yejju Oromo known as Ali Gwangul (Ali I) and his founding of a new
ruling dynasty called the Yejju or the Warra Sheh dynasty, brought stability.
 The Yejju dynasty was able to exercise power on behalf of the puppet kings from 1786 to
1853.
 The rulers of Gojjam, Tigria and Semein accepted the suzerainty of the Yejju lords.

 The powerful lord among the Yejju rulers was Ras Gugsa (r.1803-1825).
 Gugsa was able to overcome the challenges he encountered from Tigray. Semein and
Gojjam by diplomatic and military means.
 There was relative peace and stability during Gugsa’s rule.
 He was died in 1825.

 The death of Gugsa brought about political instability and power struggle.
 The ruler of Semien, Dejazmatch Haile Mariam, fought against Ras Yimam (1825-
1828), son and successor of Ras Gugsa, but was defeated in 1826.
 Ras Yimam met his death in 1828 and succeeded by his brother Ras Marye.

 Following his brother victory over Dejazmach Goshu of Gojjam and Dejazmach
Maru of Fenja at the battle of Kosso Ber in October 1827, Marye decided to put an end
to the Tigrean threat.
 Ras Marye of the Yejju dynasty and Sebagadis (1822-1831) of Tigray fought against
each other at the battle of Mai Isma, (May Aslamay), near Debra Abbai in the beginning
of 1831.
 The victory went to Ras Marye but he was killed during the battle.
 Soon after this victory, Sebagadis was also notoriously executed in retaliation for the
death of Marye.
 At this military engagement, Wube who succeeded Haile Mariam of Semein, fought on
the side of Ras Marye.

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  The Yejju lords were able to be dominant until Dejazmach Kassa Hailu, the future
Tewodros II, defeated the last lord of the Yejju dynasty, Ras Ali Alula (Ali II) at the
battle of Ayeshal in 1853.
 The successive Yejju rulers names and their period of rule listed hereunder:-
1. Ras Ali Gwangul (Ali I) (r.1786-1788)
2. Ras Aligaz (r.1788-1803)
3. Ras Gugsa (r.1803-1825)
4. Ras Yimam (r.1825-1828)
5. Ras Marye (r.1828-1831)
6. Ras Ali Alula (Ali II), (r.1831-1853)
 There were several factors that instigated the warlords of the Zemene mesafint to wage
war against each other.
 The competition to assume the powerful title of Ras Bitweded and then to become king
maker.
 The need for large human and material resources.
 The attractive tribute that could be gain for exercising power on behalf of the weak kings.

 The Zemene Mesafint was also witnessed religious controversy within the Orthodox
Church.
 There were different doctrines such as Tsega Lij or Sost Lidet, Wold Qib or Karra
Haymanot and Hulet Lidet or Qibat.
 The doctrine of Sost Lidet was professed in Shewa, whereas, the theories of Karra
Hymanot, and Hulet Lidet were advocated in Tigray and Gojjam respectively.
 The doctrinal controversy had a paramount significance in the weakening of the
Ethiopian state during the Zemene Mesafint.

 The consequences of the Zemene Mesafint

 The wars of the Zemene Mesafint had a direct impact on the local peasantry in that it
forced them to feed the big armies of the warlords.
 There was a sharp decline in trade during the Zemene Mesafint due to the insecurity of
the trade routes.

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 6.4. Peoples and states in the Southern, Western, Central and Eastern

Ethiopian Region

6.4.1. Southern States

 Kaffa
 As we have seen in unit three, kaffa was one of the polities that emerged in the southern
part of Ethiopia.
 Kaffa was able to defend itself from the Oromo expansion and movement of the 16th
century.
 The ruling dynasty of Kaffa was called the Minjo dynasty.
 The kingdom of Kaffa became powerful and well known in the Ethiopian region in the
17th century.
 The kings of Kaffa had a title known as Tato.
 The introduction of Christianity into Kaffa was attributed to the influence of the
neighboring state of Enareya
 Although Christianity introduced into Kaffa, it was confined to the royal family and the
majority of the people perpetuated the practice of traditional religions.
 Kaffa had a council of advisors called Mikrecho who responsible for consulting the king,
involved in the administration and the maintenance of law and order in the kingdom.
 The kingdom of Kaffa’s economy was heavily depended on agriculture and trade.
 Kaffa was a resourceful kingdom that contributed trading items such as ivory, mask,
honey, coffee, slaves and gold to the Ethiopian trade.
 The independent status of Kaffa came to an end in 1897 whene emperor Menelik II
incorporated the state into the Ethiopian empire.

Wolayta

 Walayta was a kingdom that appeared in the southern part of Ethiopia.

 The kingdom of Walayta had continued to be tributary state to the Christian Kingdom
until probably the outbreak of the wars of Ahmed Gragn.

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  Like the kingdom of Kaffa, Walayta was able to secure its kingdom from the Oromo
advance.
 Walayta was successful in exerting massive influence on the Omotic and Cushitic
peoples of the south.
 The title of the kings of Walayta was known as Kawo.
 The main economic activity of the kingdom of Walayta was agriculture.
 The kingdom of Walayta’s products comprises Ensat(false banana), wheat, maize, barely,
coffee, tobacco and cotton.
 The force of the last king of Walayta, Kawo Tona fought a disastrous war against
emperor Menelik’s army and suffered a defeat in 1894.
 After its defeat, Walayta became part of the Ethiopian empire under emperor Menelik II.

 There were also other states that flourished in southern Ethiopia, namenly, Yem, Dawro,
Konta, Gamo, Gota and Hadiya.

The Gibe Oromo States

 There were five small Oromo states that emerged in the Gibe region, namely, Lemmu-
Enareya, Jimma, Gumma, Gomma and Gera.
 The Gibe River was the birth place of these small Oromo states.
 The early state that emerged in the Gibe region was the state of Limmu Enarya.
 The state of Limmu Gnarya appeared in an area where the former kingdom of Enarya had
been existed.
 The state was located in a strategic position and thereby it was able to possess the long
distance trade.
 The center or capital of the state of Limmu Emarya was known as Saqa.
 The formative years of Limmu Enarya was witnessed in the first half of the 19th c.
 Abba Bagibo or Ibsa (r.1825-1861) was an outstanding ruler or Limmu Enarya.

 Another powerful Oromo state that had appeared on the Giber River was the state of
Jimma.

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  Jimma was so powerful during its ruler Sanna or Aba Jifar I (r.1830-1855) that it
became well known.
 The state of Jimma’s power was emanated from the unity Islam gave to it and the income
it acquired from the coffee and slave trade.
 Jimma was one of those states who peacefully submitted to the overlordship of emperor
Menelik II in 1881.
 Although Jimma incorporated into Menelik’s empire, it continued to enjoy internal
autonomy.

 Among the other Gibe Oromo states the state of Gumma can be mentioned.
 It was believed that the state of Gumma was founded in the first decade of the 19th c.
 The state of Gumma became political vital when its powerful ruler Oncho Jilcha came to
power.
 Gumma was able to score victories after victories during its war against neighboring
states.

 The state of Gomma was a state that emerged on the Gibe River.
 Gomma was believed to be well known since 1820.
 The state of Gomma had a powerful ruler known as Abba Mano.
 Gomma was the first among the Gibe Oromo states to embrace Islam.

 Finally, we have the Gibe Oromo state of Gera which became popular since around 1835.
 The powerful ruler of Gera was called Tullu Gunji.
 Tullu Gunji was known for his military and administrative skills.
 The state of Gera had engaged in war against Jimma.

Western States

 There were two Oromo states that flourished in the Wallaga region. They were Leqa
Naqamte and Leqa Qellem.

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  Leqa Naqamte
 The state of Lega Naqame was a state founded by an Oromo chief known as Bakare
Godana
 Bakare was succeeded by Moroda and Kumsa respectively.

 Leqa Qellem
 Lega Qellem was believed to have formed by a Qellem chief called Tullu.
 The son and successor of Tulu, Jote was able to make the state of Lega Qellem powerful
 The cores of the state of Lega Qellem economy were agriculture and trade.

 The Muslim states of Aqoldi (Asosa), Benishangul and Khomosha were among the
states that established on the Ethio- Sudanese Border.

Eastern States

 Harar
 Harar had been center of Islamic studies and the sultanate of Adal for more than two
centuries.
 The Harari dynasty played a pivotal role in the formation of the emirate (state) of Harar.
 Emir Ali Ibn Dawd (r.1647-1662) was the ruler of Harar who founded the Harari
dynasty.
 As in the past, Harar continued to be the center of Islamic culture and political power.
 The emirate of Harar was prospered by the trade routes of the Gulf of Aden and the
coastal areas of the Indian Ocean.
 Harar put under the yoke of Egyptian occupation from 1875 until 1885.
 Although the former Harari dynasty restored to the Harar throne after the Egyptian
evacuation in 1885, it was defeated and Harar was added to the Ethiopian empire by
emperor Menelik II in 1887.

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  Awsa
 Another Muslim Sultanate that established in the eastern part of Ethiopian was the state
of Awsa.
 The Muslim Sultanate of Awsa was ruled by the Walasma dynasty which formed by
Adal.
 The Oromo expansion and movement drove the Adal rulers out of Harar in 1577 and they
placed in Awasa where they continued their rule.
 The Walasma rulers at first were strong enough to control Harar from Awsa but with the
establishment of a new local dynasty by Emir Ali Ibn Dawd, the walasma lost control
over Harar.
 The kings of Awasa were known under the title Sultan.

Central State

 The Shewan Kingdom

- Shewa was a kingdom that founded in the central highlands of Ethiopia.
- It had been part and center of the Christian kingdom.
- Shewa was able to isolate itself from the Christian kingdom.
- The kingdom of Shewa was founded by a local chief known as Negasi Kristos in a place
called Menz in the 17th c or early 18th c.
- Shewa was neutral during the wars of the Zemene Mesafint and thereby it had the chance
to build its kingdom.
- The Shewan kings used to have capitals such as Ankober and Doqaqit.
- During its gifted leader, Sahle Selassie (r.1813-1847), Shewa was able to expand its
territory into several regions of Ethiopia.
- Shewa was so stable that it attracted foreign countries such as Britain and France to start
diplomatic relations with it.

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