ASMA GIYORGIS AND HIS WORK

HI STORY OF THE GÄLLÄ AND THE KINGDOM OF SAWÄ

EDITED BY

BAIRU TAFLA

FRANZ STEINER VERLAG WIESBADEN GMBH

STUTTGART 1987 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Table of Contents " 7 Geleitwort des Herausgebers 15 Preface 17 Key to Abbreviations 19 Introductory Remarks 47 A. The Oromo in History 47 B. The Author and His Work 53 C. Some Remarks on the Translation 70 D. Key to the Dates in the Text 73

PART I

Introduction 79

1. Scope of the work - The problems of recörding history^n. - Wayzaro

Agäyä's book - A legendary origin of the Galla T An examination of the legend - Ase Lehna Dengel and Rägu'el's prophecy - A commentary on the prophecy 79

2. A criticism against the Ethiopian clergy - The age of exploration and discovery - The origin of tobacco - Further criticism against the clergy - The increase of Muslim power in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries - A censure of the Ethiopian clergy 103

3. History and law - Natural law and the institution of Rako - Failure of the Ethiopian clergy to christianize the Galla - Confiscation of the Galla lands - The Galla observe nine of the Ten Commandments - The institution of the Gada - Segmentation and abolition of the Caffe - Spread of Islam among the Galla 119

Chapters: 1. First settlement of the Galla in Bäle - Thetwo branches of the Galla - The early migrations of the Galla - The accounts of Abbä Bährey - The outbreak of the Gällä-Amärä war - The first five Lubä - The campaign of Ase Galäwdewos against the Galla - The victory of Amir Nur and the death of Ase Galäwdewos - The devastation of by the Christians and the Galla - The spread of the Akkeccu in and around Harar - Age cycle and circumcision among the Gällä 137

2. Devastation of the central highlands by the Gällä - Various rebellions and invasions in the sixteenth Century - Origins of the Gällä, Oromo and Sidämä appellations - The second five Lubä and the campaigns of Ase - The devastation of Goggäm, Dämot and Bagemeder by the Gällä - An attempt at Gällä-Amärä reconciliation - Defeat of the Gällä in Dämot - Return of Susenyos from captivity - Early Gällä-Amärä integration - Military initiatives of Mu'altä - Gällä expansion beyond Leqä hampered by forests - The Anfillo

7 - A new generation must conquer a new territory - Extermination of the Weren- tesä - The position of the sovereigns in battle - Traditional military awards - Cambering the shield, a Galla contribution - Education and the writing of history under Sarsa Dengel - An inquiry into the military strength of the Galla and the Amärä - War with the Türks and the bravery of Yonä'el 149

3. The Caffe, the Abbä mudä and the Gelä - The Qiltu and the Asäd - Susenyos in captivity - Origin of royal titles - Death of Ase Sarsa Dengel»- Flight of Susenyos to the Galla - Enthronement of Ase Yä'eqob 179

4. Return of Susenyos and his second flight to the Galla - Susenyos raises an army and begins to plunder - His itineraries in Sawä -Xonquering the Galla and other peoples to the south of the Abbäy - The Cawä regiments and the origin of the Amärä - The theory of the Gaulish origin of the Galla - The cryptic nature of Amärenä - The origin of the Guräge - An abortive expedition of Susenyos to Goggäm 189

4.(sic) The military campaigns of Susenyos in Guräge and Hadiyä - History of the Hadiyä and Dämot empire - A criticism against the Coptic metropolitans and the Ethiopian clergy - The legend of the serpent ruler - The journey of the Queen of Säbä to Jerusalem - Comments on Gabaza Aksum - Ancient temples - Käleb, Abreha and Arabia Mahammad, the prophet - A legend about the Coming of Selläta Muse - The Gällä adopting the cult of the Zär from the Christians - The in Zängero and the ceremony of coronation - The Cawä regiments 211

5. Military campaigns of Susenyos in Guräge - The meanings of Qäs and related terms - Further itineraries of Susenyos in Sawä - The historical significance of Mount Belat - Settlement of the Telomä in Belat - Susenyos devastates Amärä with a Gällä army - The captivity of Färes - Appointment of Yolyos over Marhabete - Military campaigns of Susenyos in Ennäryä - Military campaigns of Susenyos in Ennamor - Susenyos settles the Tulomä between Dabra Libänos and Magazaz - Origin of the Argobbä ^ The early inhabitants of Ethiopia - Ennäryä, Gäfat and the Faläsä - Yohannes Madaber - Gadla Aragäwi and the chronology of the Ethiopian rulers - The establishment of Christianity in Ethiopia - Unvocalized inscriptions of Ethiopia - The trilingual inscription of Ezänä - Overthrow of Yä'eqob and the enthronement of Zadengel - The repeated devastation of Goggäm by Susenyos . . : 239

6. Victory of Zadengel over Susenyos - Zadengel killed by the Qurbän - A letter of Susenyos to Räs Atnätewos - Coronation of Susenyos in Goggäm - The Gällä grouped by Susenyos into regiments - Letters exchanged between Susenyos and Zaselläse 275

7. Devastation of Bagemeder by the Gällä army of Susenyos - Return of Yä'eqob from exile - Military campaigns of Susenyos in Sawä - Susenyos delimits the territory of the Karrayu and settles the Wallo in Beta Amärä - Defeat of Zaselläse - Defeat of Ase Yä'eqob - Settlement of the Marawä in - Letters exchanged between the Qurbän-Aqetzer regiments and Susenyos - The tradition of writing letters in Amärenä - Death of Ase Yä'eqob - The meaning of Qurbän and Aqetzer - A royal genealogy 285

8. The Gällä realize that Susenyos is a Christian king - Defeat of the Liban and 9

8 the Digälo in Goggäm - Harro Wuläbu, the nucleus of the Galla - A pretender in Tegre - Defeat of Susenyos by the Marawä in Bagemeder - Revenge of Susenyos on the Marawä - The seven victories of Susenyos - The immoralities of war culture - The formal coronation of Susenyos 307

9. The troublesomeness of the Waranasä - Attack by Susenyos - Reconciliations - Settlement of the Waranasä in Ganz - Susenyos subjugates Acafar and Agaw - Settling various Galla gro.ups in Acafar and Kurbäha - Contributions of the Jesuits - The military campaigns of Räs Yamäna Krestos against the Tulomä - An uprising of the Faläsä - An expedition of Räs Se'ela Krestos and Goggäm nagäs Keflo against Bizämo and Walal - The Gällä threaten the kingdom - An expedition of Räs Se'ela Krestos against the Ittu - Retirement of the Ittu and the Waranasä to Carcar and Fatagär - An expedition of Susenyos against Senaar - A plot against his life - Contributions of the Jesuits - Defeat of the plotters - The clergy being obscurantists - The traditional procedures of administering justice 323

10. A conflict between the Boran and the Yahabatä - An attack on the Calleha Abbo - An attack on the Abbo and the Akäko - Resettlement of the Yahabatä in Goggäm - The Wito - The Meccä invade Bizämo and Goggäm - The defeat of the Meccä in Goggäm - Devastation of Goggäm by the Tulomä - The tradition of feeding the army by plunder - The foundation of . 345

11. The Gelle and the Marawä invade Amärä - The defeat of the invading Gällä in Bagemeder - The laws of marriage among the Gällä - Mutilation of the Gällä - Retreat of the Gällä - The beginning of the Qeb'at faith - A rebellion in Ennäryä - A great drought in Ethiopia and the beginning of the Meteccä - Criticism against the Ethiopian clergy 365

12. The military campaigns of Susenyos in Angot - The Meccä attack western Goggäm and Agaw Meder - Defeat of the Meccä and the christianization of the Agaw - The Qemänt, the Agaw and the Faläsä - Wars with the Faläsä - Various regiments celebrating the Sabbath in Goggäm 381

13. Resettlement of the Yahabatä in Darha and Weddo - An attack on the Amest Bet Gällä - An attack on the Saddaccä or Wallo - A pretender in Sawä Retreat of the Gällä to Sawä and Harar -Death of Susenyos and enthronement of Fäsiladas - Criticism against the Ethiopian clergy - Expulsion of the Jesuits and persecution of the Catholics - Campaigns of Fäsiladas against the Gällä - The reign of - The execution of two foreign Catholic monks ...... 395

14. Expeditions of Iyäsu I against Wallo and Darrä - The Yahabatä and the Qäla Gandä - The first and the second expeditions of Iyäsu to Sawä - An expedition of Iyäsu against the Guderu - Campaigns of Iyäsu in Meccä and the Gibe region - Retirement and death of Iyäsu - The reign of Takla Haymänot the Accursed - The reign of Ase - The rebellion of Tege - The Gällä burn Atronsa Märyäm - The reigns of and Däwit III - The reigns of Bakäfa and Iyäsu II - The Gällä of Goggäm save Iyäsu II - The age of mockery and the integration of the Gällä - The institutions * of Moggäsä and Kollu - Doctrinal conflicts - The secession of Sawä - Power struggle in Gondar - Political ascent of the Gällä ; 411

15^The rule of Räs Ali and Aligäz - Destruction of the Amärä princes - Räs Gugsä and his successors - Death of Sab'agädis - Influence of the Gällä -

9 The rule of Ali II - Defeat of Dagäzmäc Webe - The age of corruption - The rebellion of Dagäzmäc Käsä- Defeat of Etege Manan and Dagäzmäc Gossu - A genealogy of the Goggäm princes - Rebellions of the Goggäm princes - Defeat and flight of Ras Ali - Captivity of Berru Gossu - Captivity of Dagäzmäc Webe and coronation of Tewodros II - A religious proclamation - The fall of the and the rule of the Galla - Campaigns of Tewodros in Wallo - A traditional manner of fighting - The reign of-Ase Takla Giyorgis II - The reign of Ase Yohannes IV - The reign of Ase Menilek II. 437

17. (sie) Two emperors campaigned hardest against the Gällä - Social weakness of the Christian kingdom - A military social strueture of the Gällä - A list of the Ethiopian emperors - A list of the various Lubä - The assistance of the Portuguese - Expulsion and curse of Bermudez - The invasion of the Gällä as a punishment - The systematic rule of Menilek II over the Gällä - The genealogy of Räs Gobanä - The genealogy of Dabtarä Dastä of Galän 461

PART II

1. Why Gondar preceded Sawä in the narrative - Prevalence of Sawä over the Gällä - Destruction of the Abati - Flight of Susenyos - Devastation of Sawä by the Karrayu and dissension of Sawä - The clergy criticized - A message of Iyäsu I to Sawä - Iyäsu's first visit to Sawä - A piece of Qene of Zamikä'el - Submission of the Karrayu and the Waläsmä - Appointment of Nagäsi - The foundation of Ayne 489

2. The Bartumä branch of the Gällä - Nagäsi's campaigns against the Karrayu - Confiscation of Gällä lands - Death of Nagäsi - Accession of Abbeyye and his campaigns against the Karrayu - Expansion of Sawä under Abbeyye - Amärä captives and Faläsä emigrants civilized Sawä - Expansion of Sawä under Ammeha Iyasus 501

3. The Boranä branch of the Gällä - The campaigns of Ammeha Iyasus against the Boran - Gome Gossu and the slaughter of the Gällä - Submission of the Abeccu, Galän, Wäyyu and Gerru 515

4. Accession of Asfä Wasan and the sagacity of his contemporaries - Complete subjugation of the Abeccu - Defeat of Ase Takla Giyorgis by the Marawä - Death of Asfä Wasan and the accession of Wasan Saggad - Campaigns of Wasan Saggad against the Gällä - Reconstruction of churches - Wasan Saggad's entitlement as Räs - Foundation of Qundi - The methods of Gällä and Amärä expeditions- Death of Wasan Saggad - Insurrections of the Gällä - Enthronement of Sähla Seiläse 521

5. Training of the youth for campaigns - Fortification of Angolalä, Carqos, etc. - Annual expeditions of Sähla Seiläse - His attack on Hadiyä and Guräge - The seven years' war of the Galän and the Abeccu - Relations of Sähla Seiläse with the Tulomä - The rebellions of Matakko - The problems of Galale - Religious disputes - Death of Matakko and the appointment of Marac - Last proclamation of Sähla Seiläse and his death 533

6. Accession of Hayla Malakot and the msurrections of the Gällä - Campaigns against the Gällä - Hayla Malakot frees Räs Ali - The prevalence of Tewodros II - Alliance of Warqitu and Hayla Malakot - Dissensions in the court of Sawä -

10 Reasons for the forced march of Tewodros on Sawä - Illness and proclamation of Hayla Malakot - A battle with the Galla - Proclamation of Tewodros at Ankobar - Submission of Menilek - Appointment of Mared azmäc Hayle - Qaccen Abubakkar and the burning of Dabra Libänos - Legendary origin of the Awra'i - Destruction of Dabra Libänos by Tewodros II - The peoples of Qwärä - Tewodros respects the Qemänt - Tewodros destroys vineyards - Conflicts of Tewodros with the people - Death of Liqa kähnät Dämtaw - Return of Tewodros via Goggäm

7. Civil strifes in Sawä - Imprisonment of Hayle - The rule of proxies - Second expedition of Tewodros to Sawä - The battle of Ankobar - The death of Ato Sayfu - The third campaign of Tewodros in Sawä - Two anecdotes about the Gällä-Amärä relations - Tewodros summons the people of Sawä -The rebellion of Bazzäbeh and Gobanä - Escape of Menilek from Maqdalä - Defeat of Bazzäbeh

8. A history of Menilek and the Gällä - Coronation of Menilek - Submissions of the Gällä and the Adäl - Execution of Bazzäbeh - Fugitive soldiers resettled - Hunting expedition of Menilek - Menilek's march towards Maqdalä - His retreat and the fortification of Feqre Gemb - The coming of Abuna Mäsyäs and other missionaries - Gobanä dispatched to Maqdalä - The English expedition to Maqdalä - Release of the prisoners - Death of Tewodros - Departure of the English

9. History of the Wallo and of Ase Menilek - Only Menilek ruled the Gällä effectively - The Coming of the Portuguese - The defeat of Grän - The curse of Yohannes Bermudez-The Argobbä and the Gällä-A battle between Mähfud and Lebna Dengel - The first five Lubä - The Bartumä branch of the Gällä - Origin of Ambässal - Assimilation of the Gällä in Wallo - Prevalence of the Yaggu Gällä over the Yekunno Amläk dynasty - Assimilation of the Boranä in Goggäm - Accession of Räs Gugsä - The rule of Gogi - Connubial policy of Räs Gugsä - An anecdote about Gällä-Amärä assimilation - The rule of Räs Yemäm - The rule of Räs Märeyye and the battle of Faras Mäy - The rule of Räs Ali II - The battle between Räs Ali and Dagäzmäc Webe - Defeat of Ali by Käsä and the end of the Gällä dynasty

10. History of Wallo and of Ase Menilek - The campaign against Wayzaro Mastayät - The foundation of Warraylu - The manner of demarcating estates and the divisions of Wallo - Imprisonment of Wätaw - An attack on the Abbu - Appointment of Abbä Wätaw over Wallo and his desertion - His reconciliation with Menilek - Devastation of Wallo - Desertion of Räs Walda Märyäm and Alaqä Berru - An expedition of Ase Yohannes IV to Bagemeder and Goggäm - Tension between Menilek and Yohannes - Extermination of the Türks in Awsä and Tegre - Death of Räs Walda Märyäm - Imam Mahammad Ali prevails over Wallo - Desertion of Masasä Sayfu - Menilek's campaign in Caha - Imprisonment of Masasä Sayfu - Menilek contracts malaria - Menilek's expedition to Begemeder - Menilek being deserted everywhere - The capture of Mared azmäc Hayle - The battle of Tämo - Menilek's expedition against Wallo and Temmugä - The invincibility of Masasä Sayfu

11. The role of the clergy in the relations between Menilek, Masasä and Yohannes - Menilek's expedition to Wallo and the reappointment of Abbä Wäto - Menilek's intrigues against Yohannes - Submission of Masasä by reconciliation - Yohannes' expedition to Sawä - The agreement between Menilek and Yohannes - Excursions of Yohannes in Sawä and the Galla areas - Change of Menilek's Status to Negus - Menilek's surrender of the title of Ase - Beginning of the persecution of the foreign missionaries - The religious Council of Feyyal Ambä - The early synods and why the Ethopian church rejects Calcedon - Christianization of the Wallo Galla by a royal decree - Suppression of the Qeb'at Faith in Goggäm - Forced christianization of the Galla and the Argobbä - The manner of baptizing among the Habasä :!

12. Coronation of Negus Menilek - A Qene piece of Dabra Libänos - Allegiance to Hulat ledat through an oath - The Catholic kings of Ethiopia - An attack on Temmugä - Menilek's expedition to Adäl - Menilek's tribute to Yohannes - Devastation of Warra Bäbbu -"Menilek's expedition to Zwäy - An attack on Temmugä - Coronation ,of Negus Takla Haymänot - Menilek provisions Yohannes' army at Dase - The fall of the Bartumä

13. A history of the Meccä - Differences between the Meccä and the Tulomä - Genealogy of the Meccä - Tullu Walal and Harro Wuläbu - The expedition of Fäsil against the Boran - The prophecy of Qes Warab - Räs Gobanä crossing the Gibe - The kingdom of Limmu - The kingdom of Gumä - The kingdom of Gomä - The kingdom of Gerä - The kingdom of Gemmä - The State of Leqä - The Alangä of Sabät et Guderu - The Alangä of Nunnu - The Alangä of Horro - The Alangä of Amuru

14. An army load of wood for Dabra Libänos - Expedition of Räs Gobanä to Kala - Confrontation with Räs Daraso - Menilek's humiliation by the Arusi - A letter from Räs Gobanä - A message of Takla Haymänot to Räs Daraso - Menilek's march on Guderu - An agreement between Daraso and Menilek - Devastation of Horro - Takla Haymänot's message to Menilek - Menilek's reply - The Battie of Embäbo - Messages of Yohannes and the bishops to Menilek - The reply of Menilek - The march of Yohannes IV on Warraylu - Release of Masasä Sayfu from prison - Menilek's reconciliation with Yohannes IV - Menilek and Takla Haymänot punished - The wedding of Aräyä Seiläse and Zawditu - Takla Haymänot reinstated - The Coming of Abuna Mätewos to Sawä - Menilek marries Jäytu - Menilek's expedition to Ittu - A visit of Aräyä Seiläse and Zawditu to Entotto - Reconstruction of Entotto - Menilek's unsuccessful expedition against Arusi - Yohannes' fear of the English delegation of 1884 - Gobanä devastates a part of Wallo - A proclamation against slave trade released - Insurrections of the Muslims - Devastation of Wallo - Menilek's campaigns in Seite and Märaqo - Appointments of Amärä officials over the Gällä - Insurrections of the Meccä - Gobanä's expedition to Sänqellä - The oppression of Wallo - Menilek's rieh tribute to Yohannes IV - Yohannes and Menilek jointly devastate Wallo - Appointments of Dagäzmäc Walda Gabre'el over Ittu and Räs Därge over Arusi

15. History of Arusi - The Arusi and the Ittu being treacherous - Menilek's expedition to Arusi - His campaigns - The stronghold of Azule - The return . of Menilek - Campaigns of Räs Därge in Arusi - The subjugation of the Arusi - The expedition of Dagäzmäc Asfäw Därge to Bäle and Somäle - Subjugation of the Ittu - Ethnic divisions of the Ittu - Walda Gabi e'el's march towards Harar - Desertion of his army - Quick reaction of Jäytu - Menilek's expedition to Harar - The battle of Calanqo - Appoinlment of Makwannen over Harar -

12 Foundation of Addis Ababä - Appointments of Amärä over the Galla - The army being billeted on the Galla - Yohannes' demand for the weapons of Harar - The role of France, Italy and the Dervishes in the relations between Yohannes and Menilek - Inauguration of Entotto Märyäm Church Yohannes' march against the Italians - Menilek's expedition to Bagemeder - Defeat of Takla Haymänot by tbe Dervishes - Devastation of Gondar The plot of Menilek and Takla Haymänot against .Yohannes - Death of Räs Aräyä §elläse Devastation of Goggäm 761 16. History of Ase Yohannes and Ase Menilek and an exposition of the complete destruction of the Galla - Death of Asfaw Wasan Menilek - Insurrection of the Muslims of Ethiopia - Gobanä's march against the Dervishes in Wallaggä - Menilek's proposal for reconciliation with Yohannes Mobilization of Sawä - The campaigns of Gobanä in Caha and Qabenä - The battle of Matammä and the death of Yohannes IV Menilek proclaimed the King of Kings - Devastation of Qabenä, Caha and Seite - Sudden death of Gobanä - The outbreak of rinderpest - Origin of the pest - The fantastic preachings of the clergy - A commentary on the preachings 793 17. The coronation of Ase Menilek, the extermination of the people of Ethiopia through cholera and the subjugation of Walämo - Letters to and from the European sovereigns - Bestowing honorific titles - The coronation ceremony at Entotto - The appointment of Seyyum over Tegre - Menilek's expedition to Tegre Submission of Räs Mangasä and his appointment Devastation of Tegre - Extermination of the army through epidemic - Submission of Negus Takla Haymänot - Rebellion of Dagäzmäc Balaw Takla Haymänot - Extermination of the poor at Entotto - Emigration of the Amärä and Tegre to the Gällä lands - Friendship between Menilek and Umberto - The role of Antonelli - Treaty of friendship and commerce with Italy - A scribe criticizes article 17 of the treaty - The critic punished - Menilek's loan from Italy - Trade monopoly - Abrogation of the treaty - The battle of Adwä - The establishment of legations in Addis Ababä 813 18. History of Hararge - The Coming of the Gällä and the uprisings of the Muslims - The expedition of Räs Fäsil to Hararge - The expedition of Abetohun Hamalmäl to Hararge - Death of Amir Nur - Invasion of the Gällä, and Adare being walled The amirs of Hararge - Turkish occupation of Hararge - The Gällä who paid tribute to the Türks - The Gällä who refused Turkish rule 849 Appendix: Proper names and technical terms occurring in the text 869 A picture of Ato Asma Giyorgis 1000 A facsimüe of the author's diploma from the French Academy 1001 General Index 1003

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