1 Original Research Article 2
th 3 The Oromo Expulsion from Finfinne Area and the Emergence of Safarsfrom late 19 to 1974
4
5
6 Abstract
7 The main purpose of this study was to reveal the expulsion of the Oromo from their hereditary land and their possession by
8 Menilek in the late 19th century. In this study the researcher attempted to employ both primary and secondary sources.
9 Secondary data sources were collected through a brief review of related letratures in assessing published and unpublished
10 archival materials.Primary data sources were collected through oral interview based on focused group and questionnaire.
11 These data were carefully analysed and critically interpreted qualitatively according to the standard rules and desciplines of
12 social sciences. Even though some earlier attempts have been made to write the history of Finfinne, many areas of the Safars
13 have received very minimal attention. Therefore, this article is an attempt to fill the gap that have been created by other
14 written materials so far contributed something enreaching the sudy of the history of the foundation of safars in Finfinne. The
15 researcher also tried to narrate the history of the the foundation of different Safar from the beginnings untilthe 1974. Hence,
16 the study deals with the history of the transformation of Finfinne to Addis Ababa, the expulsion of the Oromo from Finfinne
17 area and the emergence of different Safars. In this study, the socio-economic and political conditions of Finfinne Oromo and
18 the surrounding are explored. After the expulsion of the Oromo from Finfinne area, the settlement of different ethnic groups in
19 Finfinne areas were also discussed. Certainly this study is far from being exhaustive. However, the researcher hopes it can at
20 least serve as an introduction to the study of Finfinne history and the expulsion of Oromo from the Finfinne which later on its
21 name was changed to Addis Ababa”New Flower”.
22 Key words: Safars, expulsion, Finfinne, Addis Ababa, Mekuanant, Mesafintst
23 Background
24 The power and influence of Gondar gradually declined in the late 18th and early 19th centuries as a result of the wars
25 ofZamana Masafint and the Dervish invasions/Mohadist invasion. Therefore it could no longer serve as a permanent capital of
26 the Empire [Pankhursst1968:689].It was TewodrosII who first moved his seat of power from Gondar to Debra-Tabor and then
27 briefly to Meqdella until his death. Following the struggle for power on the death of Tewodros II, Adwa and Meqele became
28 the centers and seats of the Emperor’s power (1872-89). However, the two towns could not sustain their new political status for
29 long; and the capital of the empire beganto move further south, together with the imperial power soon assumed by Menilek
30 ofShoa [Pankhurst1968:689; Agegnehu 1986:15-6].
31 As a result of this, the late 19th century was characterized by the rise of Shoa as the center of the new political power of the
32 Ethiopia Empire. The region of Shoa was much less affected than any of the other Ethiopian regions by the ravages of the
33 warfare’s of the Zamana Masafint.Therefore; this made Shoa gradually to grow into prominence. However, within the region
34 of Shoa itself the centers of power of the local rulers were kept on changing.Accordingly, for some time Ankober had begun to
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35 serve as the capital of the Shoan kingdom; but this, too, did not last long;[Pankhurst1968: 693-6],and soon after his escape
36 from the state prison of Tewodros II at Meqdalla in 1865 and his accession to the Shoan throne, Menilek changed the centre of
37 his political power from Ankober to Debre-Berhan,Angollela,Liche and Entoto,respectively[Gabra-
38 Sellassie1959E.C:101;Garreston1974:.32;Johnson1974:10;Tajjaba Bayana1968 E.C:18].
39 Besides economic interest, for military and strategic reasons, Ethiopian rulers often preferred the commanding positions of
40 mountain tops for military as the site for their Katama. And although Menilek’s reign seems to have been relatively more
41 “peaceful” than those of his predecessors, his capitals were still located on high places. In the region of Finfinne, what is
42 today Addis Ababa, for instance, Menilek is first said to have camped for some time especially on Wachcha mountain which is
43 located to the west of Finfinne/ Addis Ababa [Mahatama Sellassie1962 E.C:7; Greenfield1968:28; Pankhurst 1968.697-
44 9].However, Menilek’s camp before moving to Entoto was on Furi-Gara which means Furi mountain[Informant: Akalu
45 Bayou].The discovery of an old settlement site and ruins of some constructions of the reign of Lebne Dengel (1508-1540) on
46 the top of Entoto mountain made Menilek decide to move his capital towards the area[Gabra-Sellassie 1959 E.C:101;
47 Pankhurst1962:33-34;Tajjaba Bayana1968E.C:158-9; Marcus1974:.220].It has suggested that these ruins belonged to the reign
48 of king Dawit (1380-1412)[Taddesse Tamrat1972:151], however the evidence does not seem strong and plausible. It may,
49 however, be that this tradition refers to Lebne Dengel who sometimes bore the reignal name of Dawit as well;[Marcus1974:
50 220; Pankhurst 1962:33], the description which is still not historically supported, and some sources goes on narrating that in
51 1881 Menilek established his court there. [Tajjaba Bayana1968E.C:17].
52 The history of the arrival of the Oromo people in the sixteenth century in East Africa from outside is a fabrication and denial of
53 historical facts. It is a mith created by Abyssinian court historians and monks, continued by their Europian which were
54 supporters of Abyssinian s repeated the same created myth.Hernce , this revealed that the Ethiopian rulers used to lay the claim
55 on Oromo territory and justified their colonization of the Oromo people [Gadaa Melbaa 1988:5]. Finfinne has been the
56 land of Oromo people which later became the center and seat of theunited Ethiopian imperialgovernment andcurrentlybecame
57 seatsof numerous nationan and international organizations. Many scolars admitted that it was the center of Oromia National
58 Regional State and the area formerly and historically inhabited by the Oromo people.However, currently the issue of the
59 administration of Finfinne and its surrounding is becoming the center of political arena for the politicians neglecting the
60 existed historical narrations. Besides its economic significance, the interest for military and strategic reasons by Menilek and
61 his officials, Masafints and Makuanints often made them to be attracted by the location and conducive temperature of Finfinne.
62 The Ethiopian rulers often preferred the commanding positions of mountain tops for military as the site for their
63 militarygarisson in addition to its economic and social significances.
64 Most of the existing literature asserts that the process of modern urbanization in Ethiopia began to take its shape from the
65 late 19th century on wards.This came about with the territorial expansion and conquest of Menilek(1889-1913), which seems
66 to bring about political “stability” and the effective centralization and bureaucratic governmental system.This is said to have
67 brought relative acceleration to the expansion of urbanization in Ethiopia, with the constraction of of the Addis Ababa
68 Djibouti railway and the improvements in the system of transportation and communication which were identified as factors
69 that contributed to this new phase of urban development.Shoanterritorial expansion to the south led to the appearance of
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70 garrison centers, and northern settlement, which eventually evolved into foundation of permanentcity of Addis Ababachanging
71 its hereditaryname, Finfinne.The military garrison and settlements of new comers from the north was established either on
72 already existing settlement like Finfinne or on newsites [Mahatama Sellassie1962 E.C:7; Greenfield1968:28; Pankhurst
73 1968.697-9].
74 Socially, this settlement area served mainly as permanent residences for Menilek’s riflemen/the naftagnas as the northern and
75 central Ethiopian settlers sometimes came to be reffered by some people collectively.Some letrature in Ethiopia indicated
76 that the emergence of present towns in some parts of Ethiopa allocated much to politico-military factors , that is to the
77 establishment of military garrisons, like Tabanja Yazhoch(riflemen quarter).It is clear that many towns in Ethiopia developed
78 historically from military garrisons, but many of the garrisons were also abandoned when their military needs declined[Wolde
79 Michael 1973:1-4].
80 According to different letrature, there were important political centersthat predated Finfinne and the campaign of Emperor
81 Menilek.Among these political centers and seats of governments, Meqdalla (1865-68), Maqale/Adwa(1871-1889), and after
82 his accession to the Shoan throne,(1865-1889) and emperor of Ethiopia(1889-1913), Menilek changed the centre of his
83 political power to Shoa, like Ankober, Debre Berhan, Angollela,Liche, Entoto, and finally Finfinne, respectively[Gabra-
84 Sellassie1959E.C:101;Garreston1974:32;Johnson1974:10;Tajjaba Bayana1968 E.C:18].
85 Besides economic interest, for military and strategic reasons, Ethiopian rulers often preferred the commanding positions of
86 mountain tops for military. And although Menilek’s reign seems to have been relatively “peaceful” than those of his
87 predecessors, his capitals were still located on hill sides and high places. In the region of Finfinne, what is today Addis
88 Ababa, for instance, Menilek is first said to have camped for some time especially on Wachcha mountain which is located to
89 the west of Finfinne/ Addis Ababa [Mahatama Sellassie1962 E.C:7; Greenfield1968:28; Pankhurst 1968.697-9]. However,
90 Menilek’s camp before moving to Entoto was on Furi-Gara which means Furi mountain[Informant: Akalu Bayou].The
91 discovery of an old settlement site and ruins of some constructions of his predecessors on the top of Entoto mountain is said
92 to have made Menilek decide to move the capital towards the area[Gabra-Sellassie 1959 E.C:101; Pankhurst1962:33-
93 34;Tajjaba Bayana1968E.C:158-9; Marcus1974:.220].It is suggested that these ruins belonged to the reign of the medieval
94 kings[Taddesse Tamrat1972:151], though the evidence does not seem strong and plausible. It may, however, be that this
95 tradition refers to bore different reignal names; [Marcus1974: 220; Pankhurst 1962:33]. Therefore, some of the descriptions are
96 still not historically supported, although some of them go on narrating that in 1881 Menilek established his court there, on
97 Entoto Mountain[Tajjaba Bayana1968E.C:17].
98 Finfinne had been part of the center of Oromo land until the second half of 19th century and it has been well documented in
99 the second half of the nineteenth century by Menilek followed with his army force, naftagna the Oromo lad of Finfinne area
100 and its surrounding was annexed. Not only the land of Finfinne but also its name was changed from Finfinne to “New
101 Flower’, Amharic name of Addis Ababa. With this change of name and its significance for centrality of the imperial rule,
102 large government and foreign firms had based in Addis Ababa and establishing their branches in different towns of the
103 country[Pankhrst1968:399].By the time of Italian invasion, there were numerous branches of firms in Addis
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104 Ababa[Pankhurst1968:446].The growth and development of Finfinne as urbanized city , perhaps facilitated the growth and
105 development of other towns in the different corners of the the country being the center of trade.
106 Thus, the aim of this article is, to place the history of the expulsion of the Oromo from Finfinne area and the foundation,
107 growth and development of Safarsin Finfinnee into the broader perispective of Socio-cultural and economic ralations of
108 Ethiopia. The study is based on a number of primary and some secondary sources, especially from the late 19thcentury, as
109 well as existingresearch conducted by either Ethiopians or Europian researchers bothpublished and unpublished.
110 Results of the Expulsion of Oromo from Finfinne
111 Despite the historical arguments, however, the choice of this site was also based on its strategic and commanding positions in
112 that important period when Menilek was commanding his campaigns against the surrounding Oromo areas. And it was only
113 when he felt more secure and because of other social and natural factors that he could move the capital to the more open area
114 of Finfinne [Garreston1974:33].It is also clear that Addis Ababa owes its origin to the centrality of its location for
115 administrative reasons and for maintaining the vast Empire which had been expanding to the west, southwest, south and
116 sosutheast [Garreston1974:33].
117 The initial factor for the foundation and establishment of towns or capitals is summarized as follows:
118 Although the original reasonfor the foundation of a townmay have
119 been military, itscontinued existence in timesof peace or increased
120 stabilitywas due first to political andthen to economic factors [Garreston 1974:33].
121 Finfinne is said to have also attracted some of the predecessors of Menilek II. His grandfather, Sahle Sellassie (1813-47), had
122 once been interested in the site of Finfinne and wished to set up a permanent settlement there, near the hot water spring,
123 Filwuha. But he could not achieve his ambition as a result of the continuous and strong resistance of the Finfinne Oromo who
124 dominated the area at the time and he thus failed to build lasting settlements in the area. However, he anticipated that one of
125 his grandsons would one day build his capital there [Charles Garhan1969: 28; Garreston 1974:31: Pankhurst1962:35; Tajjaba
126 Bayana 1968E.C: 22-23].
127 Hence, it was his grandson, Menilek II king of Shoa (1865-1889), and Emperor of Ethiopia (1889-1913) who was destined to
128 exterminate the vast Oromo population in the Finfinne area and established his capital, where he is also said to have found
129 some old ruins of the days of his grandfather, King SahleSellassie [Greenfield1968:29; Garreston1974:32; Tajjaba
130 Bayana1968:17-8; Pankhurst1962: 33; Berhanu Lamessa 1983:1-3]. Later on Menilek’s wife, Taitu named the area Addis
131 Ababa “New Flower.” [Greenfield 1968: 102; Tajjaba Bayana1968:23]. The foundation of Addis Ababa, therefore, coincided
132 with the incorporation of the vast regions into the Ethiopian Empire.
133 After the Battle of Embabo/ Ababo Guduru, on June 6, 1882 and Menilek’s victory over Taklahaimanot of Gojjam, he became
134 economically as well as militarily superior to all the other Ethiopian princes. He also continued his expansion and conquest in
135 various directions. It was essentially these conquests and the pacification of the whole Oromo area which enabled the site of
136 Finfinne to emerge as a natural site of a capital. The conquest and annexation of the rich Arsi region in 1886 after the battle of
137 Annole/Azule [Caulk1972:611-19; 1975: 65; Garreston1974:16; Abas Haji 1982:17], and the conquest of Harar in 1887 after
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138 the battle of Chalanqo also specially gave Menilek full control of the trade routes from the Gulf of Aden, thus paving the way
139 for his economic and military supremacy [Garreston1974: 61; Pankhurs1966:36]. From this period onwards the commercial
140 importance of Harar for Shoa continued to grow fast and tended to favour the permanency of the new capital,Addis Ababa
141 [Zewde Gabra-Sellassie1975:216-7]. It is indicated that: “… The victory of Tchelenqo and occupation of Harar were the major
142 steps in the establishment of modern Ethiopia [Zewde Gabra Sellassie1975:218].
143 It is said that even before settling at Finfinne, both Emperor Menilek and Empress Taitu together with their Masafint and
144 Makuanint used to visit and take bath on every Friday at the hot water spring of Filwuha [Culk1972:35; Informants: Gabra
145 Mariam Dhera, Akalu Bayou].There, one day, Taitu looked at the beautiful surroundings of theFilwuhaarea and was greatly
146 impressed by the fertility and healthy climate of the Finfine valley. Hence, Empress Taitu asked Menilek IIfor permission to
147 build a house on the site. And he is said to have authorized her to build her house at the very spot his grandfather, king Sahle
148 Sellassie is said to have once attempted to camp but failed to do so. This is believed to have taken place sometimes in late
149 1886 after which the place of Entoto as the sole and permanent capital of the kingdom began to change [Tajjaba
150 Bayana1968E.C: 20 – 23; Caulk 1975: 35].
151 Other important factors made the position of Entoto increasingly unattractive. The area is very cold for much of the year, and
152 peoples suffered from the strong wind which swept away their humble dwellings. With the gradual increase in the size of the
153 settlements, the problem of fire-wood, water supply, and other provisions also became serious. The steep rise to the top of
154 Entoto also made communication difficult and unpopular among Menilek’s Masafint and Makuanint. In contrast to this, the
155 much warmer and sheltered area of Finfinne valley together with its more abundant supply of firewood, fresh water as well as
156 the hot water-spring and conducive climate attracted the attention of the Empress, Emperor and their officials or Masafint and
157 Makuanant[Garhan1969:12, 28; Count Gliechen1898:156- 8; Tajjaba Bayana1968E.C: 25; Pankhurst1968: 697-8].Although
158 Finfinne, the later Addis Ababa itself is located on the highland as its predecessors, it is much warmer and more attractive
159 than them[Rey1935:29]
160 Until the foundation of Addis Ababa and the construction of the palace there, the area was traditionally and historically called
161 “the land of the Gulelle Oromo,” [Afeworq Gabra-Iyasus 1973:46], after the Oromo clan who inhabited much of this region.
162 The Gulelle Oromo called it Finfinne which is often said to be connected to the name of the main river flowing through the
163 area, while the latter settlers; the Amhara soon started calling it Filwuha often the hot water-spring located in the center of the
164 Finfinne valley [Afeworq Gabra-Iyasus 1973:46].
165 According to oral tradition, the area of what is today Addis Ababa was originally inhabited by various Oromo clans whose
166 distribution is said to have been as follows: The Gulelle to the west and centre; the Galan to the east and southeast including
167 the present day Bole area; Abebie Tufa to the north and northeast; and Dulla Harre to the south including the area of what later
168 became the Tabanja Yazh Safar or riflemens’ quarters, the later centre of military, the Fourth Infantory Military
169 Divission(Aratagna Kiflator) camp. Dulla Harre is said to have been a contemporary to the extermination of the Oromo from
170 the Finfinne area and the foundation of Addis Ababa a hundred years ago; and it was a remarkable that one of my oral
171 informantswas his grandson, Alamu Yai (the grandson of Dulla Hare/Alamu Yai Dula Harre). He wasstill occupied part of the
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172 small plot land south of St. Charqos church during my study which his grandfather, Dula had tried but failed to save his plot of
173 land from Menilek’s occupation.
174 The traditions report that all of the names given above were those of the Oromo leaders and clans among whom the Gulelle
175 clan werethe dominant, strongest and most conspicuous [Informants: Gabra-Mariam Dhera, Akalou Bayou; and Alamu Yai].
176 Alamu, thegrandson of Dulla Harre was not volunteer to give detailed information about the Oromo clan’s expulsion from the
177 area for unknown reason. Letrature gives some traditions of this Oromo clans conflictperhapswhich must have been calculated
178 by Menilek and his Masafints, Makuanintsand his followers in the area between the Gulelle and other Oromo clans in which
179 the Gulelle were able to achieve the upper hand [Greenfield 1968: 98; Informant: Alamu Yai] It is also described as the
180 conflict existed between Tufa Muna (one of the Oromo clan leaders of the north and north-east of Finfinne, the father of
181 Abebie Tufa Muna) and the other Gulelle Oromo clans. As a result of Menilek’s political calculation, Tufa Muna refused to
182 join the other Shoan Oromo clans confederation, so that the war broke-out and Tufa Muna died in the war [Informant: Alamu
183 Yai]. One of my informants alsoexpresses these Oromo conflicts which werepolitically calculated by Menilek and his
184 followers/settlers in Finfinne, the present day of Addis Ababa. However, he feared and was reserved to give the final and exact
185 situationcreated in Finfinne area. TheseGulelle Oromo are believed to have at first come from the Salale under their leader
186 called Gulelle and spread widely throughout the region which they eventually came to dominate the area [Informants: Asfaw
187 Muluneh, Madimim Ayichilum].The Salale Oromo are part of the group of Oromo clans called Tulama whose land extended
188 east wards from that of the Macha across the Shoanhighlands [Huntingford 1969:13].
189 The Outcome of Menilek’s conquest of Finfinnee and the surrounding Oromo areas was far reaching. It did not only lead to
190 their incorporation but also brought about the radical transformation of socio-economic structure of the Oromo society as a
191 result of their interaction with the newlysettled Amharaand their feudal institutions. For the Oromo population in theFinfinne
192 area it also meantthat the gradual expulsion of many of their clans in the direction of Arsi and other regions, especially after
193 thecampaigns andconquest of Arsi and Harar[Rey1935:124 -5; Marcus1975:89-93; Abas Haji1982:44]
194 Between 1881 and 1886 Menilek conducted several successful campaigns against the rich and fertile Oromo land of Arsi.The
195 Arsi Oromo put up firm resistance against an enemy eqiped with modern Eropian firearms.In one of the battles on 6
196 September, 1886 about 12,000 Oromo warriors arementioned to have been killed [Gadaa Melbaa 1988:54; Darkwah 1975].
197 According to letrature,this number does not include the women, children and old men whom the Abyssinian soldiers burned
198 alive or massacred inlooting [Gadaa, Melbaa1988:54]. Menilek’s conquest of Arsi is said to have led to the settlement there of
199 many other Oromo clans from Shoa as well as other ethnic groups. Besides the Salale, Abichu and the Gulelle, the Amhara and
200 the Gurage peoples were also made to settle there in the surrounding Finfinne and Arsi areas [Abas Haji 1982:48].These
201 peoples were compelled to move to Arsi and the surrounding area because of shortage of land in Shoa, and more precisely as a
202 result of the Great Famine in Ethiopia (1889-1892) [Marcus 1975: 135; Pankhurst 1966:.290; Abas Haji1982:48]. These strong
203 pressures as well as the fertile nature of the newly occupied areas of Arsi and further south necessitated the expulsion to other
204 areas of Oromopeople who had long been weakened by the revival and expansion of the kingdom of Shoa since the early 19th
205 century.Letrature describes this situation as follows:
206 The Oromo in the Addis Ababa [Finfinne]area had been brutally crushed
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207 some ten years earlier; manyhad been transferred to Arssi and were in
208 no real positionto revolt for a second time[Garreston1974:39].
209 There are traditions which indicate that the Gulelle and other Oromo clans who were thus expelled were given land in Arsi and
210 the surrounding areas in compensation to what they lost in the Finfinne area. It seems that the Gulelle did not understand the
211 implications of these land grants when they agreed to settle in the new areas[Informants: Akalu Bayou, Wondimu
212 Wolde].They especially did not understand that they were granted land only in return for the payment of tribute which they
213 now had to pay to the Emperor[Abas Haji1982:48]. It is believed that the Gulelle of theFinfinne area were predominantly
214 settled in Munnessa worada in Arsi region [Abas Haji1982: 48].According to these sources it was precisely in this area where
215 the gabbar system was first practiced in the southern regions of Ethiopia [Abas Haji1982: 49].
216 It is said that the Arsi campaign was the boodiest of Menilek’s campaign.The then Arsi Abba Duula, war minister, Roobaa,
217 after a bitter battle using primitive war weapons against modern Europian fire arms and expertise, finally
218 submitted.However, he voiced his faith in the future independence of Oromia in the following words,” The hour has not come,
219 but it will come, perhaps our children will see the departure of the oppressor”[qoted in Hiwet,1975; Gadaa Melbaa 1988:55].
220 This descriptioncertainly stands against the former anticipation of King Sahle Sellasie of Shoa and the completion of the
221 anticipation by his grandson Menilek who subjugated the Oromo and Oromo land in the second half of the nineteenth century.
222 According to different sources, the settlement of the Gulelle among the Arsi also had other implications. Although they were
223 of the same Oromo linguistic Origin, unfortunately conflicts over land arose between the native Arsi Oromo and the Gulelle
224 settlers from Shoa. For the Arsi, the advent of the Gulelle and the other Salale Oromo and other Oromo groups could not be
225 distinguished from Menilek’s military conquests [Ray1935:53; Abas Haji1982: 48]. Although there was very little difference
226 between the Shoa and Arsi Oromo, especially relegionwise,since the former had a longer interaction and intermarriages with
227 the Shoa Amhara and so that the Arsi considered them as an integral part of Menilek’s army forces [Ray1935:53; Abas
228 Haji1982; 48]
229 While the original inhabitants of the Finfinne [Addis Ababa] area were thus pushed out, immediately the followers of Menilek
230 and their retainers moved in, divided the land in Finfinne amongthemand built up their own residences. Menilek’s generals
231 and other officials occupied important quarters which were later to bear their names such as Ras Abata Safar where the police
232 signal in Higher 16 was later located and RasTessama Safar where we have the Black Lion Hospital today. Other quarters
233 were given either the names of the original inhabitants such as Gulelle, or called after the ethnic origin of the new settlers such
234 as “Ghimira”Safar which apparently belongs to Iyasu’s reign. In some cases the names given would indicate the social and
235 military role of the people living in the quarters, like the riflemen’ or Tabanja YazhSafar which is the later Fourth Military
236 Divission/Aratagna Kiflator [Sinidu Laqaw1974:30-31].
237 The growth and developments of Addis Ababa and Menilek’s capital were further enhanced by his eventual accession to
238 imperial power; only two years after Empress Taitu had christenedFinfinne as“Addis Ababa”, “New Flower”. With this new
239 situation Addis Ababa became not only the capital of the kingdom of Shoa but also of the Ethiopian
240 Empire[Garreston1974:30-32; Rey1935:29; Johnson1974: 2]. Menileks coronation at Entoto in Nov. 1889,not only marked
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241 the gradual withdrawal of the court to Finfinne but also the concentration in the new capital of highly diverse ethnic and
242 linguistic groups from all over the Empire[Garreston1974: 39; Marcus1975: 221].
243 It was thus not only these old Shoa generalwarlords who came to set up their new quarters in the city. But some of his
244 dynastical rivals and their descendents were also came with their huge followers and given their own specific quarters
245 [Caulk1972:19-20].Many others flocked to Addis Ababa either in the form of captives or in need of employment and they
246 settled aroundthe Ghibbi, (palace) someof them becoming palaceservants [Marcus1975: 221]. These people set up their own
247 residences on the Oromo land giving their own names and to there neighborhoods[Marcus 1975: 221].
248 The date of the foundation of Addis Ababa as the sole and permanent capital has become a controversial issue among various
249 historians and writers [Tajjaba Bayana1968E.C.18; Kiros Adara 1983:1-4; Berhanu Lamessa 1983:1-3]. However, it seems to
250 have adopted theyear 1887[Pankhurst 1968:700], and some of them the year 1886 [Garreston1974: 36],while others preferred
251 the year 1891[Johnson196:.36]. Some of the arguments are said to be based on Menelik’s diplomatic letters in the years
252 between 1888 and 1890. These letters were written by Menilek to the Italian Monarch king Umberto and they bore the
253 addresses of the two capitals, Entoto and Addis Ababa. According to this source there were no letters sent from Entoto after
254 1890, although there is a reference to one more letter from Entoto dated Feb.6, 1891[Marcus1975:133]. Some scholars
255 summarizes the problem as follows: “It may reasonably be argued that the capital was traditionally where the Emperor resided,
256 and this was by no means in one place [Pankhurst1962: 36].It seems to me that the argument here is quite tenable; and that
257 Addis Ababa could be considered as the permanent seat of the Emperor’s powers only after 1891. According to some writers,
258 who had apparently collected oral information about this matter in their days, the Emperor had not yet started building his
259 earliest stone houses in the city until 1891. And it is further stated that it was only after that year thatthe city land was
260 distributed among the Emperor’s followers [Pankhurst1962; 36].
261 Having authorized Taitu to build a house near the hot water spring probably in late 1886, the Emperor himself started
262 constructing his own palace on the prominent hill overlooking the Finfinne valley just to the north of it. Following that he
263 soon began a long process of assigning plots of land to his leading generals a process which is said to have been started in
264 1887[Pankhurst1962:36; Marina Ottawa1976:43].Among the personalities who thus received land were leading figures like
265 Afanigus Nassibu who was later Menilek’s minister of Justice. He was one of the twelve ministers appointed in 1907, thus
266 being the first minister of Justice in Ethiopia. During the expulssion of the Oromo from Finfinnee area and the foundation of
267 Addis Ababa he was allotted plots of land by the Emperor to the southeast of what is today the English School (higher 13,
268 Qebele 10). Since then the area is called Afanigus Nassibu Safar [Mahatama Sellassie 1961 E.C: 48-9; Informant: Getahun
269 Asfaw]. Getahun was the great grandson of Afanigus Nassibu/Nassibu Abba Dama,the name of his horse, who is said to have
270 been a well-known person in Shango (traditional jurisdiction), especially in the case of his argumentation].Ras Darge ,the
271 highly influential uncle of Emperor Menilek, originally camped on the bank of the Qabbena river where he later founded
272 the Ourael church [Haile-Gabriel Dagne1986: 3.; Informants: Worku Faris, Mamhir Taye Ababa]. Ras Darge Safar which was
273 later called Empress Zewditu Safar is located in the South of Ourael church. The residence of the Ras was later replaced by
274 that of the Empress on the right side of the road to Bole where now Ourael Junior Secondary School is constructed. Emperor
275 Haile Sellassie I is said to have wanted to dedicate this area to the memory of EmpressZewuditu. While still he was governor
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276 of Salale Ras Darge served as Menilek’s general in the 1886 conquest of Arsi of which he acted as administrator for some time
277 [Abas Haji1982:43].It is apparent that his family continued to reside in the lower Qabbena river theextensive area to the
278 northeast of the city which was to be calledRasKassa Safar (later higher 12, Qebele 22). Here the family continued to reside
279 and founded the three churches of St. Mary church (in a building of Kassa Hailu’s old residence); Iyesus church was founded
280 in 1927 E.C.[Informants: Alamirew Edaye, Nigussie Yadate], just before theItalian invasion, and St. Michael, in another
281 ofRasKassa‘s residential houses.
282 It is interesting to note here that the church of St.Michael is popularly called Chiqunu Michael or “the poor,
283 oppressed”Michael in comparison to the mucholder and more prosperous other church of St.Michael, in the Shola area on the
284 main Dessie road. Ras Kassa’s Michael, which started as a private chapple of the Rasand became a full-fledged church only
285 after his death, isnot at all wellknown, nor well endowed. During the annual Timket celebrations at Janmeida, the traditional
286 rivalries of the various parishes of the city are often exhibited in their crudest forms. On these occasions, Ras kassa‘s Michael
287 has very little popular following and rather insignificant offerings from the public. Thus, it has come to be called chiqunu,”the
288 poor, oppressed” Michael [Informants: Dr. Taddesse Tamrat, Alamirew Edaye].In the later Dargregime revolutionary
289 parlance, theterm, chiqunu has important political implications. With the use of this term, the city populace seems to be
290 sarcastic about the evident reversal of roles betweenRas Kassa’s church founded by one of the most powerful feudal lords
291 inrecent history and the famous old church in Shola with a much wider following of the broad masses.
292 Immediately to the east of RasKassa’s Safarthe land was allotted to the equally prominent families of Ras Seyoum Mangesha,
293 grandson of the Emperor Yohannes (1871-89) [Mahatama Sellassie1961E.C:29; Hadara Tesfaye1976: 1-2; Informant: Yimar
294 Lamma]. The other leading Tigrean official, Dajazmatch Gabre-Sellassie Baryagabr[Mahatama Sellassie1961E.C:.86-7;
295 Tesfaye Haile1972:2], and Afanigus Tilahun who was the founder of the nearby church of Abbo[Haile-Gabriel1986: 3].This
296 area is generally known as RasSeyoumSafar and Afanigus Tilahun Safar and has the nearby French Legation (now French
297 Embassy) to its immediate west.
298 Just across the Qabbena river, further to the west, come one after the other, the land allotted to the famous Wollo chief Ras
299 Michael, and that of Ras Mokonnenof Harar. Michael’s old quarters, early called Ras Michael Safar,were later inherited by
300 his son, Lij Iyasu[Aby Demissie1964:1], then by Waizero Siheon of Wollo and finally by his great-grandson, the former
301 Crown Prince Asfaw Wossen Haile Sellassie. The area is later on occupied by the Yekkatit, 66 Political School with the
302 Egyptian Embassy on one side andthe Karl Marx Park on the other. This area is currentlyhouses the AddisAbaba University,
303 Fuculty of Bssiness Management and Economics. Ras Mokonon’s holdings, called then Ras Makonnen Safar[Tekle
304 Hagos1983:1-3], were even more extensive with their western limits bordering on the Arada (piazza) area located just across
305 the bridge known after him as Ras Mokonnen Bridge. Here were settled the followers and relatives ofRas Mokonnen from
306 Harar with the main campus of his residence being later inherited by his son, Ras Tafari (later Haile-Sellassie I). This site now
307 houses the main Sidist Kilo campus of Addis Ababa University; the old Empress Manan (nowYekkatit Comprehensive High
308 School); and the former Haile –Sellassie I(now Yekkatit 12) Hospital.
309 There are many other examples of the early Safars that emerged in Addis Ababa following the expulsion of the Oromo people
310 from Finfinne area, of which it suffices to mention only the most prominent ones. RasAbata,[Mahatama Sellassie1961E.C:55-
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311 56; Informant: Cheramo Wolda-Samayat],one of the leading generals of Menilek for instance, had his Safar just to the east of
312 the lower Qabbena south of the British Legation (now BritishEmbassy) and the Dessie main road. The area is now occupied by
313 the East Comprehensive High School and the headquarters of the Signal police.
314 On the road from Addis Ababa westwards to Ambo, where we now have the police club, Menilek granted an extensive piece
315 of land to Naggadras Bahabte who was a leading merchant and chief of the merchants at the time.[Mahatama
316 Sellassie1961E.C:8; Informant: Lagassa Yigazu the grandson of Nagadrass Bahabte]. The whole area is said to have been the
317 merchants’ quarter with many naggade residing there. It is probably why the earliest Muslim cemetery of Addis Ababa was
318 located nearby with most of the naggade at the time being Muslims. The area around Bahabte’s main residence (now housing
319 the exhibition Hall of the Ministry of State and Public Security) was called Bahabte Safar. Later, his son, DajazmatchYigazu
320 succeeded him and the Safar later came to be known as after him. Yigazu, in his turn, gave way to his son, Colonel Tamrat,
321 who was one of the leading figures in Haile-Sillassie’s government.
322 In the present Markato area, the famous wargeneral of Menilek, Fitawrari Habta-Giorgis Dinagde, popularly called Fitawurari
323 Qusi [Informants: Lagassa Yigazu, Nigussie Yadate],had his quarters known after him as Habte-Giorgis Safar. This Safar
324 started from just across the bridge, also known as Habte-Giorgis Bridge. His own residence occupied the whole site on which
325 now stands the St Raguel church and the chief Anwar Mosque with much of the land eastwards which extends to the nearby
326 river and south-wards in the direction of the Tekle-Haymanot church, all belonging to the old war general,Habte Giorgis Safar.
327 Immediately to the south of RasHabte-Giorgis Safar, starting from where we now have the Tekle-Haimanot church and
328 extending as far down as the present location of the Ministry of culture, the land was allotted to Ras Tessama Abba Qemmaw,
329 another famous general of Menelik’s and later Regent in the early days of Lij Iyyasus’s short reign[Informant: Seyoum
330 Ayale].His residence was located at the prominent hill just behind the present day offices of the Ministry of Interior and
331 Justice. The broad streets between Sanga TaraSafar where the WabiShebelle Hotel is located and the Tekle-Haimanot church
332 square runs through the very heart of this called Ras Tessema Abba Qemmaw Safar and it is also called Tessema Abba
333 Qemmaw Avenue.
334 On the other side of the river, east of what has been known as Churchil Avenue and just behind the French Lycee, there is still
335 an old building which was the residence of Ras Nadew and the area around which was called after himRas Nadew Safar.Ras
336 Nadew was Menilek’s Minister of the palace [Mahatama Sellassie1961 E.C:39; Informant: Ayana Golba], and his residence is
337 characteristically separated from the Emperor’s Ghibbi(Palace)only by the quarters specially reserved to the servants and slave
338 laborers’ of the palace. Less than 500 metres below the Ras’s mansion, on the western bank of the river separating the Safar
339 from the Ghibbi was the old Qera (abattoir) which served mainly the vast needs of the palace in these matters; and from the
340 balcony of his three storied mansion, the minister of palace had a marvelous view of the Sira-Bet Safar (the servant or slave
341 quarters) spread over the western slope of the hill on the pinnacle of which Menilek had built his palace. It is interesting to
342 note that the most direct gate of the palace enclosure leading to the residence of the minister of palace was officially called the
343 “Gate of Discrete Exit” (Yesirqosh Bar).
344 To the south of Ras Tessemma Abba Qemmaw Safar,another well-known official of Menilek, LigabaWedajo
345 Wube,[Informant: Seyoum Ayale] had his quarter near the Wabi Shebelle Hotel, exactly in front of the current Junior College
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346 of Commerce, where his old residence was still stood during this study and houses the office of Kafitegna 3. On the other
347 side of the road, Ligaba (later Dejazmatch) BayanaAbba Sabsib, [Informants: Seyoum Ayale, Nigussie Yadate] had been
348 allotted vast land and the nearby street passing through it was called Bayana Abba Sabsib Street.
349 To the east of Bayana Abba Sabsib’s quarters, the present site of Revolution/Masqal Square was a vast marshy plain. The
350 elevated land overlooking it from the south was given to Dajazmatch Wolde-Gabriel, [Informants: Wolde Shibashi, Wolda-
351 Giorgis Wolda-Haragawi, Wolda-Mariam Fakyibalu] anotherfavorite of Menelik, whose son Ras Birru later succeeded him
352 and had the area called after him Ras Birru Safar[Informants: Wolda Sellassie Baraka, Yitraf Haile-Mariam] Ras Birru’s
353 multi-storeyed residence is still a beautiful land mark overlooking theMasqal/Revolution square on one side and overshadowed
354 by the new high rise building of the Ethiopian Trade Union Association on the other. The area adjacent to and south of Ras
355 Birru’s residence was assigned to the Elfign Zabagna (Palace Guards)[Informants:Wolda Sellassie Baraka,Yitraf Haile-
356 Mariam], one of whose early commanders was Fitawrari G/Mariam succeeded later in this post by Fitawrari Dachassa[Haile-
357 Sellassie G/Egziabher 1984:5].
358 TheTabanja Yazh SafarorForth Military Infantory Divission/Aratangna Kiflatorislocated immediately to the west of Elfign
359 Zabagna Safar and owes its origins to similar military services which its residents provided to the Emperor. The Commander
360 of the Tabanja Yazh (riflemen or gun holders) was Fitawrari Sabarew [Informant: Marid Agonafir] whose residence located to
361 the west of Bishoftu/DebreZeitroad, was still inhabited by some of his descendants and relatives. Another major leading figure
362 in this Safar was Liqamakwas(later Afanigus)Katama [Mahatama Sellassie1961E.C:60- 61; Informant: Asfaw Fiqre-Sellassie].
363 Asfaw Fiqre Sellassie was the grandson of AfanigusKatama also had his residence there, in what were later the Fourth Infantry
364 Division /Aratagna Kifla-Tor/Headquarters, and later, he was to dominate the history of the Safar.
365 According to the interesting story told by one of my oral informants, Afanigus Katama was born in Shoa region of Manz and
366 Gishe. His elder brother Azzaz Awgichew was the governor of Minjar and one of the most loyal servants of Emperor Menilek
367 advised Katama at his early childhood to be loyal and achieve a position in the Emperor’s court. Katama began to act
368 accordingly and started expressing his loyalty usually early in the morning by going to the Emperor’s Chibbi. It is interesting
369 that nobody could arrive at the Ghibbi always in the morning before Katama did. One day Katama arrived at the Ghibbi as
370 usual, however, the season was Kremt (summer) and he felt cold and then immediately went to sit by fire. The Emperor
371 wanted to send someone somewhere, and unnfortunately there was nobody at all. A person who was told to search for a
372 messenger replied to Emperor Menilek that he could not find anybody. The Emperor again asked “What about Katama?”
373 Because he knows that Katama always presents himself at the Ghibbi to express his loyalty [Informant; Asfaw Fiqire Sellassie,
374 Gabra Mariam Dhera].This was the process in which different Makuanints and Masafints like AfanigusKatama and others
375 expelled the Oromo from their land in Finfinne area and could get the political power in the old feudal ruling system of
376 Menilek through loyalty, and partioned the land of the Oromo in the Finfinne area and the surroundingamong themselves to
377 establish their own residences.
378 Conclusion
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379 Ecologically and agriculturally, Oromia is the richest region in the Horn of Africa.Livestock products, coffee, oil seeds,
380 spices mineral resources and wildlife are all diverse and abundnnt. In spite of all these , a century of colonization by Ethiopia
381 imperial government, a backward nation itself , has meant that the Oromo people have suffered of a sluggish existence
382 where ignorance and famine have been together with ruthless oppression , exploitation and above all annihilation from their
383 land and property. Finfinne area has been very fertile and has favourable temperature for residence.According to the oral
384 tradition; the expulsion of the Oromo was started first from Finfinne during the territorial expansion, and then annexationand
385 conquest of Menilek and his Masafint and Mekuanints beginning the late 19th century. After the expulsion of the Oromo from
386 the Finfinne area, the Emperor, Empress and their Mekuanint and Mesafint began to devide the land of Oromo among
387 themselves and constracted their own residences and formed their own quartes, Safar which later owes their names. .As it is
388 indicated by different scholars, the fate of these Safars was determined by these prominent leading officials of Menilek. The
389 naming of these Safars were based either on the political occupations of the officials or social activities and ethnic background
390 of the residents which currently became the political issues for Finfinne which has to be given the best solution tracing back
391 its historical sources.
392
393 Oral Informants
Name Age Date of Place of Interview Residential Information Remarks Interview Addmasu Taka 56 May, 1986 Tabanja Yazh Safar He lived in the He is the priest ofSt. Qirqos church. He gives (Mamhire) SafarSince 1939 E.C basic information about the church starting from its early foundation Akalu Bayou (Ato) 88 Nov. 1985 Tabanja Yazh Safar He is in Addis Ababa His father was a loyal servant of Menilek in since 1918E.C., but in Ankobar. He has marriage relation with the Tabanja Yazh Since 1941 Tabanja Yazhoch. He is also a known narrator in the Safar concerning the foundation of Addis Ababa and Menelik’s Tabanja Yazh. Alamiraw Edaye Ato 72 Oct. 1986 Ras Kassa Safar He is the resident of He claims to have come from Salale. He served RasKassa Safar Since the Ras as a secretary. Still he serves in the 1919 E.C three churchs of the Ras Safar. Alamu W/Mariam 52 Oct. 1986 Baqlo-Bet Safar He resides Tabanja Yazh He tells that he was born near St. Qirqos (Ato) Safar since 1941 church /Tabanja Yazh Safar/ Alamu Yai (Ato) 64 April, 1986 Tabanja Yazh Safar He resided in Tabanja He is the grandson of Dulla Harre who was the Yazh Safar for 64years lesder of Oromo clan in that area. Asfaw Fiqre-Sellase 70 May, 1986 Tabanja Yazh Safar He left Tabanja Yazh He is the grandson of AfanigusKatama and the (Ato) Safar two years Ago son of Bajtrond Fiqre-Sellassie.He gives ,now lived in Higher 17. invaluable information about his grandfather. Asfaw Mulune (Ato) 72 March, 1986 Tabanja Yazh Safar For 72 years He is the descendant of Arada Zabana. He gives detailed informations concerning the city and Tabanja Yazh Safar in particular. Asfaw Mashasha 64 March, 1986 Tabanja Yazh Safar Since 1964E.C. He is the son of Fituawrari Mashasha Jamane (Ato) (one of the original Tabanja Yazhoch) Ayalew Wolde (Ato) 64 Oct., 1985 Elfign Zabana Safar Since 1941E.C. He was an employee of sugar factory but he is retired and pensioned since 1978E.C. Ayalkibat Asrat 62 Oct., 1985 ElfignZabana Safar Since 1941E.C. He was an Imperial body guard, and still he is a
12
driver (in Ministry of Defence) Ayana Golba (Ato) 76 Oct., 1985 Arada Giorgis His is in Arada Zabana He was born in wollega Province especially Safar Since 1920’sE.C. Horo Guduru Awraja. He was also honey trader before and after Italian occupation, but now retired. Charmo Wolda- 82 Oct. 1986 Ras Abata safar Since 1941E.C. He claims his origin to have been Walaitta. He Samayat (Corporal) was a soldier (now retired and pensioner) Gabramariam Dhera 75 Feb., 1986 Tabanja Yazh Safar Since 1920E.C. He is a “Gimira” origin, and said to have been (Ato) given to Afanigus Katama byLijIyyasu during his tour to the area. He gives good information about the Afanigus and his family. Gabrayas Balata 70 Oct., 1985 Baqlo Bet Safar Since 1960E.C. He is well oriented about Safars and their (Brigader General) foundation. Getahun Asfaw 62 Sep. , 1985 Adanigus Nassibu For 62 years He is a great-grandson of Afanigus Nassibu (Colonel) Safar (Getahun Asfaw Damisew Nassiibu) Girma Ayele (Sergent 52 March, 1986 Ministry of He was serving in Fourth Infantry Division but major) Defence now in Ministry of Defence. Hailamasqal 60 Feb., 1986 Tabanja Yazh Safar Since 1975E.C. he He was born in Gullele Safar (now higher 8). resides in Tabanja Yazh He is pensioner since 1975 E.C. He serves in Banti (Colonel) Safar higher 21, Qebele 25 as a cashier. Halamasqal 74 Oct. , 1985 Baqlo-set Safar Since 1960E.C. He knows different foreign languages. He Gualesiyon (Ato) knows very well about the traditional military system of Ethiopia. Kassa Tnqish (Ato) 66 Feb. 1986 Tabanja YazhSafar Since 1941E.C. He is one of the descendants of Tabanja Yashoch who were granted land in Kullo- Konta. He was born in Kullo, but began to reside in Tabanja Yazh Safar after the Italian evacuation. Lagassa Igazu (Ato) 66 Oct. 1986 Nagadrass Bahabte For 66 years He is the grandson of Nagadrass Bahabte and Safar the son of Dajazmatch Yigazu Madimim Ayichilum 72 March, 1986 Tabanja Yazh Safar For 72 years He is the descendant of Arada Zabaha (City (Ato) police/. He served in Ministry of Justice but now pensioner since 1975E.C. Marid Agonafir (Ato) 62 Feb. 1986 Tabanja Yazh Safar For 62 years He is the grandson of Fitawrari Sebarew (the commander of Tabanja Yazh) Mikra Wolda-Iyasus 63 Feb. 1986 Tabanja Yazh safar For 63 years He is the Son of Wolda-Iyasus Amha (Ato) (Mamhire). Mamhire Wolda-Iyasus or Qes Wolda-Iyasus was the father-Confeessor of Afanigus Katama and the spiritual administrator of St. Qirqos Church. Mohammad Humar 75 Dec., 1986 Tabanja Yazh safar Since 1951E.C. He is a Somali Origin. He was the Railway (Sheik) technician. He is well informed about the first shop owner in the Safar “Gudar” by Ethiopians and “Guthal” by the Somali people of the area.
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Mulugeta Dilinasaw 68 Tabanja Yazh Safar For 68 years He is one of the sons of loyal servant of the (Ato) Afanigus Katama. He says that his family residence was in the compound of the Afanigus up to 1937E.C. He served in the ministry of pen
Nigussie Yadeta 67 Oct. , 1986 Markato Safar His residances is in He claims to have come from Balale at his early (Ato) Arada Zabagna Safar childhood. He tells that he was the Italians cook during their occupation of Ethiopia. He is one of the well-known oral historians in the Safar. Sahle Akala-Sold 66 Nov. , 1986 Tabanja Yazh Safar For 66 years He is the grandson of Fitawrari Damen (Ato) Astatiqe on his mother side, and grandson of Balambaras Wolda-Amanuel on his paternal side (both of them Tabanja Yazh) Same Kabbada 56 Nov. 1986 Tabanja Yazh Safar For 56 years He is the grandson of Qes Wolda-Iyasus and the (Alaqa) son of Qes Kabbada. Now he is blind since 1979.E.C. Seyoum Ayale 70 Oct. , 1986 LigabaWadajo Since 1917E.C. He is the son of Balambaras Ayale Gabra- (Captain) Safar Masqal one of the Ethiopian pattiots of the Battles of Adwa and Maitchew. He served in the Imperial body-guard. Taye Ababa 53 Oct. , 1986 Ras DargeSafar He was born at Entoto He is the teacher ofOurael Junior Secondary (Mamher) (now in higher 11) School. He gives full information about the history of Ras Darge Safar and the school itself. Wold-Giorgis Wolda- 64 Oct. , 1985 Baqale –Bet Safar Since 1948E.C. He was a mason and later became a carpenter. Haragawi (Ato) But now retired. Wolda-Mariam 84 Oct. , 1985 ElfignZabana Safar Since 1945 E.C He was military but now pensioner. Fakyibalu(Ato) Wolda-Sellassie 68 Oct. , 1985 ElfignZabana Safar Since 1958E.C. He is well oriented about Menelik’s land Baraka (General) granting system as well as the Tabanja Yazh. Wolde shibashi (Ato) 78 Oct. , 1985 Baqlo –Bet Safar For 50 years He was an Imperial body-guard. He gives invaluable information about the history of Ras Birru and his Safar. Wondimu Masrasha 40 May , 1986 Tabanja Yazh Safar For 40 years He is the teacher of Falaga Yordanos public (Mamhir) school in the western quarter of Tabanja Yazh. Wondimu Wolde 72 Oct. , 1985 Baqlo-Bet Safar Since 1946E.C. He was a military but now retired and (Sergent) pensioner. He served in the Gibbi minister as a guard. Worku Bayana 34 May , 1986 Tabanja Yazh Safar For 34 years He is a teacher of Falaga Yordanos school. He (Mamhir) knows the history of the school very well. Worku Estifanos 62 March, 1986 Tabanja Yazh Safar Since 1948E.C. He is an employee of the Railway station, at (Ato) first as a daily labourer but now a technician. Worku Farisa 77 Oct. , 1985 Ras DargeSafar Since 1935E.C. He was a military but now pensioner. He is (Corporal) well informed about the history of Ras Darge and the Safar called by his name Yimar Lamma (Ato) 78 Nov. , 1986 Ras Seyoum Since 1914 E.C. he is He was born in Wollo and Claims to have been Mangasha Safar living in that Safar the loyal servant of Kabbada Mangasha who was the governor of Wollo before Marid Asfaw Wassan
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Yitraf Hailamariam 55 Oct. , 1986 Elfign Zabana For 35 years He served in the Ghibbi Minister Finane (Ato) Safar department. He was born in Afanigus Nassibu Safar. Zanaba wube (Ato) 63 Feb. 1986 Tabanja Yazh Safar Since 1941E.C. He was one of the descendants of Tabanja Yazh in Kullo-Konta. He was born there and began to reside in Tabanja Yazh Safar after 1941. Now he is the representative of patriots of Kulo Konta Awraja. Ziwde Wolda-Iyasus 58 Feb. 1986 Tabanja Yazh Safar Since 1941E.C. He is another descendant of Tabanja Yazh in (Ato) Kulo who was born there and started to reside in the Safar after 1941E.C. 394 Bibliography
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