Galore International Journal of Applied Sciences and Humanities

Vol.2; Issue: 2; April-June 2018

Website: www.gijash.com
Research Paper P-ISSN: 2456-8430

The Kingdom of Wolaita (Ethiopia): Military Organization and War, To

1894
Solomon Berhe Tedla1, B. Sudhakara Reddy2
1
PhD Research Scholar at Andhra University, Department of History and Archaeology, Andhra Pradesh,
Visakhapatnam, India
2
Faculty of Andhra University, Department of History and Archaeology, Andhra Pradesh, Visakhapatnam, India
Corresponding Author: Solomon Berhe Tedla
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

ABSTRACT building and state survival. They practiced

acts of conciliation, persuasion, ritualizing,
This study examines the Wolaita’s kingdom negotiation and mediation to achieve co-
traditional military organization, warfare and existence and survival. Diplomatic
the value and attitude of the people towards war understanding, terms and recognition of
and bravery. The study starts as an introduction
protections and agreements were also
by pointing out the importance of war in pre-
colonial Africa and particularly in Ethiopia instruments to achieve mutual benefits
until a centralized Ethiopian Empire created at particularly in areas of trade and aspects of
the end of the 19th century. After brief territories. Dynastic marriages were also
introduction and account on the background of other tools of diplomatic practices to
the study area and the kingdom’s historical establish cooperation and assistance in time
background, the study shows that the kingdom of crisis between peoples, or polities. [1]
had well organized military organization; However, several studies in the field
military trainings and the people had great indicate warfare has significant effects for
value, attitude, and attention towards war and state development and existence in all parts
bravery at the time of the kingdom. The of the world. Particularly war has been
kingdom’s security and expansion to have the
greatly essential in determining Africa's
present territory was largely depended on its
traditional war mechanisms besides other past. It has been both the cause and effect of
peaceful means. The study sums up the larger political and socio-economic changes.
discussion with final conquest of the kingdom This proves to the fact that a strong military
and its incorporation into Ethiopian Empire by organization was main issue in state safety
the forces of Menelik II, which was superior in and consolidation in pre-colonial Africa. [1]
terms of modern firearms, and experience after Many Literatures contend that
bloodiest resistance that prolonged for more military competition played significant role
than seven years and took the life of thousands in the state building. The famous statement,
from both sides. The study points out that the which expresses, “War made the state, and
strong resistance of the kingdom using the state made war”, has coined this
traditional weaponry by itself was a sign of
Wolaita kingdom’s traditional strong military
argument. [2] Each African state had its own
organization and system of war. inherent organizational and administrative
principles, military discipline and order. [3]
Key Words: Wolaita Kingdom, War, Military In Ethiopia, which is part of the Sub-
Training, Bravery Saharan Africa, war had played also
significant role in making up of states,
1. INTRODUCTION nations and building of the Ethiopian
Africans in pre-colonial period empire. Wars were common events in
before the second half of the nineteenth Ethiopian history. Territorial expansion,
century utilized various mechanisms in state controlling long distance trade routes,
raiding to capture slaves, competing for

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 Solomon Berhe Tedla et al. The Kingdom of Wolaita (Ethiopia): Military Organization and War, To 1894

political authority and disputes over various relations and methods of wars. [8]
causes such as religious issues were the Nevertheless, regarding the southern regions
main factors for internal wars. Ethiopians there is scarcity of studies and knowledge
conducted also external wars to defend gap about their traditional military
themselves from foreign invasion. [4] This organization, their methods of territorial
seems the reason why the Portuguese writer defence and attacking before their conquest
Almeida in the 17th century wrote about by Emperor Menelik II. The kingdom of
Ethiopians, “In war they are reared as Wolaita, which is the concern of this paper,
children, in war they grow old, or the life of was one of those southern kingdoms
all who are not farmers is war”. [5] conquered by Menelik II in 1894.
Since the beginning of the 19th Indigenous scholars and others have
century, the Ethiopian kingdoms and conducted researches and produced some
polities saw strong determinations by their literatures and theses mainly on the history
rulers to expand their borders, centralize and of Wolaita people. Some of the studies we
consolidate their power at the expense of can mention about Wolaita are Fancho and
others. [6] This process of expansion and Eyob, 2014; Wana Wagesho, 2006; Demise
centralization carried out mainly through the Moja, 2007; Adane Ayza, 2016; Asela
means of warfare. Because of these frequent Gujubo, 2012; E.Paul Balisky, 2009; Remo
wars, polities’ and states borders, territories Chiatti, 1984 and others. However, these
were unstable, and states of different sizes and other materials explore the history of
appeared in many parts of the region. In the Wolaita people, their origin, and socio-
meantime, the stronger neighbors economic and political development and
swallowed the weaker ones and on the way, largely focused on the people’s military
the number of polities changed and resistance against the conquest of Menelik II
eventually one strong empire appeared that and the history after conquest in 1894 to the
unified all polities in Ethiopia at the end of period of the Imperial regime (1974).
the nineteenth century. [6] Although they describe the bravery
At the same time when all Sub- of the Wolaita people and their struggle
Saharan Africans fell under the Europeans against their rivals and enemies as passing
colonization yoke, Menelik II who was the references, there is no in depth study on the
King of Shoa (1865-1889) and Emperor of nature of the Wolaita military organization,
Ethiopia (1889-1913) created the Ethiopian their attitude and value towards war and
Empire by incorporating the southern, south bravery, and their system of territorial
western and eastern principalities, peoples defence at the time of the kingdom. The
and polities through war and peaceful present study aims to fill this gap.
subjugation methods. [7] In the first half of 1.1. Objectives of the study
the nineteenth century, there have been The principal objective of this study
more than five provinces in the northern and is to examine the Wolaita kingdom’s
central part of the Abyssinian kingdom. traditional military organization, traditional
There were also many polities, warfare and territorial defence system and to
principalities, and kingdoms in the southern fill the knowledge gap in the study area.
region that were found at different level of Specific objectives are to:
socio-political development which were  Explore the Pre-conquest Wolaita
later, incorporated into the northern traditional military organization
Abyssinian kingdom. [6]  Examine the military training the
The Ethiopian and expatriate Wolaita youth passed through their age,
scholars have made several researchers and territorial defence and counter attack
produced a bulky literature about the system of the kingdom.
northern and central provinces internal and  Examine the military armaments of the
external wars, their organization, diplomatic Wolaita kingdom

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 Solomon Berhe Tedla et al. The Kingdom of Wolaita (Ethiopia): Military Organization and War, To 1894

 Analyze the People of Wolaitas’ value The Wolaita tradition well

and attitude towards war and bravery at remembers the kingdom as most organized
the time of the kingdom. and ruled by strong kings since the 13th
century. For this tradition, the kingdom was
1.2. Methodology ruling vast territories starting from the
The data we used in this work were present area of Wolaita up to the central and
collected in 2017 and early 2018. The two northern areas of the country. Kindo Didaye
main types of data collected and used are one of the twelve districts or Woredas of
oral information and other secondary data. Wolaita Zone, is the area of origin of the
The researchers gathered the oral people and the Wolaita kingdom. Its
information from selected key, elderly and territories diminished to the present area
knowledgeable informants. Other Secondary because of different factors among which
data sources employed were published the Oromo people’s migration and the
books, academic writings and magazines. challenge from the neighbouring rival
The researchers utilized data gathering peoples and states were the main ones. [10]
techniques such as interviews, focus-group Sources indicate that before the
discussions, investigation of academic conquest, four dynasties ruled over the
literatures and magazines. The collected kingdom of Wolaita. However, only the two
data were interpreted using descriptive dynasties: the Wolaita-Mala dynasty, which
analysis method. ruled from 13th to the end of the 15th
1.3. Geographical and Historical century, and the Tigre dynasty that ruled
Background from the 16th century until 1894, the time of
Wolaita Zone, which is the study conquest, are well remembered by Wolaita
area of the present article, is one of the tradition. Wolaita is composed of more than
thirteen Zones of the Southern Nations one hundred clans. [12,13]
Nationalities and Peoples Regional State The Wolaita kingdom was formed
(SNNPRS) of the Federal Democratic by various groups of peoples who came
Republic Government of Ethiopia. The from the surrounding regions of Kambata,
administrative seat is Wolaita Sodo found Hadya, Sidama, Dawuro, Gofa, Koyra,
some 380 kms of Addis Ababa, capital city Qucha, and from far areas of Amhara and
of Ethiopia. [9] Tigray regions traveled to the area because
Wolaita shares boundaries in the of trade, war, marriage alliance and other
south with Qucha and Boreda, in the west reasons and settled in Wolaita. [14,15] Eike
with Dawro Zone, in the north with Hadya, Haberland and affirms that Wolaita is a
Kembata and Tembaro Zones and in the east ‘melting-pot’ of diverse population that
with the Sidama Zone. The Wolaita Zone embraced Wolaita language, culture, and
astronomically is located at 70 north 370 assimilated into Wolaita people. [16]
and 45’ east. Natural physical features such Although the exact time of the
as rivers and lakes also depart Wolaita Zone beginning of Wolaita kingdom started is not
from its neighbours. [10] known due to lack of evidence, it seems
Wolaita during the time of the logical to suggest that sometime between
kingdom was divided into seven twelve and thirteenth centuries the Wolaita
administrative regions locally called Lapun Malla dynasty was re-established and
Danna (seven head of sub-states). They consolidated. Moreover, many writers
were Kindo, Koysha, Sore, Boloso, Damota, consider this period as the period of the
Duguna and Humbo. Mixed agriculture beginning of the Wolaita kingdom. [17-19]
integrated with farming and animal As said above, the people of Wolaita
husbandry, trade and handcrafts productions developed a state structure through a
were the major economic activities of the process that engaged immigration and
Wolaita kingdom. [11] integration. Sources unanimously agree that

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before the conquest by the Abyssinians in At the time of Wolaita kingdom, the
the last quarter of the nineteenth century, society practiced different types of horse
Wolaita was one of the most strongest and riding. The first type was known as Sholawa
organized kingdom in the south that was Tuwaa. This type of horse riding was
ruled by its own dynasties. [17-19] moving rapidly like lightning and attacking
Among the kings of the Wolaita the enemy. SondePretewa was the second.
Mala dynasty, informants and written This type of horse riding is used to ride on
sources concentrate on the achievements of slopes when the enemy is hiding on lower
the famous king Motolomi who reigned ground fortress. The third type was
from c.1251 to 1298. Wolaita tradition Aderasuwa. This type of horse riding used
recalls him as the most strong and for tuning the activity of the enemy and its
expansionist king. He was the first to area. The last one is called Germamuwa.
expand from the homeland Kindo to north This was is used to go around the enemy
and establish capital at Damot hill. In holding place and to stand up on the horse’s
addition, some written sources and oral back on two legs frightening the enemy and
tradition maintain that during his reign the observe the situation of the enemy to find
territories of the kingdom stretched out from weak side to enter through Wolaita. [18]
Lake Rudolf in the south to Bulga of Shoa Besides, they had also various kinds
in central part of the Abyssinian kingdom. of body trainings and youth games that
[20,21]
strength their body and help them in time of
The period of the Tigre dynasty is a hunting and war. The first one is Salute.
landmark in the history of Wolaita. The This kind of training is making repeated
territory of Wolaita took the present shape jump up to the sky. This exercise helps the
in the period of this dynasty and it was youths to climb up horse without using
eventful period. The Tigre dynasty stirrup in time of war and sudden attack of
expanded the kingdom from core area of wild animal or an enemy. [22]
Kindo to the four directions of the The second kind was Bahia. This
surrounding areas. They have utilized game is like a triple jump and helps the
different mechanisms to preserve their infancy to jump up ditches and escape the
survival and expand their territories. These snare and trap of an enemy. The third type
are marriage alliances, mediation, and of game or training was termed as Bate.
negotiation and war. [20,21] The focus of this This kind of game is a training of wrestling
paper is the kingdom’s traditional war among childhoods. Wolaita at the time of
mechanism and organization. the kingdom usually fought carrying two
spears and one sword. When fighting
2. ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION intensify and they utilized all spears and
2.1. Military training when wounded enemy took away their all
The people of Wolaita gave much spears, this exercise help the Wolaita
honour and attention to war. It was a social warrior to wrestle with the enemy, lay down
and political responsibility of the male to ground and cut off genital by the sword.
population of the kingdom. According to The other kind of training was called
my informants, the people of Wolaita Habelue. When one leg is injured and his
learned about military activity and strategy Achilles tendon is injured, this training
of warfare by observing black ants that hunt helps the warrior to move jumping by one
termite searching early in the morning and leg only. [22]
bringing the hunted termites at evening. The circumcision ceremony in
From early child hood Wolaita teenagers Wolaita culture would take place when the
exercise the art of fighting first by infancies age reach above fifteen and they
participating in hunting. Next, they learn are able to eat meat and drink butter
hunting by riding on back of horses. [21,22] adequately. When a circumcised young is

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 Solomon Berhe Tedla et al. The Kingdom of Wolaita (Ethiopia): Military Organization and War, To 1894

healed from his wound, he would go for meeting with Torra Gadawas (War Leaders
hunting with his friends and if he killed big or Commanders) and orders mobilization.
wild animal such as buffalo, he would be Then, the mobilization order would be
called Qaxxarabacaallaa. This stage shows transferred to the people by using traditional
that the child passed from childhood to adult breath and drum music instruments locally
hood stage and was ready for fighting. [23] called Nagiriitaa, Kambbaa and
In addition, there was an annual hunting Uldduuduwaa and promptly the people
program in the month of January that was would march to the war front. [26]
organized by the sponsorship and order of Immediately as the news of the
the Kawo/King of Wolaita. Every abled king’s launch of war heard, the Wolaita
adult was taking part in this hunting women prepare provisions and supply to the
program and those who hunted or killed army. There were special meals prepared for
dangerous wild animals such as elephant, wartime that can stay for several days so
lion, tiger, and buffalo, were given awards that the army on fighting could use for many
by the king and appointed as TorraGadawa days. One of the food items prepared for
(War Leader) and ShankaGadawa (Hunting such time is UncchaaKomppuwaa. This
Leader). [23] food is as oblong pan bread prepared from
There was also swimming race Enset (false banana) which inside it mixed
prepared annually in the River of Milke on a with butter and spices to preserve for long
special place called ZamoZerewa (Zamo days. So there were butter and spices inside
Dam). Those who were winners on this race it, it was full of energy. Another food item
were selected to be ready for war. The prepared for such time was the rubbed and
people of Wolaita generally practice various roasted barley locally called
military trainings to make them fitting to BanggaaShasha or in Amharic language
war such as in sholatuwaa, (the official and widely used language of
sonddepiriixtuwaa, and yaareeyedaa Ethiopia) known as YegebsQolo. Besides,
(wrestling, high and triple jump, throwing Bangga Buraatwaa that was also prepared
and swimming). [23] from barley roasted and grained and heavily
2.2. Territorial defence and traditional immersed with butter and pooled with
war system spices and salt to preserve for long time. [18]
The Wolaita had their own defense The Wolaita artisans also were
force, which was not stand by but a producing different equipment used by the
traditionally trained army that came forth people for war purposes. The Wogachiya
for war on the call of the king. Daily there (smith) produced important war tools like
was an equestrian known as Wosha Para Tora (spears), Gondoliya (shields) and
assigned on border areas to tune up and look swords. The Dagalla (tanners) made leather
around standing on mountainous or high goods like saddles, various kinds of leather
place. When any challenge came from strips, ropes and Irapaniya (a material used
border area, the kingdom’s border as mattress) and many other goods. They
protection officials of the Zuma (area) also prepared traditional medicines and the
kindled fire called Guuliyaa in Wolaita. material Dabale Danccuwaa or in Amharic
When the assigned Woshi Para (equestrian) was termed as Meqenet. They used it as
saw that fire and smoke, immediately bandage to tie up wounds of fighters with
reports to the palace using the traditional traditional medicine. [17,18]
method of transferring message saying The people used various kinds of
Guyyee Guyiyawu Waassa (run, tell to the traditional weapons mainly spears, shields
people behind you). [18,26] and swords and traditional defence
After the border threat news reach to mechanism. The Wolaita at the time of the
the king, instantly the king who was the kingdom had more than twenty-four types
commander in chief of the army makes of spears. They armed also two types of

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 Solomon Berhe Tedla et al. The Kingdom of Wolaita (Ethiopia): Military Organization and War, To 1894

shields; the first one was known as Para who reigned in the 13th century had
Gondoliya, which was relatively small and extended the territory of the kingdom from
was carried by cavalry army. The second the homeland area of Kindo to Lake Rudolf
type was termed as Tiniga, which is bigger in the south and to Bulga of Shoa in central
in size than the first one and was armed by part of the Abyssinian kingdom. He was the
the infantry. They also hold a sword to use it first to establish capital at Damot peak.
at a time of hand-to-hand combat and to cut According to the Wolaita informants, the
off the sexual organ of the enemy. [18] above-mentioned kings expanded their
Besides, the Wolaita used to dig territories to regain the former regions that
ditches, trenches and planted sharping were conquered by King Motolomi in
bamboo rods on border area grounds so that thirteenth century. [17] King Sana after he
the army of the enemy could not easily stabilized the kingdom had fought with the
crossed their borders and invade them. nearby rival peoples and states of Hadiya,
Some of the trenches, which were dug by Arsi Oromo, Guji Oromo, Sidama and
their kings in the border area, are still Kembata, and extended the frontiers to the
existed. They had a traditional technique of present areas of Ofa, Humbo, Sore, Boloso
grouping their cavalry army and quickly and Damota. [19]
riding on the enemy and attacking the King Ogato (1759-1799) had built
enemy infantry and cavalry. The Wolaita his palace on the hills of Damot, had drove
traditional army used another traditional war out the Hadiyas in the north from the
device of beating dried cattle skin to present territories of Humbo and Abaya, and
originate unpredicted and sudden sounds conquered more additional lands. He had
and perplexed the horses of the enemies. built a stronghold around his palace at
[14,17,26]
Damot hill to defend him from invaders and
Those who remained home from had built defence trench in around Sore
battlefield with permission and awareness of Mashedo. [13]
the kingdom rulers would take care of the King Amado, who reigned from
tilled land of the people that were at war; 1799 to 1834, was son of Ogato. He was
and fulfil other social responsibilities in also another expansionist king that
their respective villages. Traditional religion constructed trenches in the boundary areas.
dignitaries served in prayers and prophecy Among the trenches he built, the largest one
in order to make the defence and attacking was stretched from Qucca, south of the
of Wolaita successful against the enemy. kingdom, to the Bilate River, found in south
[18,26]
east of the kingdom and it was about sixty
The kingdom of Wolaita using the seven kilometres long. [13]
above traditional military exercise, The next warrior king was King
organization and strategy was able to protect Damote (1819-1845), inheritor of King
its territories and independence for long Ogato. King Damote was aspiring to
time. Not only defended their autonomy and consolidate the territories he received from
land but also expanded their territories in his ancestors. He had dug a trench from
counter attacks. Wolaita oral tradition Wurmuma to Bollosso, had fought with
recalls well particularly five Wolaita Kawos Qucha, Boroda and Dawro in south and
of the Tigre dynasty named Kawo Sana west directions, and expanded his territory
(1707-1748), Kawo Ogato (1759-1799), against these polities and peoples. Yet, he
Kawo Amado (1782-1819), Kawo Damote was not wise and diplomatic, instead of
(1819-1845) and Kawo Gobe (1845-1890) doing in collaboration with the people; he
for their consolidation and expansion of the attempted to achieve it by force without
kingdom. [17,24] convincing and motivating the people to do
As hinted above, the famous king of it like his predecessors. [10]
the Wolaita Malla dynasty, King Motolomi

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2.3. The value and attitude of the people addition, the trophy of the hero, if it was a
towards war and bravery wild animal or an enemy whatever it is, a
From the beginning of the state symbol of it would be hanged on a wood on
foundation in Kindo area, Wolaita is a a major road and every person that walked
warrior society. Demise Mojja quoting over that road would see it and admire the
AltayeAlaro writes, “Historically, the hero. The people would murmur for their
making of Wolaita kingdom was a result of hero saying:
bloody wars and alert defences.” [17,25] The WalooleeWaloolee
Wolaita society gave great privilege to AshohooyaaselowaaSeloo
brave person. In the society a brave person Dabaabawudaaddaara
who performed especial adventure at war Allagawuayifiyaaara
was locally known as Woraattiyaa (hero).
When a brave person showed unique heroic Meaning: Oh death snatched us our hero
performance in either killing an enemy or who was public speaker in courageous
capturing, his trophy would enable him to manner, a fearless dueler and a spear
get awards from the Kawo. He would thrower to enemy, oh our superman. [26]
receive Kallachaa (horse) and Gadiyaanne When a Worattiyaa (hero’s) wife dies the
Gaachchaa (land with servants or slaves). people, chant and murmur:
The king would allow the person to run until Olawu Odolchchaa Kooriyaaro
he stops and would grant all the land he runs Banggaa Buraatuwaa Shinqqiyaaro
over and stands as a land of his clan. He had Trans. Oh death took away our woman that
also a chance to marry from the king’s prepares a horse for fighting and Yegebes
family. [10,18] Chuko (barley flour assorted with butter) for
Besides, the king would invite him the fighter. [26]
to drink with him a distilled honey by On the graveyard of Wolaita hero, a
Buudaa Eessaa (Horn of Buffalo). He was memorial statue which was a stone pillar or
respected and appreciated by the community stele would be erected which bore the image
and was allowed to put Beleca Dundda of Attumatetta (male genital organ) that was
(silver jewellery) on his ear which was a called in Wolaita Tossaa Shuchchaay. [26]
sign of bravery. He painted his chest with In addition, the king grants awards
red soil mixed with butter. When he was and gifts such as cattle, slave and land when
going on the road to the king to show his the people repulsed the invaders and occupy
booty with chanting, every woman land of enemy. On the other hand, the
particularly those who were going to market society and the king were strictly
would cherish him congratulation and smear condemning those who remained in home
butter over his head. [18,26] refusing to go to war while the king was
Those Wolaita heroes who had a launching for a campaign and those that
skill of administration had a chance of withdrew from war front. If a man caught a
appointment on high administrative person who was hiding in home instead of
positions. Thus, in Wolaita bravery and going to war or a man that retreat from
brave persons had played significant role in front, that person would be given as a slave
consolidating and defending territories to the person that caught him. [12]
against their aggressive neighbours and In the last quarter of the nineteenth
achieved the present size and shape of century, the people of Wolaita repulsed
Wolaita land. [26] back repeated invasion of the Emperor
When a brave man dies, the society Menelik forces under his generals and
would murmur using special song just inflicted heavy causalities and damages
touching their spears to spears and shields to using their own traditional military
shields, taking out their Bisa Shohuwape organization and war strategy starting from
(sword from the sheath), and chanting. In 1887. The people made its final resistance,

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 Solomon Berhe Tedla et al. The Kingdom of Wolaita (Ethiopia): Military Organization and War, To 1894

which was one of the bloodiest wars of the wrestling, javelin throwing, swimming,
whole expansion under the leadership of horse riding and running helped them to be
their last king Kawo Tona in 1894 against skilful in war techniques, strong, and fitted
the conquering army of Menelik, which was for any type of combat.
commanded by the Emperor himself and his The society and the kings
most known generals were participated. appreciated bravery and a brave person who
[17,26]
performed unique bravery action in war or
In the war, the kingdom of Wolaita hunting. Heroes awarded various gifts from
resistance was defeated, mainly because the king such as land, slaves and other
they were using traditional military grants. Therefore, warfare helped many
weaponry whereas the army of Menelik II individuals to accumulate wealth and gain
armed with firearms. In Menelik’s privileges from the society. At the same
expansion and victory, modern weapons had time, the Wolaita society and the king
played pivotal role. Besides, the army of disgraced those who hide and retreat from
MenelikII also outnumbered the Wolaita war and sentenced to harsh punishments.
army. Thus, the long stayed Wolaita Fulfilling the military service request of the
traditional military system and organization kingdom was taken as an obligation of
that helped the kingdom to survive for every male member of the kingdom. Every
hundreds of years was lastly broken, and the other members of the kingdom including
kingdom incorporated into the Ethiopian women had their own contribution and duty
Empire. [27-29] in time of war in preparation of provisions
and taking care of the land of those who
3. CONCLUSION marched to campaign and fulfilling other
It can be concluded from this work responsibilities.
that war had significant role in the course The Wolaita military resistance and
Wolaita’s kingdom history and the people repulsion of Menelik’s generals repeated
had at the time most organized traditional aggressions, which were armed with modern
military organization and defence firearms with backward traditional weapons
mechanisms. Besides, the people during the for more than seven years, showed the
time of the kingdom had given special place strength of Wolaita military organization
to war and bravery. However, scholars have and the people. The Wolaita’s resistance
not studied this aspect of the kingdom was finally crushed and incorporated into
adequately. This article has attempted to fill Ethiopian empire in 1894 after the bloodiest
this gap. war under the command ship of Emperor
Beside utilization of negotiations, Menelik himself and participation of more
agreements and dynastic marriage alliances, than ten his most experienced generals and
war had important part in not only keeping army that was armed sophisticated and
the security and autonomy of the kingdom, advanced guns. This proved how much the
but also in expanding the territories of the kingdom’s military organization was strong
state. The Wolaita were one of the warrior except lack of guns.
peoples in the region, and under the
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 Solomon Berhe Tedla et al. The Kingdom of Wolaita (Ethiopia): Military Organization and War, To 1894

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Ethiopia, 1937-1975, Eugene: Pickwick

Publications, 2009, pp.29-41. How to cite this article: Tedla SB, Reddy BS.
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