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Grade 11 History

The document discusses the history of Ethiopia and surrounding regions during the 16th century. It covers topics like Portuguese and Ottoman involvement in the region, conflicts between Christian and Muslim powers, and Oromo population movements and social organization. The period was characterized by instability and conflict between various ethnic groups and states vying for power and influence.

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39 views

Grade 11 History

The document discusses the history of Ethiopia and surrounding regions during the 16th century. It covers topics like Portuguese and Ottoman involvement in the region, conflicts between Christian and Muslim powers, and Oromo population movements and social organization. The period was characterized by instability and conflict between various ethnic groups and states vying for power and influence.

Uploaded by

gech95465195
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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SCHOOL OF INDIANA

HOME OF VISIONARIES

GRADE ELEVEN HISTORY ` MONDAY MAY 18 2020

The period was characterized by


 Puppet emperors in the places of Gonder with un-functional power the regional lords
 Strength mesafint in different region who had built their own army and hold an ambition of expanding
their region
 Frequent wars between powerful mesafintis /warlords
 Sect division within the orthodox church named Qebat and tewahido ledet
 Foreign threats against Ethiopia coming from Egypt Europe and Turks
ZEMENE MESAFINIT

It came to an end with the rise of Kassa Hailu crowned emperor Tewodros II in 1855 with the aim of
restoring imperial power and establishing central feudal administration

While the Christian kingdom in central and northern Ethiopia was in sever crisis several independent
feudal states had flourished in different regions of the present day Ethiopia.

These includes

The Muslim sultanates of Ausa in the east , Harrar in the south east , Bale and Arsi in the south,
Wolayita and Kaffa kingdoms in the south west ;the Oromo states of the Gibbe region ( Jimma , Limu ,
Enarya ,Gera , Guma , and Goma ) Leqa Neqamte and Leqa Qelem in Wollega and Illubabur.

UNIT EIGHT
Major Events of the 16th Century Ethiopian Region & the Horn Africa
& their Impacts.
After the end of this unit, you will be able to:-Explain the involvement of Portuguese and Ottoman
Turks in the war between sultanate of Adal and the Christian highland kingdom
Analyze the traditional Oromo social and political organization and its practice.
Explain the cause and process of the Oromo population movements and expansion in the 16th and 17th
century and its consequences.
This unit includes the following sub-topics:-
8.1. Portuguese & Ottoman Turkish Rivalries in the Ethiopian Region &the Horn of Africa
8.2. Conflicts Between the Sultanates of Adal & the Christian highland Kingdom
8.3. Oromo population movements

8.1 Portuguese & Ottoman Turkish Rivalries in the Ethiopian Region & the Horn of Africa
The legend of Prester John of Indies was important for the revival of the foreign relations of Ethiopia
with Christian Europe.
Who was Prester John of Indies?
The legend was developed during the time of Crusade. The main aim was to develop the moral of
Christian Europe to against Muslim power.
The legend was about the existence of an extremely wealthy & powerful Christian king somewhere in
the East. European Christian said that the strong Christian king Prester John of Indies was marching
from India to Middle East in the support of Christian & fight against Muslim. In the 14 century,the
country of Prester John comes to be identified with the medieval Christian kingdom of Ethiopia. In
14th century the king of England Henry IV wrote letter to the Christian king of Ethiopia by
addressing him as the Prester John. In this letter the Christian king to provide a military help to
liberate the Holy land from Muslims. Portuguese, the superpower of the time search the country of the
Prester John and send delegation to Ethiopia in 1494. Egyptian sultans who did not want to see the rise
of a Christian power in the horn of Africa. Put pressure on Christian kings.
The early attempts of king Yishaq & Zar’a Ya’eqob to establish contact with Europe failed by
Egyptian influence. The Portuguese sailors succeeded in discovering new sea routers in east by
Vasco da Gama 1498 Who reached India. Portugal launched huge naval expedition to the Red sea &
Indian Ocean. The Middle East trade controlled by Ottoman Turks. The Arabs were agents during the
time. The venetian(Italian) merchant buy goods from Egypt and sold to Europe at high price Turks
immediately challenged the Portuguese. Turks used Egypt as a base to attack Portuguese naval force
in red sea & Indian Ocean. In 1517, Turks defeated Egyptian Mamluks and extended their power over
the whole country. The Portuguese during the search for a new sea route to the far east. A Portuguese
named, Pedro de Covilhao reached the court of the Christian kingdom of Ethiopia 1494. But he was
not successful to establish closer relationship between Ethiopia & Portugal. Queen Elleni(1450-1522),
the wife of Zar’a Ya’eqob & the regent ruler of the Christian kingdom, sent a Mission to Portugal in
1512. The mission was led by an Armenian Merchant called Matthew.
Elleni requested the Portuguese government for military help against the sultanate of Adal.
In 1520 Portugal sent an official diplomatic Mission to Ethiopia but after 6 years left Ethiopia except
Bermudez King Lebne Dengel(r.1508 – 1540) was the son of Naod .His force killed Emir Mahfuz in
1517. Portuguese supported Christian Ethiopia Ottoman Turkey support Adal sultanate.

8.2. Conflicts between the Sultanates of Adal & the Christian Kingdom.

After Zar’a Ya’eqob’s victory over the army of Ahmed Badley in 1445, the sultanates of Adal was
reduced to tributary status Merchants, Imams ,sheikhs emirs oppose the Christian kings Emir Mahfuz
was the other powerful Emirs launched a series of attacks during the reigns of Eskindir (1478-1494) &
Na’od (1494 – 1508) finally he was killed in a battle place by Lebne Dengel in 1517.
The next successor was Ahmed Ibn Ibrahim al Ghazi (Ahmed Gragn). According to his chronicle,
He was born to a clan called Balaw in Hubat a place located between Harar & Jijiga.
He served cavalry officer of Mahfuz. He was married Mahfuz daughter Bati Dilwambara.
He strengthened his army by instilling the spirit of Jihad. Degelham was the governor of Bali during
the time of medieval age.
In 1529 at the battle of Shimbra Qure (near,Mojo)the force of Ahmad defeat Lebne Dengel. His
command centers were Debr Ottomans sending 900 infantrymen to Imams of Adal.
The Portuguese camped in wafla waiting Gelawdos. In the battle the Portuguese suffered a crushing
defeat. Christopher de Gama was captured & killed. In 1543, the combined force of Gelawdewos &
Portuguese defeated the force of Ahmad Gragn at the battle of
Waynadega.
The Imam was shot by one of Portuguese soldiers. NB. The battle of WaynaDega brought to
dominance of sultanate of Adal in the Ethiopia region to an end.
The Consequences of the war between Christian Highland Kingdom and the Sultanate of Adal
Churches, monasteries & Mosques burnt and looted the death of many people/lose of human life.
The intermixing of different Ethnic & religious groups The end of the Sultanate of Adal The death of
Ahmed Ibn Ibrahim al Ghazi

8.3.2. Oromo Institutions & social organization.


On the eve of the 16 century movement, the Oromo was organized in to two separate confederacies
called Borena & Barentu.
Borana Confederacy includes:-
Macha-Tulama Guji &Southern Borana clans
Barentu confederacy includes:- Karayu,Ittu, Akachu,Marawa, Warantisha,Humbana and Ittu
RELIGION
Before their conversion to Christianity or Islam, the Oromo worshipped their own traditional religion.
Waqa:- the Oromo believed to be supreme God.
It refers to the sky God. The ultimate power in the universe & it is also the source of life & nature.
The power of waqa is manifested through a spirit called Ayana. Ayana intermediary between waqa &
Oromo people. Qallu:- The spiritual leader in the Oromo traditional religion.
It was highly respected by the people and can exercise great influence beyond the spiritual sphere in
Economic, political social life of the people Young and adult men vested the Qallu to get his blessing.
Qallu was also called Abba Muda the father of anointment. He got the name from the ceremony of
muda. It celebrated once in 8 years in the honors of the Qallu. The Qallu bleesed Gada officials to
govern Oromo for Eight years.

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