Zemene Mesafint

PowerPoint prepared by Besrat Gezu

April 2022
Zemene Mesafint
Sabrakussa – 1771
May Aslamay – 1831
Shewa – was the only region which did not tale part in
the wars of the Zemene Mesafint.
Fitsame Mengist (Tekle-Giorgis - r. 1789 - 1800) was the
one who enthroned and dethroned six times within 11
years during the Zemene Mesafint.
Zemene Mesafint
Why the regional lords of the Zemene Mesafint fought
each other?
1st. To expand their territories at the expense of
their neighbors
2nd. Wanted to have the title of Ras Bitweded to
become guardian of the weak Gondarine kinds
3rd. Wanted to collect as much tribute as possible
Zemene Mesafint
Battles fought between Kassa Hailu the regional lords
of the Zemene Mesafint
- Gur Amba – Kassa v. Dej Goshu Zewdie - 1852
- Gorgora Bichen - Kassa v. Dejj. Biru Aligaz - 1852
- Ayshal - Kassa v. Ras Ali II - 1853
- Deresgie – Kassa v. Dejj. Wube – 1955

Fin ally crowned as Emperor Tewodros II, in February

1855 @ Deresgie Mariam Church
Peoples and States in S, W, C and E
Ethiopia
Kaffa
Independent southern state
The only southern state saved from the CHK
attack
Survived from the Oromo pressure in the three
successive kings
Title of kings – Tato
Peoples and States in S, W, C and E
Ethiopia
Kaffa…
Christianity and title of kings introduced from
Enarya
Dynasties – Matto and Minjo
Council of advisors – Mikrecho
1897 – incorporated into Menilek’s empire
Last ruler – Tato Gaki Serecho
Peoples and States in S, W, C and E
Ethiopia
Wolayta
Was a southern state
Tributary state to the CHK until the wars of Imam
Ahmed Gragn
Title of Kings – Kawo
Important product of the kingdom - Ensat
1894 - incorporated into Menilek’s empire
Last ruler – Kawo Tona
Peoples and States in S, W, C and E
Ethiopia

Classwork
List other southern states in the medieval
period
Peoples and States in S, W, C and E
Ethiopia
The Gibe Oromo States
After the OPM, Gada System was declined, which was
followed by transformation of the Gada system and
beginning of the monarchical system.

The Oromos adopted the monarchical system of their

neighbors by abandoning the Gada system

The war leaders (Abba Dulas ) became Motis (kings) by

taking much of the war booties for themselves and built
up private armies
Peoples and States in S, W, C and E
Ethiopia
The 5 Gibe Oromo States
Limmu Enarya
- earliest Gibe state
- established on the territories of the older state of Enarya
- strategic location to control the LDT
- strongest ruler - Abba Bogibo/Ibsa (r. 1825-1861)
- capital - Saqa
Jimma
- emerged stronger than Limmu-Enarya since the middle of 19th C
- strongest ruler - Abba Jifar I (r. 1830 -1855)
- known for coffee and slave trade
- submitted to Menilek II in 1881 under its ruler Abba Jifar II (r.
1875 – 1934)
Peoples and States in S, W, C and E
Ethiopia
The 5 Gibe Oromo States…
Gumma
- emerged in the first decade of the nineteenth century
- strongest ruler - Oncho Jilcha
- he was in successive wars with neighbor states
Gomma
- became important since 1820
- strongest ruler - Abba Mano
- the earliest Gibe state to accept Islam
Gera
- became a well known around 1835
- strongest ruler - Tullu Gunji – warrior and good administrator
- was in great conflict with Gumma
Peoples and States in S, W, C and E
Ethiopia
The Wollega Oromo States
Leqa Naqamte
- founded by Bakare Godana
- succeeded by Moroda Bakare and Kumsa
Moroda
Leqa Qellam
- founded by Tullu
- succeeded by his son Jote Tullu
 Their economy was based on agriculture and trade
along the Ethio-Sudanese frontier
 They had trade relation with Funj Sultanate of Sudan