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61-491: The Yejju were people that were first mentioned in the 16th century Futuḥ al-Ḥabash chronicle under the name "Al-Ejju". They inhabited a district called "Qawat” located in eastern Shewa. Eventually they settled in Angot instead of returning to their home district of Qawat. According to the historian Merid Wolde Aregay they were originally Christians but many were converted to Islam by Ahmad Gran and assisted him in his conquest of

122-579: A Muslim. Wube's growing hatred for the Ras went through the roof when he openly announced that he intended to attack him, who he claimed was Muslim at the heart. He proclaimed that after he had defeated the Ras, he would install the lawful descendant of the line of Solomon, King of Kings Tekle Giorgis, who was at the time in his camp, on the imperial throne in Gondar. When Abuna Salama had arrived in Ethiopia in

183-518: A Solomonic Prince to the highest degree. Mentewab had three daughters by "Melmal Iyasu": Altash, Walata Israel, and the famous Woizero Aster Iyasu who married the powerful Tigrean warlord Ras Mikael Sehul . Empress Mentewab built several significant structures in Gondar , including her own castle in the Royal Enclosure , and a large banqueting hall as well. Most significantly she built

244-592: A church dedicated to the Virgin Mary at Qusquam (named for a site in Egypt where the Holy Family had stayed during their exile ) in the mountains outside of Gondar. Empress Mentewab also built a palace adjoining her church, which became her favored residence. In 1728, Bekkafa developed a severe illness that left him unable to govern, and Mentewab became the unofficial ruler of the kingdom. Empress Mentewab

305-568: A foothold on the coast of the Red Sea for the British monarch to take so that he may breach the wall of isolation around Ethiopia and create a bridge to Christian Europe. In 1830, Sabagadis succeeded in forming a loose coalition with the Christian rulers of Gojjam, Lasta, and Semien against Ras Marye of Yejju , the brother and predecessor of Ras Yimam. However, Ras Marye was forewarned of

366-545: A good thing To eat ears of corn which have grown in the blood Who will remember St. Micheal of November to give alms? Mariam (Marye), with five thousand Gallas, had killed him For half of a loaf, for cup of wine, The friend of the Christians has fallen at Daga Shaha." After the death of Sebagadis, the Oromo army, under a furious Ras Dori of Yejju the brother of Ras Marye, went on to ravage Tigray in revenge of

427-452: A group of Oromo princes conspired together to overthrow him. Sehul managed to flee back to his home province of Tigray. After disposing Sehul, the confederate Oromos put a "worthless" Amhara on the throne called Socinios, given the title " Kings of Kings ". In the coming decades, the guardianship of the King of Kings passed into the hands of a Yejju Oromo family. The founder of this new dynasty of

488-516: A most bloody fight in which the Ras was killed. Sebagadis had surrendered to Wube and was handed over to the Oromos to be executed in retaliation for the death of the Ras. It was said that right before his be-heading, Sebagadis said to the Oromos: I have only fought this war to defend my country, which you wished, without cause, to ruin, and of which I was the father. You may kill my body; but my soul

549-554: A period for struggle among Tigrayan nobility, Wolde Selassie would become the new governor of Tigray. In essence, the conflicts between the governors of Tigray and the Oromo lords revolved around the desire of the Tigrayans to overthrow the Oromo oligarchy and claim the title of Negesta Nagastat, while the Oromo aimed to maintain the status quo by manipulating the Amharas as puppets for their own political and social advantage. After

610-551: Is currently unknown. Angot is mentioned as being north of Bete Amhara in the medieval period. Angot was on the front line between Abyssinia and the Afar lowlands, and after multiple wars, was occupied by the Oromo tribes of Raya, Wollo and Yejju. In more recent times, it became part of Wollo Province and from 1994 it got split between Amhara and Tigray regions. The northern parts of Angot ( Raya Azebo ) become part of Tigray, and

671-453: Is in the hands of God... A year after the execution of Sebagadis, people all over the Amhara countries were still lamenting Sebagadis, despite him being Tigrayan: "Alas! Sebagadis, the friend of all, Has fallen at Daga Shaha, by the hand of Aubeshat! Alas! Sebagadis, the pillar of the poor, Has fallen at Daga Shaha, weltering in his blood! The people of this country, will they find it

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732-585: Is not known whether this mission was political, religious, or economic. In October 1841, the missionary Krapf who was in Shewa wrote the following: If Muhammad Ali will capture Abyssinia he would be able to recruit forces for the army, especially by taking and organizing... the Galla people, who will furnish him with men and horses. However, when the Belgian Consul in Egypt arrived in Gondar to negotiate with

793-473: The Ras and join his followers, he would be given Ras Ali's daughter and the governorship of his birthplace, the district of Qwara . Kassa accepted the offer but was later embarrassed to find out that the position that he was to be given in Qwara was subordinate to that of one of Mennen's weaker Muslim generals. At the end of 1845, Mennen demanded Kassa to guide the military commander of Qwara and his army into

854-629: The Ras was forced to return to help his mother who was faced with a rebellion in Agawmeder, Dembya, and Wogera. The growing tension in Dembya and Wogera had grown due to rebellious shifta leaders, specifically Kassa Hailu who were defying her authority. A far more serious threat was the coalition formed by Wube, Goshu, and Faris Aligaz of Lasta, which succeeded in subverting the loyalty of many Amharas in Begamder and Amhara by accusing Ali of becoming

915-606: The Ras , a messenger of Muhammad came to him carrying the following message signed with the seal of the Pasha: Do not fear, your friends will be my friends and your enemies will be my enemies. His words did not match his actions as later Muhammad Ali would dispatch the Egyptian army to Wehni to take advantage of the Ethiopians who were in a difficult situation with internal matters. As soon as Ras Ali's troubles were over,

976-469: The 10th century, the empire kept expanding south, and sent troops into the modern-day region of Kaffa , while at the same time undertaking missionary activity into Angot. Emperor Dil Na'od is said to have relocated the capital to Ku'bar on the shore of Lake Hayq , south of Angot, and built the Istifanos Monastery . Aksum by that time was no longer the center of the Christian kingdom, and

1037-513: The Abyna's support, leading him to be open to Abuna Salam's counsel to free Wube and restore his properties to him in exchange for minimal recompense and a pledge of loyalty. Nevertheless, the repercussions of the Debre Tabor conflict only added to Ali's predicament. However, the aftermath of the Debre Tabor battle further complicated Ali's position. Dejazmatch Merso, who had reached Semien in

1098-603: The Amhara against the enemy. Their support was decisive and Amhara nobles sent an invitation and a plea for the fighting force to stay in Gondar to defend the Negesta Nagastat and to act as a deterrent to future threats from Tigray . Many of the Oromo cavalry stayed in the Gondar region, especially after Bakaffa , who is now the Negesta Nagastat, married the widow of a high-ranking Oromo. The Oromos who resided in Gondar now would become close confidants to

1159-605: The Egyptians immediately withdrew most of their army but were caught in an ambush north of Wolkait. Muhammad Ali would later tell the French Consul-General in Egypt that the hostilities between the Ethiopians and Egyptians were never serious. The talk about conquering Gondar completely subsided by the end of 1842 as the Egyptians were so absorbed with their expansion along the Nile. After Wube's defeat at Debra Tabor,

1220-492: The Negesta Nagastat and significantly place substantial political influence within the kingdom. By the time Iyasu II , the son of Bakaffa, came into power Oromo influence in the court was enormous and unsettled the Amhara nobles who questioned Oromo authority. Afaan Oromo is to have said dominated the Imperial court. A Scottish traveller, James Bruce , who visited Gonder during the period under discussion, wrote that "Nothing

1281-606: The Oromo lords of Wollo in gaining further access to the royal court and dominating the Empire since the 1780s. The son, born of this union, was sent to Wollo and eventually returned to rule in Gondar. This period of that eventually followed would be known as the "Era of Princes", or the Zemene Mesafint . The death of Iyoas I would spark the Zemene Mesafint which would last until 1855. Ras Mikael Sehul of Tigray ,

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1342-473: The Oromo regents was Ras Ali I of Yejju , who ruled the province of Begamder and Amhara from his centre in Debra Tabor . When Sehul died in 1779, his son Wolde Gabriel succeeded him as the governor of Tigre and took up battle against the Oromo authority in Gondar but fell in battle to Ras Aligaz of Yejju , the brother of Ras Ali I. Ras Aligaz would succeed Ras Ali I after his death and after

1403-460: The Tigrayan threat. At the head of the Oromo contingents from Wollo, Yejju, Begamder and Amhara, he advanced beyond Takkaze into Tigray. Sebagadis had meanwhile mobilized his forces and the two armies met at Mai Islami near Debra Abbai . Although the Tigrayans had a superior army, due to the equipment by the British, the match-locked men were poorly employed and the Oromo cavalry won the field after

1464-486: The Yejju were of non-Oromo origin, however they were influenced by the Oromo such as in cases of intermarriage. The ethnic makeup of the Yejju is complex. One theory is that the Yejju are the results of various layers of people: the Amhara population of Angot, remnants of the forces of Ahmad Gragn, and the migrating Oromo. As a result of their expansions , the Oromo settled in modern day Wollo and established dynasties, two of

1525-470: The battle against Sebagadis. Ras Dori's disease creased upon him during the month of May when it was terminated in death. Throughout the 1830s and until the last years of the 1840s, the three most important rulers of Ethiopia were Wube a non-tigrayan ruler of Tigray, Semien, Wolkait , and Wogera, Negus Sahle Selassie of Showa, and Ras Ali II of Yejju , the grandson of Ras Gugsa through his son Alula of Yejju. The new Ras came into power in 1831 upon

1586-659: The command of their leader, Sheikh Umar, the El-Ejju would settle in Angot. This tradition states Yejju claim origin from the sixteenth century scholar Umar who had settled in the region during Adal Sultanate occupation of Ethiopia. According to historian Richard Pankhurst , Yejju in addition to their native tongue also knew the speech of the Muslims which he states was Harari . The Oromo firmly ensconced Wollo and dominated political and social life quickly in their new settlement. On

1647-399: The court of her own son Iyoas. The conflict between these two queens led to Mentewab summoning her Qwaran relatives and their forces to Gondar for support. Wubit responded by summoning her own Oromo relatives and their considerable forces. Mentewab summoned the powerful Mikael Sehul (who was to become her son-in-law) to mediate the dispute and prevent a bloodbath. Upon arriving in Gondar, he

1708-511: The day she was crowned, immediately following her coronation banquet). Following the death of her husband, Empress Mentewab took up a romantic liaison with her late husband's nephew. The Empress' much younger lover was derisively called "Melmal Iyasu" (Iyasu the Kept) by members of the court. Melmal Iyasu on his part was the paternal grandson of Emperor Fasilides by his father and the offspring of Emperor Iyasu (Adyam Seged) by his mother, making him

1769-566: The death of Ras Aligaz, his nephew Ras Gugsa of Yejju rose to power. After the death of Wolde Selassie, Tigray fell into a political crisis. The regent Oromos continued to expand into Gojjam , Semien , Showa , Lasta , and to a lesser degree, Tigray. Initially the Dejazmatch Zadwe of Gojjam and Damot tried to oppose the Oromo ascendancy and their spread into eastern Gojjam but was defeated by Ras Gugsa. Zadwe's territories were given to Ras Gugsa's son, Alula of Yejju . Until

1830-552: The death of Ras Gugsa in 1825, northern Ethiopia was relatively quiet. The death of the Ras was, however, a signal for power among all important lords in the country. Local warlords formed coalitions to overcome the regent Oromo nobility of Begamder and Amhara. In the end, Wube Haile Maryam of Semien asked Ras Yimam of Yejju , another son of Ras Gugsa, for an alliance to defeat the coalition. The political crisis in Tigray had come to an end in 1822 with Sabagadis Woldu becoming

1891-447: The death of Ras Marye. They pillaged and destroyed everything in sight, slayed all the men and women, and destroyed the province politically in disdain. As soon as they had reached Axum , Ras Dori was taken unwell and did not want the bad news to go around, so returned back to Amhara. Tigray, the only region that opposed the Oromo regents so far, were defeated and the young Wube of Semien would be given much of it for his contribution of

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1952-458: The deaths of his uncle Ras Dori. Dejamatch Goshu of Gojjam and Damot , the grand nephew of Ras Maru, often rebelled against Ras Ali II, who he believed stole his rightful title to Ras and sole ruler of Gondar. Ras Ali II was still a minor when he became the ruler of Begamder and Amhara and the guardian of the King of Kings. He was put under the guardianship of a council of the most powerful Wollo and Yejju Oromo lords who elected him. With

2013-496: The help of his mother, Mennen, he was soon able to shake off the control of the regents and his legitimacy was firm. The Ras did not take his position seriously when it came down to religious affairs and practiced a system of laissez faire. Therefore, Ethiopia was left in the hands of an infantile and lethargic ruler. By the half of 1838, it was an open secret that Wube was actively plotting to overthrow Ras Ali. He succeeded in forming an alliance with Goshu of Gojjam and Damot but

2074-455: The killer of Iyoas, became the sole leader of the kingdom. The motivation of the assassination may have had to do with the fear of Iyoas leaning towards his conservative Oromo side and his advisors being four corrupt Oromo uncles. Afraid of the politically influential Oromos who already stand in a political influential position, Sehul endeavored to win their support by granting them increased political sway and arranging royal marriages. Nonetheless,

2135-564: The last months of 1841, he was escorted to Wube's camp and was convinced by Wube of the Islamic tendencies of Ras Ali. He therefore excommunicated the Ras , and proclaimed the Ichege a heretic. On the same year, Wube's army advanced into Begamder and soon, together with his ally Goshu, captured Gondar. Wube and Goshu then proceeded to attack Ali's army who met at Debra Tabor. Both armies were similar in size, around 30,000. Ras Ali II's army

2196-476: The low-lands. However, the humility which Kassa had shown in the presence of Mennen had just been a pretence, and once in border areas, Kassa started to incite the population against Mennen. Kassa revolted and attacked isolated posts of Mennen's troops. Consequently, Mennen marched with her army to Chelega but Kassa retreated. Mennen was furious and wanted revenge but in the meantime relations between Ras Ali and Wube had deteriorated that another major contest between

2257-542: The many rebellions in his realm. Nevertheless, Wube succeeded in defeating his brother, Merso, who would later escape to Gondar. Although Wube at this point had given up his imperial aspirations of restoring the Solomonic dynasty, he had continued adopted the policy of fostering relations with the European Powers from former governor of Tigray, Sebagadis. Throughout 1845 and the beginning of 1846, Ras Ali's army

2318-501: The meantime, refused to give his brother's governorship, and the Ras was forced to march with his former enemy against his loyal ally. Moreover, the Muslim rulers who have always supported Ras Ali II, were greatly worried at the turn of events; they had objected to the grant of a governorship on their natural avenue of expansion to Aligaz, who was a Christian Oromo, and who was supported by his brother Faris Aligaz, an old enemy of some of

2379-476: The most important Muslim Wollo lords. During this already uneasy period, there were rumors that Muhammad Ali , the governor of Egypt , was planning on invading Ethiopia.On leaving Ethiopia at the end of 1839, European diplomat and explorer Arnauld d'Abbadie met an Arab notable in the house of the governor of Massawa . The notable was on a mission to Ras Ali and Dejazmatch Wube from the Pasha of Mecca; but it

2440-668: The most notable ones being the Mammedoch and the Warra Sheik. The Mammedoch dynasty had its origin from the Arsi under the leadership of their clan leader, Babo. The Warra Sheik dynasty had its origins in southern Ethiopia , who would also invade northwards, specifically Angot . However, there are other origin theories of the Yejju. According to professor Muhammad Hassan, the El-Ejju, an Oromo clan, would be converted by Ahmad Gragn and would be defeated by Christian forces thereby under

2501-519: The other side of Abyssinia , skirmishes broke out between Amhara and Tigrayan principalities for supremacy within the Abyssinian kingdom. Bakaffa I , an Amhara prince, appealed to the Oromo neighbors to assist him in battle against the Tigrayans in the north. Many Oromos did not seem to care about jockeying for power but had been in a competition for land against the Tigrayans to the north of them so they complied 20,000 well-armed cavalry to assist

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2562-472: The plot and dealt with his opponents singly. After defeating Dejazmatch Goshu in Gojjam, he marched with the bulk of his army to Lasta then quickly turned to Semien and attacked Wube. Sebagadis, who was watching his border with Lasta, did not come to the aid of his ally and Wube preferred to submit to the Ras rather than face him alone. After his success in isolating Sebagadis, Marye decided to put an end to

2623-506: The province of Bete Amhara . He also states that there can be little doubt that the Al-Ejju that are mentioned in Futuḥ al-Habasha are the forefathers of the latter known Yejju people of the Zemene Mesafint period. The Oromo partially assimilated the Yejju and called them by the name of “warra sheik”. Due to their native origin, the yejju mostly spoke Amharic and adapted themselves better than

2684-605: The reigns of her son the Emperor Iyasu and grandson Iyoas. Empress Mentewab was also known by the honorific of Berhan Mogassa (Ge'ez: ብርሃን ሞገሳ). This was to complement the honorific of her son Iyasu II, who was Berhan Seged. Mentewab was born in Qwara province . She was a daughter of Dejazmach Manbare of Dembiya by his wife, Woizero Yenkoy. Mentewab married Emperor Bakaffa in Qwara on 6 September 1722, becoming his second wife (his first wife having mysteriously died on

2745-538: The rest became part of the Amhara Region under the North Wollo Zone . Mentewab Mentewab ( Ge'ez : ምንትዋብ; c. 1706 – 27 June 1773) was Empress of Ethiopia , consort of Emperor Bakaffa , mother (and regent) of Iyasu II and grandmother of Iyoas I . She was also known officially by her baptismal name of Walatta Giyorgis (Ge'ez: ወለተ ጊዮርጊስ). Mentewab was a major political figure during

2806-688: The rest of the Oromo clans in Wollo to the traditional social and political structures of Christian Ethiopia. The Yejju dynasty were known as the "Warra Sheik", meaning; the descendant of Sheikh Omar. According to the Yejju tradition, Sheikh Omar was an Arab from the Arabia peninsula who during the Ethiopian-Adal war settled in Angot/yejju. The Yejju dynasty dominated Ethiopia during the Zemene Mesafint period. According to professor Donald Crummey

2867-420: The situation in Tigray was very much similar to that which had existed after the death of Wolde Selassie. Political crisis ensued and many pretenders fought for dominance in the different provinces. Throughout 1842 and the first half of 1843, Wube slowly established authority on both sides of Takkaze. Ras Ali II who at the beginning allied him was soon afterwards forced to march back to his own domains to suppress

2928-483: The south of Amhara bordering the Wollo country while Merso was given all of Wube's territories. Despite the victory against the coalition, the Ras 's position was war from secure. His enemies were still active in Gojjam, Damot, Dembya, and Lasta. Most of the clergy and the Christian population were against the Ras thanks to the propaganda spread by Wube and his allies. In such conditions, Ali found himself in dire need of

2989-546: The superiority of the Oromo cavalry in the field and wanted to unite all Christians of Ethiopia behind him. After this defeat by Ras Ali at the beginning of 1839, Goshu swore allegiance to the Ras and reinstated in his position. The Ras , however, took away west and north of Lake Tana and gave it to his mother, Mennen . Dissatisfied with his father's submissiveness, Goshu fought his own father whom he defeated. The current situation in Begamader had become so explosive that

3050-473: The two was expected momentarily and Mennen was forced to leave Chelega in order to support her son in the approaching crisis. While Mennen marched to join the Ras , Kassa took advantage of the opportunity by ravaging Ddembya. He entered Gondar in January 1847 and appointed his own officials in the town. Angot Angot ( Amharic : አንጎት, translated as "Neck," possibly referring to the province geography)

3111-450: The victor. It had become evident that the new governor was planning to form a Tigrayan-Amhara coalition to oppose the regent Oromos in Gondar whom he accused of being Muslims. He was convinced that modern firearms could tip the scales against the fierce Oromo cavalry, thus understanding that European support was much needed. He dispatched a letter to King George IV in which he requested for military and technical aid. Sabagadis attempted to gain

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3172-469: The west and north of Lake Tana. These areas were infested with bands of Shifta , who often raided the trade routes between Ethiopia and Sudan. One of the Shifta leaders, Kassa Hailu who was a relative to Dejazmatch Kinfu , had gained the support of the local populace and rose to much fame that the Ras and Mennen wanted him on their side. He therefore was promised that if he would declare his loyalty to

3233-494: Was a historical region in northern Ethiopia. It was bordered on the west by Bugna and the Afar lowlands to the east and southeast, Ambassel to the southwest and Lasta to the north. Angot was also bordering Tigray to the north. Portuguese explorer Francisco Álvares wrote that the boundary between Angot and Tigray was the Sabalete River located north-east of Lake Ashenge . Under the reign of Degna Djan , during

3294-409: Was continually engaged in the suppression of rebellions in the Amhara provinces and in a fruitless chase of Goshu, who had defied Ras Ali's rule. Goshu would continue to be a problem for the Ras until his fall with Kassa Hailu in 1853. Another major problem for the Ras was Abuna Salama who he had to keep under control as an asset. Empress Mennen, Ras Ali's mother, was ruler of the provinces to

3355-403: Was crowned co-ruler upon the succession of her son Iyasu II in 1730, and held unprecedented power over government during his reign. (She descended in her own right from emperors who reigned two centuries earlier.) Her attempt to continue in this role following the death of her son 1755 led her into conflict with Wubit (Welete Bersabe), Iyasu's widow, who believed that it was her turn to preside at

3416-544: Was heard at the palace but the Afaan Oromo language". In addition to this, marriage alliances between noble Yejju Oromos and elite Amharas were frequent. It was Mentewab , the wife of Bakaffa, who arranged marriage alliance between her son Iyasu II and a Muslim Oromo princess from Wollo, Wabi, the daughter of Amito, a powerful Wolloye chief. From this union, Iyoas I was born who later succeeded his father Iyasu II. This dynastic marriage alliance had remarkable importance for

3477-401: Was instead a frontier town, threatened from the west and south by the rising Bete Israel and from the north by invading Beja tribes. Angot was a much more defensible position, a decision that proved wise when Beta Israel captured Aksum during Queen Gudit 's invasion. The capital, called Ku'bar or Jarmi, was probably located in southern Tigray or Angot, however the exact location of this city

3538-421: Was made Ras . Mentewab had hoped that he would land firmly on her side, but instead Ras Mikael seized power for himself, and eventually engineered the murder by strangulation of Emperor Iyoas I, at which time Mikael also married the aunt of his victim. Empress Mentewab was distraught at the murder of her grandson. She retreated to Qusquam and buried her grandson there next to her son, and refused to return to

3599-475: Was mostly composed of Oromo contingents and was supported by Dejazmatch Merso. Wube's army was overwhelming superior in firearms compared to the Ras , who had bad relations with Christian Europe. The Battle of Debra Tabor was clearly a battle between the Christian Amhara and Tigrayan elements and the Oromo, fighting desperately to deserve their predominant position in northern Ethiopia. The battle

3660-480: Was not ready to attack the Ras just yet as the situation in Tigray was still uncertain. In fact, when Wube rushed from Tigray across Takkaze to Semien in expectation of an attack from the Ras, Kassai, the son of Sebagadis, rebelled against him and succeeded in making himself the master of most of Tigray. The situation came to an end however when Wube's superior firearms was able to destroy the rebellion. Planning to attack Ras Ali, Wube wanted more firearms to offset

3721-459: Was won by Wube and Goshu but during their subsequent celebrations, the victors were surprised by a small Oromo army led by Aligaz. Wube and his son were taken prisoners but Goshu managed to escape across the Abbay into Gojjam. Ras Ali II who escaped after his defeat with his followers returned to Debra Tabor and grudgingly rewarded the true victor, Aligaz, with the governorship of Daunt, a district to

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