Shewa Kingdom Quiz and Flashcards

Study Notes

Unit 8: Introduction

This chapter covers socio-economic and political changes in Ethiopia between the mid-16th and mid-19th centuries (1550-1850).
After the decline of the Christian Kingdom, many local states developed in southern, eastern, western, and central Ethiopia.
During this period, political power decentralized across the country.

Peoples and States of the Eastern, Central, Southern, and Western Regions

The southern states of Ethiopia can be divided into four periods.
The source of political power in these states was based on the Tato system, Kawo/Kati system, Sera/Woma system, and others.

Omotic States and Peoples under the Tato System

The Tato system was used by the Kafa and Yem states.
Kafa was founded south of Enareya, S/Gojeb, and N/Omo River.
The kingdom was known since the end of the 14th century and was ruled by a king (Tato).
The kingdom was highly organized, with a king's crown consisting of 12 objects, many of which were made of gold.
The king's duties were advising the council (Mikkerecho), regional administration, and maintaining law and order in the kingdom.

Kafa Kingdom

The kingdom had kinglets (chiefs) of districts, who wore golden armlets as insignia of office.
Sub-districts (woraafo) were in charge of a junior chief called woraafe rasho, who was responsible to the king.
The kingdom was independent from the Christian High land state and survived Oromo pressure.
Kafa governed itself as an independent state until the late 19th century.

Economy and Trade in Kafa

The economy of Kafa was based on agriculture and trade.
Coffee was the main crop, and enset was the major food crop.
The main trade items and relations were with the neighboring Oromo and Shewan states in the 19th century.

Yem State

The Yem state was ruled by a local dynasty (Gama) before the 15th century.
The dynasty was replaced by another dynasty that traced its origin from Gondar.
The new dynasty, called Mowa, ruled the Yem until the late 19th century.
The capital of Yem was Angari.
The Yem state was hierarchically organized, with key institutions similar to those of Kafa and Ennarya.

Description

Explore the socio-economic and political changes in Ethiopia between the mid 16th and mid 19th centuries in this chapter. Discover how various groups established their local states and decentralized political power across the country during this period.