Ethiopian Kingdom of Kafa

Kafa Kingdom

• Located south of Enareya, between the Gojeb and Omo River
• Known since the end of the 14th century
• Ruled by a king with the title Tato, with a hereditary kingship
• Advisory council of nobles called Mikkerecho assisted the king
• Mikkerecho chose the king's successor, not necessarily the eldest son
• Bonga was the center of the kingdom, with Anderecha as a second seat
• Kafa was an independent kingdom from the Christian Highland State
• Influenced by the Christian kingdom, but maintained independence
• Economy based on agriculture and trade, with coffee as the main crop
• Major trade items included ivory, masks, honey, coffee, enslaved people, and gold

Kafa's Defense and Trade

• Had a tradition of digging deep trenches called Kuripo as a defensive barrier
• Strong internal political organization and defense system enabled independence
• Had considerable trade relations with neighboring Oromo and Shewan states
• Trade relations continued until the late 19th century

Yem State

• Established a state before the late 16th century
• Power was transferred from a local dynasty called Gama to another dynasty called Mowa
• Mowa ruled Yem until the late 19th century from its capital at Angari
• Hierarchically organized, with similar institutions to Kafa
• Key institutions included the king called Tato or amno, and councilors called astessors
• Council nominated the king's successor, made decisions on wars, foreign relations, and administration
• Influenced by Orthodox Christianity, but discontinued after the Oromo arrival

Yem's Relations and Conflicts

• Managed to repulse the Oromo in the Gibe region
• Raids and counter raids between Yem and the kingdom of Jimma continued until the late 19th century

Omotic States and Peoples under Kawo/Kati system

• The Omotic States of Wolaita, Gamo, Gofa, Dawuro, and Konta practice similar political structures
• Wolaita lives between the Bilate River and Omo River
• Gamo people live in the Gamo highlands
• First mention of Wolaita and Gamo in written records dates to the 15th century
• Led by a hereditary king Kawo, whereas the Dawro and Konta people used the title Kati