Politics and Socio-Cultural Processes in 16th-18th Centuries

Unit Five: Politics, Economy, and Socio-Cultural Processes (10 hrs)

• Studies the period from early 16th to the end of the 18th century
• Covers interactions between states, foreign interventions, religious controversies, population movements, and integration of peoples across ethnic and religious diversities

5.1 Interaction and Conflicts between the Christian Kingdom and the Sultanate of Adal

• Deals with the interactions between the Christian Kingdom and the Sultanate of Adal

5.2 Foreign Interventions and Religious Controversies

• Discusses foreign interventions and religious controversies during the period

5.3 Population Movements

• Examines population movements during the period

5.4 Interaction and Integration across Ethnic and Religious Diversities

• Analyzes the interactions and integration of peoples across ethnic and religious diversities

5.5 Peoples and States in Eastern, Central, Southern, and Western Regions

• Studies the peoples and states in different regions

5.6 The Period of Gondar (1636-1769) and Zemene-Mesafint / Era of the Princes (1769-1855)

• Covers the major conditions and achievements of the period of Gondar and the era of princes

Unit Six: Internal Interactions and External Relations in Ethiopia and the Horn, 1800-1941 (10 hours)

• Examines the internal interactions and external relations in Ethiopia and the Horn from 1800 to 1941

6.1 The Nature of Interactions among Peoples and States of Ethiopia and the Horn

• Analyzes the nature of interactions among peoples and states of Ethiopia and the Horn

6.2 Power Rivalry

• Discusses power rivalry during the period

6.3 The Making of Modern Ethiopian State

• Examines the making of the modern Ethiopian state

6.4 Modernization Attempts

• Covers modernization attempts during the period

6.5 Socio-Economic Issues/Developments

• Studies socio-economic issues and developments during the period

Historical Sources

• Futuh al Habesha (The Conquest of Abyssinia) by Shihab al-Din provides eyewitness accounts of conflicts between the Christian kingdom and the Muslim principalities in the 16th century
• Al-Haymi's account of the Yemeni delegation to the court of Fasiledes (r. 1632-67) provides firsthand information about the Oromo population movement
• Aba Bahrey's Amharic script, the History of the [Oromo], provides information about the Oromo population movement in the 16th century
• Missionary sources, including The Prester John of the Indies by Francisco Alvarez, provide information about religious and political developments within Ethiopia and the country's foreign relations
• Travel documents also contributed to the development of Ethiopian historiography

Agriculture and Domestication

• Farming practices evolved from using sticks or hoes to ox-drawn ploughs
• Farmers acquired surplus produce to exchange with craftsmen for better tools and clothes
• Intermediaries (traders) began to buy products to take to markets and sell
• Domestication of plants, including Eragrotisteff/poa abyssinica, dagussa/Eleusine Coracana/millet, nug/Guzotia Abyssinica/oilseeds, and Ensete Ventricosum, took place in Ethiopia and the Horn
• Ensete edule was widely cultivated in central and northern Ethiopia until increasing demands of states forced farmers to cultivate cereals like teff

Archaeological Evidence

• Neolithic material culture is attested from Laga Oda, Gobdura rock shelter, Fakeda, Aqordat, and Barentu in Eritrea
• Archaeologist Dombrowiski excavated chickpeas and vegetables at Lalibela cave near Lake Tana
• Evidence of domesticated cattle comes from Lake Basaqa near Matahara, Playa Napata & Kado in Sudan, and Futajalon in West Africa

The Peopling of the Region

• The Beta Israel/Ethiopian Jews practiced Haymanot, a religious practice that differs from Rabbinic Judaism
• Many Beta Israel accounts of their origins stress ancient migration from the Tribe of Dan to Ethiopia, led by sons of Moses, perhaps during the Exodus (1400-1200 B.C.)
• Alternative timelines include migration during the split of the northern Kingdom of Israel from the southern Kingdom of Judah or during the Babylonian Exile
• Other Beta Israel accounts include the return to Ethiopia of Menilek I, who is believed to be the son of King Solomon and Makeda, ancient Queen of Saba/Sheba
• The Jewish community developed and lived in northern and northwestern Ethiopia for centuries, concentrated in over 500 small villages spread over a wide territory

Christianity

• Evidences show that Aksumite King Ezana (r. 320-360 AD) dropped pre-Christian gods and embraced Christianity
• Syrian brothers, Aedesius and Fremnatos, played a key role in the conversion of King Ezana