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

Study Notes

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 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

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