Giddem was conquered by Asfa Woosen, grandsire to Sahela Selassie, from
Latta, the ruler of the first Mohammadan settlers. A succession of deep
valleys, stretching eastward to the very confines of the Adaiel, are
occupied by the tributary Galla tribes of Gille and Soopa, who have
become converts to Islamism--the Allala river intersecting the country
of the former, of which the principal village is Esgieye, and the Negeso
that of the latter, whose chief resides at Allaiyo. Further to the
north, where a continuation of the wild tract of forest land is visible,
the Adaie threads the district inhabited by that portion of the Wollo
who own allegiance to Shoa under the government of Efrata, and by the
Doogoogra Galla, who were also dependent, but have long been in a state
of open rebellion. Large quantities of excellent coffee are cultivated
in Manchettee and Efrata, and with the salt pieces or "amoles," which it
has been seen are imported from Tigre by the Wollo and Worra Kaloo, are
brought to Shoa by the Moslem merchants. In Giddem itself, however,
coffee is not cultivated, owing to the prejudice entertained respecting
its use by the Christian population generally. Westward of Giddem, and
interposed betwixt it and Morabietie, is the province of Mans, largest
of all the districts of Shoa, but subdivided into Lalo, Mama, and Ghera,
each of which forms a distinct government. Abiye, third king of Efat,
defeated and subjugated Gole, the then independent ruler, whose daughter
Wolensa, was the mother of Zenama Work, the Queen-dowager. This lady,
therefore, looks upon Mans as her hereditary possession, and she is much
beloved by the people, although, as regards their allegiance to the
crown, they still retain a large share of their ancient independence.
Haughty, brave, obstinate, and quarrelsome, they openly avow to have
little knowledge of Sahela Selassie--never swear by his name, as is the
usage of His Majesty's more dutiful and loyal subjects--often depose the
governors whom he appoints to rule over them--and refuse to take part in
the annual forays over the southern border, upon the grounds that they
have quite sufficient occupation in the adjustment of intestine feuds
and boundary disputes. These latter are points not always
satisfactorily adjusted in Europe--nor is it extraordinary that they
should be attended with some difficulty in Africa.
During the rebellion of Medoko, the king, in his distress, sent an
urgent message to the people of Mans, saying, "My brothers, my
relations, hasten to help me!" and pouring in at the summons, the wild
hordes arrived in time to decide the issue of the dubious day. But so
well aware is the despot of his precarious footing, that he relies
entirely upon the tact displayed by his mother, avowing her northern
subjects to be his own flesh and blood, upon whom he could not impose a
heavy taxation. The only tribute paid, therefore, is in _sekdat_, a
coarse black cloth, manufactured of the fleece of the sheep of the
country, and invariably employed in the manufacture of the royal tents.
This fabric also furnishes a costume indispensable in so rigorous a
climate, where the bleak unsheltered hills, swept by a cutting easterly
wind, rank among the coldest portions of Abyssinia. The soil is chiefly
a rich black earth, producing abundant crops, but perfectly destitute of
timber. Salt is the only circulating medium; and a man's wealth is
estimated by the number of his ploughshares, which are carefully buried
until wanted. The swarthy complexion of the inhabitants, and their
sombre habiliments, distinguish them amongst all the other subjects of
Shoa--wearers of the white cotton robe--than whom they are even more
superstitious, bigoted, and ignorant; the most enlightened amongst them
being esteemed right cunning sorcerers, and as such, dreaded wheresoever
they wander.
Mans has already been mentioned as a province famous for the lake
Alobar, the reputed residence of the King of the Genii, through which
the river Shai flows to join the Nile. Of yore, when the spot now
inundated was _terra firma_, the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared in
the house of the wealthiest cultivator residing in the many flourishing
villages that then existed, and to have addressed herself to the
mistress, saying, "I am hungry, and have nothing to eat. Give me corn,
and I will grind for wages." A vast heap of grain was pointed out,
sufficient for a week's labour, but no sooner had the Virgin touched it
than it was miraculously converted into meal. The inhospitable master
now refused the pittance claimed; nor would the "Four Chairs," before
whom the complaint was carried, give redress, until a poor shepherd had
become mediator. As a mark of the displeasure of Heaven, the scene of
this offence against the mother of Christ was forthwith converted into a
lake, which has since formed the abode of the lord of all the gins and
evil spirits in the land; and from that period large quantities of
_dabo_, or wheaten cakes, composed of the whitest flour, have been
supplied by general contribution to the shepherds on the festival of
Debra Tabor, and on the anniversary of "our blessed Lady."
Immediately north of Giddem, betwixt the frontiers of Shoa and Argobba,
is the district of Dibbie, under Abba Munsoor, a Wollo Galla of
consequence, formerly governor of Wofagabel, in the territories of
Birroo Lubo, and notorious for his personal valour. Having with a
chosen band of followers rebelled some years since against the Prince of
Argobba, he fortified himself at Arikkee, a high table-topped mountain
on the Wollo border, where he steadily rejected the terms that were
offered for his capitulation. A strong force of spearmen, supported by
a thousand musketeers and matchlock-men, was at length sent to reduce
the insurgents; but no sooner had the besiegers opened fire from a deep
defile that environs the stronghold, than five hundred of their number
were laid dead by a storm of stones from above; the residue, as usual on
such occasions, retreating in the utmost disorder. The entire scarp of
the precipitous hill had been lined with beams and rafters balancing
huge masses of rock; and the leathern thongs by which they were lashed
being simultaneously cut away by the garrison, destruction was carried
along the whole extent of the crowded ravine. After this signal
victory, Abba Munsoor abandoned his citadel, and tendering faith to
Sahela Selassie, was placed on the frontier of his former liege, where
his valour and trusty services have gained him the highest place in the
royal favour.
The dread entertained by the Christians of the independent Moslem
denizens of the low country, has been clearly portrayed by the personal
confessions of their monarch. The destruction of a single individual of
the hostile tribes, by the most treacherous means, is estimated a feat
of the greatest valour, and one that entitles the hero to the highest
distinctions. His Majesty's recent allusions to his highland
neighbours, the men of Geshe, "who carry broad shields, and fight hand
to hand," had reference to the receipt of tidings of the defeat of Ayto
Amito, one of his principal frontier governors, by Abogaz Gobassie, a
brave chieftain in the service of Birroo Lubo, who, with a large
detachment, had attacked and routed the Amhara with great slaughter.
This disastrous news had been followed by the arrival of Ayto Kalassie
from Kaa, on the west of Antzochia, with intelligence that, being unable
any longer to stem the inroads of the Wollo, he had been compelled to
take flight, leaving the enemy in possession of a fine district across
the river Wonchit, pertaining to the principality of Zenama Work.
These events caused considerable consternation in the kingdom of Shoa;
and it being apprehended that the Mohammadans would follow up their
success in the direction of Giddem, all the Wollo gunmen in the royal
service were discharged, and Christians or converted Galla slaves
enlisted in their room. A large detachment of the body-guard was then
ordered to the north for the defence of the frontier; but under the
conviction that, as on all former occasions, the Amhara cavalry would
leave them to dispute the field alone with their brave foes, they
proceeded on the service with the greatest possible reluctance, although
placed under the immediate command of Chara, the son of Medoko, who is
scarcely less renowned for valour than was his rebel father.
Birroo Lubo, the Prince of Argobba, is descended from Lubo the son of
Watsooba, who is said to have been a weaver, and who espoused the
daughter of Endries, governor of Gof. Amade, the last ruler of Worra
Himano, educated Birroo, the fruit of this union, and created him
governor of Gof, whereupon he diligently occupied himself in the
extension of his dominions, dividing his residence between that town and
Ain Amba. His elder son, Ali Birroo, met an untimely death in one of
the many border struggles with the troops of Sahela Selassie; and the
only surviving brother, Amade, who is to succeed his now aged father,
has already obtained a great reputation for personal valour in the
field. The term Argobba is applied by the Adaiel to the whole of the
border country in which cotton is cultivated. Caravans constantly come
from Aussa to Dowwe, on the frontier, the road being far more secure
than that between Tajura and Shoa; and with a view still further to
facilitate the communication, the Prince, who is extremely advanced in
years, has given one of his daughters in marriage to the chieftain of
the united tribes Hurruk Bodaito.
The next most influential personage on this frontier is Adara Bille,
surnamed, from the title of his favourite war-steed, "Abba Daghet," "the
Father of Height." This chieftain resides at Gatira, [The Cypress tree]
in the district of Changiet, and presides over the Wollo tribe Gora. As
a bribe to secure protection to messengers proceeding to the northern
states, he has received a number of villages from Sahela Selassie.
Birroo Lubo has given him his daughter in marriage, with territory in
his own dominions, and affords military aid in time of need as a check
upon the western Galla; and Imam Liban, of the powerful Worra tribe, has
likewise made considerable grants of land with a similar object. Thus
possessed of extensive power, and courted on all sides, the treacherous
chief avails himself of his position to shift the cloak according to the
wind; and, although wedded to Birroo's daughter, has never yet assisted
that ruler in his hostilities against Shoa.
Although not nominally tributary to Gondar, both Birroo and Adara Bille
afford military aid whenever called upon, and the Wollo soldiery form
the stoutest bulwark of the decayed empire. Were all these fanatic
tribes of one accord, they could not fail to endanger the safety of
Christian Abyssinia; but they are fortunately divided throughout by the
same feuds and private animosities which sever the southern Pagans.
Hating Christian and heathen with all the dire inveteracy enjoined by
their creed, and slaying both without mercy on every opportunity, the
Wollo preserve all the superstitions of the latter, below whom they are
in many respects debased by Mohammadan bigotry; thus affording a
melancholy proof of what the whole Galla nation must become, should it
ever unfortunately happen that Abyssinia terminated her intestine
struggles by falling under the grasp of a Moslem ruler. Intercourse
with the northern states has imparted to the Wollo a higher degree of
cultivation than is possessed by their countrymen in the south; and
passing nearly the whole of their time in the repetition of prayers, a
proverb and general belief prevails, that their country can never be
conquered by those who are not followers of the Prophet. This
superstition is embraced even by the Christians of Shoa, in consequence
of Ras Ali being last year defeated by the Wollo cavalry at Korkora, on
his march to invade Efat. The vernacular language of all this border is
Galla, adulterated with Amharic and with the Arabic of the Koran; which
two latter may be expected in the course of a few generations entirely
to obliterate the aboriginal tongue.
Ali Marie, the independent Mohammadan prince of Tehooladeree, wherein is
the lake Haik, has long been in firm alliance with the King of Shoa, and
twice ably assisted him against the Wollo, an important piece of
service, for which His Majesty remunerated him handsomely. It is now
two years since he was defeated by Birroo Lubo, and driven to seek
refuge at the Christian court, until, having mustered sufficient
reinforcements, he contrived, after several severely-contested battles,
to reinstate himself in his government; and it is said of this warrior,
that on the occasion of his struggle for empire, "he slew so many of the
foe with his own hand, that the clotted gore could not be effaced from
his spear blade."
Again deposed by Birroo, he was now a fugitive in Mofa, a strong
fortress to the west of lake Haik. The victor, whose pretext for the
war was Ali Marie's refusal to acknowledge allegiance to Ras Ah, has
thus, by the subjugation of the Tehooladeree Galla, obtained possession
of the entire line of road from the frontiers of Shoa to Tigre, and has,
moreover, deprived his enemy the Negoos of his staunchest and most
powerful ally. It is not a little singular, that Sahela Selassie, who
is on outward terms of friendship with Ras Ali, should have been
suffered to afford an asylum to Ali Marie, without being called to
account. On the occasion in question, the haughty but humbled fugitive
bared his shoulders to the Christian monarch, according to the
Abyssinian mode of evincing respect, remarking, as he did so, "that he
gave this token of deference for the first time during his life."
The Tulema Galla are the last to be mentioned on the northern frontier
of Shoa, and at their hands the most serious disasters and reverses have
uniformly been experienced. A former emperor of Ethiopia is said to
have married a female slave, by whom he had three children, Metcha,
Karaiyo, and Tulema. These youths were charged with the royal herds,
and being in the wilderness, and brave young men, they soon drew around
them a number of discontented vagabonds, who embraced their language and
manners, which were those of their mother, a native of the very centre
of Africa. Concerting an attack upon the southern provinces of the
empire beyond the Hawash, they defeated the imperial army on the banks
of the river Gala in Gurague, which runs south towards Zingero; but of
numerous clans and houses into which the rebels became subsequently
divided, the twelve tribes of Metcha, the Karaiyo, and the Tulema, have
alone retained their aboriginal appellation.
Attempting to invade the territory of the Abitchu and Ghelan, the Tulema
were defeated and driven to the north-west, where they established
themselves on the bleakest and most lofty highlands, and to the present
day have maintained their independence. One portion have become
converts to the Mohammadan faith, but the occupants of the mountain Dera
adhere to idolatry. Woosen Suggud succeeded in subjugating some few of
these tribes; but on the accession of Sahela Selassie, they cast off the
yoke, and being joined by a member of the blood-royal of Shoa, became
formidable enemies. Force after force has been sent against Kalala, the
capital, on the borders of Morabeitie, and always with the same result.
Birroo-Bukiza, and his successor, the brave Abba Damto, have invariably
repulsed the "soldiers of the cross," with fearful slaughter, and many
governors have been put to a cruel death. In the mind of the
superstitious Amhara, fear has gradually given birth to a belief of the
existence in these cold mountains of a race of fabulous beings called
_Arita_, to whom their reverses are attributed. The lower portion of
the body is described to be that of an ass or a black dog, whilst the
head and shoulders assume the human form, and with the gait, costume,
and language of mankind, complete a disguise which enables the monsters
to roam undetected over the border districts of Shoa, in prosecution of
their bloody career of cannibalism.
Volume Two, Chapter XLII.