The Untold Story of the Battle of Maqdala and the Struggle Between Emperor Tewodros and the Oromos
The battle resulted in a crushing defeat for the Oromos when their forces, which outnumbered those of Tewodros II by nearly ten to one, were soundly routed. This resulted in the unprecedented union of local tribes with European imperial powers.
The story of this conflict is much more than just a history lesson; it serves as an example of the power struggles and dynamics that have characterized Ethiopia’s social landscape for centuries. In this blog post, we’ll delve into the causes for this battle between England and Ethiopia, and explore the role of the Oromos in this fight. In this blog I explore The Untold Story of the Battle of Maqdala and the Struggle Between Emperor Tewodros and the Oromos.
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| Hasen Mh The Author of this Blog. |
Written By Hasen Mh the founder of the oromo history blogger
Emperor Tewodros II and His Rise to Power in Ethiopia
As a key figure in the affray between Emperor Tewodros II of Ethiopia and the Oromos, the Battle of Maqdala is an important episode in Ethiopian history. In order to understand the causes for the battle, it's essential to explore a brief summary of Tewodros' turbulent reign.
Tewodros assumed power in 1855 in modern-day Tigray, at the time part of Ethiopia. He was a highly militarized ruler who aimed to consolidate Ethiopia's regional power by uniting its fractured Christian monarchy and establishing diplomatic and trade relations with European empires. However, his expansionist ambitions sparked resistance from rival claimants to the throne and various ethnic groups, including those from resource-rich Oromoland.
To protect his rule, Tewodros clamped down on opposition by seizing foreign missionaries as hostages and strengthening his fortifications around Maqdala. This resulted in English intervention and ultimately led to his downfall.
The Oromo People: Origins and Conflict With the Ethiopian Empire
The Oromo people of Ethiopia are a proud and independent ethnic group with a long and rich history. The Oromo trace their origins to the ancient Cushitic peoples of East Africa, who first began migrating to the region in the 16th century. Over time, they developed their own culture and language, known as Afaan Oromoo, which has served as the language of the Oromo people for centuries.
In 1855, Emperor Tewodros II ascended to power in Ethiopia and sought to expand its borders southward into traditional Oromo lands. In an attempt to assert control over the region, Tewodros began a series of military campaigns against the Oromos that proved largely unsuccessful. In addition, his attempts to impose Christianity on the predominantly Muslim population of oromo drew further disapproval from many oromo groups. As tensions mounted between Tewodros’ forces and those of the oromo people, Britain’s increasing involvement in Ethiopia eventually led to the outbreak of war at Maqdala in 1868.
Tewodros’ Campaign Against the Oromos and Conquest of Their Territories
In the mid-19th century, Emperor Tewodros II of Ethiopia launched a campaign against the Oromos, conquering their territories and forcing them into submission. This campaign was part of Tewodros' efforts to centralize power in Ethiopia and expand its boundaries. It was also an attempt to put an end to Oromo resistance to his rule, as they had been challenging his authority since his ascension to the throne in 1855.
The Emperor's campaign was brutal - he sent thousands of troops into Oromo lands to pillage, rape, loot and massacre. This caused many Oromos to flee northwards - mostly into the neighboring Eritrea and Sudan -and engendered much resentment among them against the Ethiopian state.
The subjugation of the Oromos eventually led to a conflict between Ethiopia and England which ended in 1868 with the Battle of Magdala. The battle resulted in an English victory and the death of Tewodros II, but it also saw the re-establishment of Ethiopian dominance over much of what is now modern day Ethiopia. Ultimately, while Emperor Tewodros' campaign against the Oromos was successful in terms of territorial gains, it served only to further fuel resentment between him and his people which ultimately proved his undoing.
The Importance of Oromo Lands and Resources for Tewodros’ Empire
The Oromos’ lands and resources were of great importance to Emperor Tewodros II in terms of building his empire, primarily due to its large territories and a number of strategic military advantages.
The Oromos’ pastoral mode of production was threatened by Tewodros’ military campaigns, as the emperor was keen on resettling the pastoralists further away from his own imperial sites. He also sought to take control of the lucrative trade routes that led to and from the region in order to add more wealth and power to his own kingdom.
Tewodros II wanted access to the rich resources in the Oromo territory: gold, iron, horses, cattle, and slaves. The latter two were vital for expanding his army size. In addition, he wanted access to the grains grown by the Oromos for use as food supplies for his growing empire and for trading with other African states.
Tewodros’ increasing ambitions posed a threat not only to the Oromo people but also other neighboring tribes such as the Amhara people as they began struggling against him for autonomy. This made it difficult for Tewodros II to maintain a unified regime due to opposition from multiple sides. As such, tensions between Tewodros II’s Empire and Oromo people ultimately led to the Battle of Maqdala in 1868 between Ethiopia and England.
British Intervention and the Battle of Maqdala
The unrest between Emperor Tewodros and the Oromos would reach a boiling point when the British, alongside their allies, actively intervened in the conflict. In 1867, a British mission was sent to Ethiopia to demand the release of hostages taken by Tewodros during his campaigns. When the emperor refused, a war ensued which ultimately resulted in the Battle of Maqdala.
The battle itself involved thousands of warriors from both sides—the Ethiopian Solomonic forces led by Tewodros and the British with its allied contingents from Sudan, Egypt, and India—and lasted for seven days until Emperor Tewodros was ultimately defeated. During the battle, thousands of casualties were inflicted on both sides, resulting in a devastating loss for Ethiopia.
In addition to marking an important turning point in Ethiopian history, this conflict also highlights an interesting dynamic between Emperor Tewodros and the Oromos: While both sides had their grievances against each other, they also found common ground when it came to facing off against foreign forces. Thus, while Emperor Tewodros may have been an adversary to Oromia's people before this battle began, he could also be seen as a hero who stood up against imperial powers that sought to exert control over his country.
The Legacy of Tewodros’ Reign and Oromo Resistance
The Battle of Maqdala was a defining moment in the long and storied history between Emperor Tewodros and the Oromo people. This battle cemented the deep-seated animosity between the two groups and ensured that it would remain a source of tension in Ethiopia for generations.
Though Emperor Tewodros was eventually defeated by British monarchs, his legacy remains a significant part of Ethiopia’s history. His reign was marked by a commitment to modernizing Ethiopia, and though it ultimately led to his downfall, many of his reforms—such as building roads, schools, and hospitals—laid the foundation for Ethiopia's modern infrastructure.
At the same time, the Oromo people continued to resist Tewodros' rule. Over time, their methods evolved into peaceful protest as well as armed resistance. Their struggle for autonomy has long been an important part of Ethiopia’s story and remains so today, as Oromo representatives continue to assert influence in Ethiopian politics.
Ultimately, the Battle of Maqdala galvanized both groups in very different ways: while Emperor Tewodros was driven to make reforms in order to protect his kingdom from outside intervention, the Oromos were further motivated to fight for their independence and autonomy from an oppressive regime.
The Oromo People: A Thorn in Tewodros’ Side
Tewodros had a long history of trying to subdue the Oromo people. The region they inhabited was valuable due to its abundance of minerals, and Tewodros wanted it for himself. He viewed the Oromo as an obstacle to his plans of expansion and sought to bring them under his rule.
It wasn’t long before tensions between Tewodros and the Oromo reached a boiling point when in 1855 he issued a royal directive: all Oromos were now to be considered Ethiopian citizens and must pay taxes and accept his authority or face punishment. This was met with fierce resistance from the Oromo people, who refused to give up their autonomy.
Finally, in 1867, this conflict culminated in the Battle of Maqdala (also known as Magdala), where Emperor Tewodros faced off against forces led by British envoys who had come seeking the release of their kidnapped countrymen. Though Tewodros initially emerged victorious, England would ultimately prevail, leading to the emperor's defeat and death.
The Battle of Maqdala was a defining moment in the struggle between Ethiopia's monarchy and the Oromo people for control of land and power. Though much has changed since then, this fight still rages on as Ethiopia continues its quest for self-determination.
Conclusion
The Battle of Maqdala was an important clash between two very different groups of people. Though it resulted in a great loss for the Oromos, their ongoing struggles and resistance demonstrate the importance of their culture and identity.
This battle highlights the power of resistance, and the importance of standing up for what one believes in. The Oromos stood their ground in the face of adversity, and their culture and identity lives on to this day.
Emperor Tewdross of Ethiopia and the Oromos of East Africa had a long history of conflict, and the Battle of Maqdala was an important moment in their story. While it resulted in a heavy loss for the Oromos, their courage and determination should never be forgotten.
References
The oromo of Ethiopia by professor Muhammad Hasen Download hear
The oromo and Christian highland kingdom
The conflict between the Ethiopia and the oromo people by alemayehu kumsa. Available heare
This is the best blog i have ever read on oromo history keep it uo
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