Documenti di Didattica
Documenti di Professioni
Documenti di Cultura
By Tesfaye Habisso H.
“ History is for human self- knowledge. Knowing yourself means knowing, first, what it is to be person;
secondly, knowing what it is to be the kind of person you are; and thirdly, knowing what it is to be the
person you are and nobody else is . Knowing yourself means knowing what you can do; and since
nobody knows what they can do until they try, the only clue to what man can do is what man has done.
The value of history, then, is that it teaches us what man has done and thus what man is.” (R.G.
Collingwood)
Foreword
From time immemorial Ethiopia had been a museum of many peoples of diverse origins. For me as
well for many Ethiopians, a comprehensive history of these peoples has always been a kind of romantic,
unreachable dream. No historian has yet attempted to tackle this challenging task. Most of the hitherto
written history of Ethiopia which begins in the later Middle Ages from the pens of monks and court
historians and whose main purpose is the laudation of Abyssinian kings does not deal with the
comprehensive history of Ethiopia and the Ethiopians at large. It does not particularly touch upon the
history of the regions and peoples incorporated by Emperor Menelik II to the Ethiopian Empire-state
towards the end of the 19th century.
These regions, though they had their own independent kingdoms and sultanates as well as loosely
confederated traditional polities, had no written languages of their own; they had no court historians and
thus no written history. Hence it will be the duty of historians, particularly those from these regions, to
write the history of their peoples so that the history of modern Ethiopia will be complete. Many outsiders
had attempted to write the history of Ethiopia and the Ethiopians based on inadequate data and
information, and sometimes relying on secondary sources and hearsay. On this point the Ethiopians
themselves, I believe, would/should have quite a bit to say and say it clear and loud now.This manuscript
on the history of the Kambata people however is not a pioneering historical document or research work
produced by me; it is primarily a compilation of scattered secondary or written source material recorded
by missionaries and monks, professional historians, jurists, administrators and politicians concerning this
part of Ethiopia which, I hope, will help for writing in the future a comprehensive history of the people. Be
this as it may, writing the history of any people, most of all the history of a non-literate people, is a very
difficult and sensitive issue—a complex and complicated project fraught with controversies and
disagreements. As The Universal World Reference Encyclopedia cautions:
“Since history is concerned with human activity, and since human activity expresses itself in a
variety of ways, there are histories that correspond to these diverse expressions. To write about any
individual or [group] or field of human endeavor a historian must do more than chronicle events, names,
and dates. These are but the crude makings of history; they must be refined through an intellect and
imagination capable of relating one to
another, rejecting the unimportant, and highlighting that which will throw the subject into a proper
perspective. Thus the gathering of information is but a small part of the historian’s task. Even while he is
collecting his sources and extracting information from them, he must be concerned with their
trustworthiness. Indeed, the historian must forever be on guard against bias in any source that he uses. In
addition, as he begins to write his own history, he must be as fair to the facts as he has expected his
sources to have been. Of course, the history that he writes will be conditioned by his temperament,
including his preconceptions, as much as by the motive and purpose of his research. These variations in
human temperament and motives help to explain the frequent multitude of histories on one subject, and
temperament and motives are greatly influenced by the period in which a historian lives. All written history
is a compound of past and present. Thus, there are no final analyses
in history, no universally accepted conclusions. History can be made to serve every conceivable theory
and temperamental peculiarity….” [The Universal World Reference Encyclopedia, Consolidated Book
Publishers, Chicago, 1964, Vol. VII, P. 2477]
It is taking into considerations the above-mentioned precautions and guidelines that this compiled
historical account on the Kambata people must be perused and utilized as a source material for further
research. My modest attempt to present a short history of Kambata—a region and a people long known
by this name—is based on oral traditions and legends, and some written records. I present this history of
the Kambata people not for personal fame and glory, nor for riches, nor honors but for choosing to be
who I am and the recognition and respect of my ethnic and cultural identity, which no good man gives up
except with his/her soul, his/her cultural identity and liberty. As the first President of the Republic of
Botswana, Sir Seretse Khama, once said:
“ A nation without a past is a lost nation. And a people
Without a past is a people without a soul.”
I wish someone better qualified than myself had met this need, but suggestions and persuasions in many
directions have so far produced no satisfactory results. Besides, I remember quite well the bitter
memories of Abebe Abura when he published a small booklet entitled, “ A Short History of Kambata” (in
Amharic) some three decades ago; he was unmercifully criticized and condemned by many Kambata and
Hadiya elites/scholars for writing allegedly inaccurate and fictitious history of these peoples. No one
appreciated, at least, his maiden effort in writing the history of the Kambata and Hadiya peoples. Again,
no one forwarded any constructive critique on the book except negative and destructive condemnation.
Ever since that time no Hadiya or Kambata historian or any other intellectual in the area of the social
sciences better qualified for the task has committed himself/herself and his/her energy, time and
resources to write a less controversial and a more consensual sort of history, so to speak, of either
Hadiya or Kambata, or both. This is a paradox no one can decipher: Don’t we want our written history?
Don’t we have the conviction and desire to write it? Why oppose or condemn any effort, however
palatable that may be to some, when some of our own scholars or patriotic citizens try to write about their
peoples? After all, there is no history that is, and can be, written once and for all, and this is true for any
research output in the field of the social sciences in general. No one can claim to have the ultimate
wisdom in any area of intellectual pursuit; we are all fallible. The search for more and more knowledge is
a continuous process. No one is omniscient and all knowing. This naked truth should guide us all when
we endeavor to produce or peruse any historical document in particular.
Call it nationalism or anything; I want to see the written history of my people. I believe every individual
must be proud of his people and his ethnic nationality; so also his ethnic and civic nationalism as well.
And because the history of my people has not yet been dealt with at length by any historian so far, I
earnestly seek to provide to the public any available information, oral or written, that might help to fill this
vacuum.
As mentioned earlier in this manuscript, Ethiopia had been, and still is, a museum of many
peoples of diverse origins, customs, cultures, religions/faiths and other peculiarities, but not a museum of
many written histories of these peoples. There is no people without history; large or small every people
has its past, its present and its future history. This is what the Southern Ethiopians in general and the
Kambata in particular must be fully aware of; they must also be aware of the fact that they and their
peoples are no less, no better Ethiopian than the rest of their countrymen and women; they must write
their histories in order to avoid an identity crisis for themselves and their children. It is in this spirit that I
attempted to compile this brief history of the Kambata people.
Certainly I do not claim that the picture presented in the following pages, built out of a mosaic of
evidence from historical records, from contemporary documents and many living witnesses, is wholly
accurate and I should welcome any corrections that informed readers can offer me. This manuscript is a
provisional and interim venture; it will fulfill its purpose if it provokes the writing of a definitive or a less
controversial work and if it fills the gap until that is done.
Appendix I
List of Major Clans of Kambata
No. Name of clan Claimed Origin of Approx Period
Migration of Migration
Oyeta (Ras Hamalmal’s Gondar 16th century
Dynasty)
Gulba Bulga (shoa) 16th “
Nurto Gondar 16th “
Hajibbo (Hate) Amhara Gayint Before 15th century
Ongot (ta) Gayint “ “ “
Ennagos /Dildiy/ Amhara Gayint 17th century
Quntanno Gondar 16th “
Sintarro Gondar 16th “
Qorandi- Amhara Manz (Shoa) 17th “
Ennagari- Amhara Manz, Enner Gurage 17th “
Garado- Amhara Garado (Wollo) 18th “
Abrahmi- Amhara Manz (Shoa) 17th “
Wolde-Amhara Manz (Shoa) 18th “
Dawaro Manz (Shoa) 18th “
Masmas(a) Chilga (Gondar) 16th “
Agawa Agewmedir (Gojjam) 16th “
Gafat (a) Gafat (Wollo) 15th “
Dola(Dubamo) Gondar 16th “
Gojjinna (“) Gondar 16th “
Golacha (“) Gondar 16th “
Gojjinna (“) Gondar 16th “
Gulla (“) Gondar 16th “
Suara (“) Gondar 16th “
Zambochicho Gondar 16th “
Badogo Dallo (Bale) 16th “
Damota (Woshbirra) Arsi, Gadab, Wolayta 18th “
Dada Arsi, Endegagn 19th “
Dawe Arsi-Dida’a 18th “
Farzanno (Farzanna) Albaso (Arsi) 18th
Zato Borana (Oromo) 17th ”
Bonoso Yem, Jimma 17th “
Gabara Arsi-Did’a 18th “
Gadena Arsi 18th “
Galla(Adamogne) Wabi Shebele, Arsi 18th “
35. Gora Jimma 18th “
Gorakama Jimma 18th “
Gujji Gujji -Oromo 18th “
Hambarazo Arsi 18th “
Qarisso Eka (Arsi) 19th “
Malga Arsi, Sidama 16th “
Wolleqa Wollega-Oromo 18th “
Womallo Borana 18th “
Worarra Werera (Arsi) 18th “
Yabbu Kalalle(Zwai lake) 18th “
Haballo Dallo (Bale) 16th “
Hayiba Dallo (Bale) 16th “
Hojje Dallo (Bale) 16th “
Qilemanna Dallo (Bale) 16th “
Jawarro Gadab (Wabi Shebelle) 19th “
Godicho Gadab (“ “) 19th “
Sarorre Gadab (“ “) 19th “
Gonderomma Dallo(Bale) 16th “
Haderamma Dallo(Bale) 16th “
Muta Dallo(Bale) 16th “
Zedinno Dallo(Bale) 16th “
Doda Dallo, Gadab 19th “
Awda Sidama 17th “
Malge Sidama 15th “
Ennerra Sidama 15th “
Jigga Sidama 18th “
Jumma Sidama 18th “
Hessesse(ta) Sidama, Borana 18th “
Churrissa (Donga) Sidama, Guraghe 16th-17th “
Lambuda (“) “ “ 16th-17th “
Lanchamo (“) “ “ 16th-17th “
Magalalle (“) “ “ 16th-17th “
Mattafarsa (Donga) Sidama, Guraghe 16-17th century
Orgo (“) Sidama, Guraghe 16-17th “
Sintyanno (“) “ “ 16-17th “
Adde (Tembaro) Yemerrra (Sidama) 16th “
Ajjarra (“) “ “ 16th “
Qutna (Quunna) (Tembarro) “ “ 16th “
Sambata (“) “ “ 16th “
Tase (“) “ “ 16th “
75. Wajja (“) “ “ 16th “
Yagga (“) “ “ 16th “
Hinnira Wolayta, Ennariya 15th “
Goromma Wolayta 18th “
Bubulla Wolayta 19th “
Makuta Gamo 18th “
Damota Wolayta 18th “
Derreja Gamo 18th “
Dubbo Borana; Qucha, Dubbo(Wolayta) 18th
Goromma Wolayta 18th century
Tigra- Wolayta Kindo, Kosha(Wolayta) 18th “
Weshesha Wolayta, Donga, Danta 18th “
Zakete Qucha (Gamo-Goffa) 18th “
Borojmalla (Borodamalla) Qucha (Gamo-Goffa) 18th “
Effegenna Gedeo 16th “
Ebejjena Gedeo 16th “
Guna Guna(Lemo) 19th “
Odro Lemo-Hadiya 19th “
Moche Badawacho-Hadiya 19th “
Tarachmanna Shashogo- Hadiya 19th “
Annashakko Alaba, Qabena 19th “
Azera Azernet –Berbere 18th “
Dada Endegagn(east Guraghe) 19th “
Endanna Ennariya, Endegagn 18th “
99. Gejja Geja(North Guraghe) 18th “
100. Ganz Ganz (Qabena) 15-18th “
101. Jorra Enner- Guraghe 18th “
102. Omoshogorra Ennariya, Masmas, 18th “
Enamor-Guraghe
103. Yangaro Janjero [Yem] 17th “
104.Saga Guraghe Before 15th “
105. Werreza Qabena/Guraghe, 17th “
106. Fuga(Annosa, Masmas, Guraghe, Before15th “
Badagosa, Bidirra Ennariya
Boriye, Bosha, Gacha,
Gajicho, Gashdessa,
Gauwossa, Hojiya (Hokiya)
Marenmanna, Masmassa,
Nega’a, Tontosa (Dontosa),
Woiyoso)
References
1. Atme, G.M. History of the Galla (Yegalla Tarik), part I translated by Bairu Tafla, O.O. (Ms)
Azais, R. P.and R. Chambard , 1942.
2. Braukamper, Ulrich, Die Kambata Franz Steiner Verlagh GMBH, Weisbaden, 1983
3. Buckingham, C.F. and G. B.W. Huntingford (Eds.). Some Records of Ethiopia 1593-1646; Being
Extracts from the History of High Ethiopia or Abassia by Manoel de Almeida together with Bahrey’s
History of the Galla [Oromo ],(Hakluyt Society II, CVII), London
4. Cerulli, Ernesta Peoples of South –west Ethiopia and Its
Borderland, London, 1956
5. Ethiopia: The 1994 Population and Housing Census of Ethiopia,
CSO, 1994, Addis Ababa
6. Haberland, E. The Influence of the Christian Ethiopian Empire on Southern Ethiopia , In
Journal of Semitic Studies IX: 235-38
7. Hodson, A. Seven Years in Southern Ethiopia , London, 1927
8. Leslaw, W. Additional Notes on Kambata of Southern Ethiopia, In: Arthropods 51, 5/6 :985-
93 , 1956
9. Leslaw, W. Notes on Kambata of Southern Ethiopia, In: Africa, XXII:348-59 , 1952
10. Ludolph(us),J. A New History of Ethiopia: Being a Full and Accurate Description of the Kingdom
of Abyssinia, vulgarly though Erroneously called the Empire of Prester John, London, 1682.
11. Moreno, M.M. Appunti di Cambata e di Alaba, In: RRAL, ser. VI, XIV,3/4 =269-79
12. Singer, N.J. The Use of Courts as a Key to Legal Development: an Analysis of Legal
Attitudes of the Cambata of Ethiopia, In Proceedings of the First United States Conference of Ethiopian
Studies, 1973. s. 365-83 East Lansing , 1975
13. Singer, N.J. Some Notes on the origin of the Cambata of southern Ethiopia, Tuscaloosa
(Ms.), 1977.
14. Singer, N.J. The Relevance of Traditional Legal Systems to Modernization and Reform: a
Consideration of Cambata Legal Structure, In Tubiana, J. (Ed.), Modern Ethiopia :From the Accession of
Menelik II to the Present, S.. 537 -56 ,Rotterdam , 1980
15. Yigezu,s. Kambata Awraja: Its People and Local Administration, Addis Abeba
(Ms)1970.
16. Dagana Bafutte Did’ana Oral History of Kambata, 1986. The late Dagna Bafutte Did ‘ana was a
well known Oyeta notable who died at the age of 90 in 1992.
Appendix I
List of Major Clans of Kambata
No. Name of clan Claimed Origin of Approx Period
Migration of Migration
Oyeta (Ras Hamalmal’s Gondar 16th century
Dynasty)
Gulba Bulga (shoa) 16th “
Nurto Gondar 16th “
Hajibbo(Hate)Amhara Gayint Before 15th century
Ongot (ta) Gayint “ “ “
Ennagos /Dildiy/ Amhara Gayint 17th century
Quntanno Gondar 16th “
Sintarro Gondar 16th “
Qorandi- Amhara Manz (Shoa) 17th “
Ennagari- Amhara Manz, Enner Gurage 17th “
Garado- Amhara Garado (Wollo) 18th “
Abrahmi- Amhara Manz (Shoa) 17th “
Wolde-Amhara Manz (Shoa) 18th “
Dawaro Manz (Shoa) 18th “
Masmas(a) Chilga (Gondar) 16th “
Agawa Agewmedir (Gojjam) 16th “
Gafat (a) Gafat (Wollo) 15th “
Dola(Dubamo) Gondar 16th “
Gojjinna(“) Gondar 16th “
Golacha ( “) Gondar 16th “
Gojjinna(“) Gondar 16th “
Gulla(“) Gondar 16th “
Suara(“) Gondar 16th “
Zambochicho Gondar 16th “
Badogo Dallo (Bale) 16th “
Damota(Woshbirra) Arsi, Gadab, Wolayta 18th “
Dada Arsi, Endegagn 19th “
Dawe Arsi-Dida’a 18th “
Farzanno(Farzanna) Albaso (Arsi) 18th
Zato Borana (Oromo) 17th ”
Bonoso Yem, Jimma 17th “
Gabara Arsi-Did’a 18th “
Gadena Arsi 18th “
Galla(Adamogne) Wabi Shebele, Arsi 18th “
35. Gora Jimma 18th “
Gorakama Jimma 18th “
Gujji Gujji -Oromo 18th “
Hambarazo Arsi 18th “
Qarisso Eka (Arsi) 19th “
Malga Arsi, Sidama 16th “
Wolleqa Wollega-Oromo 18th “
Womallo Borana 18th “
Worarra Werera (Arsi) 18th “
Yabbu Kalalle(Zwai lake) 18th “
Haballo Dallo (Bale) 16th “
Hayiba Dallo (Bale) 16th “
Hojje Dallo (Bale) 16th “
Qilemanna Dallo (Bale) 16th “
Jawarro Gadab (Wabi Shebelle) 19th “
Godicho Gadab (“ “) 19th “
Sarorre Gadab (“ “) 19th “
Gonderomma Dallo(Bale) 16th “
Haderamma Dallo(Bale) 16th “
Muta Dallo(Bale) 16th “
Zedinno Dallo(Bale) 16th “
Doda Dallo, Gadab 19th “
Awda Sidama 17th “
Malge Sidama 15th “
Ennerra Sidama 15th “
Jigga Sidama 18th “
Jumma Sidama 18th “
Hessesse(ta) Sidama, Borana 18th “
Churrissa (Donga) Sidama, Guraghe 16th-17th “
Lambuda (“) “ “ 16th-17th “
Lanchamo (“) “ “ 16th-17th “
Magalalle (“) “ “ 16th-17th “
Mattafarsa (Donga) Sidama, Guraghe 16-17th century
Orgo (“) Sidama, Guraghe 16-17th “
Sintyanno (“) “ “ 16-17th “
Adde (Tembaro) Yemerrra (Sidama) 16th “
Ajjarra (“) “ “ 16th “
Qutna (Quunna) (Tembarro) “ “ 16th “
Sambata (“) “ “ 16th “
Tase (“) “ “ 16th “
75. Wajja (“) “ “ 16th “
Yagga (“) “ “ 16th “
Hinnira Wolayta, Ennariya 15th “
Goromma Wolayta 18th “
Bubulla Wolayta 19th “
Makuta Gamo 18th “
Damota Wolayta 18th “
Derreja Gamo 18th “
Dubbo Borana; Qucha, Dubbo(Wolayta) 18th
Goromma Wolayta 18th century
Tigra- Wolayta Kindo, Kosha(Wolayta) 18th “
Weshesha Wolayta, Donga, Danta 18th “
Zakete Qucha (Gamo-Goffa) 18th “
Borojmalla (Borodamalla) Qucha (Gamo-Goffa) 18th “
Effegenna Gedeo 16th “
Ebejjena Gedeo 16th “
Guna Guna(Lemo) 19th “
Odro Lemo-Hadiya 19th “
Moche Badawacho-Hadiya 19th “
Tarachmanna Shashogo- Hadiya 19th “
Annashakko Alaba, Qabena 19th “
Azera Azernet –Berbere 18th “
Dada Endegagn(east Guraghe) 19th “
Endanna Ennariya, Endegagn 18th “
99. Gejja Geja(North Guraghe) 18th “
100. Ganz Ganz (Qabena) 15-18th “
101. Jorra Enner- Guraghe 18th “
102. Omoshogorra Ennariya, Masmas, 18th “
Enamor-Guraghe
103. Yangaro Janjero [Yem] 17th “
104.Saga Guraghe Before 15th “
105. Werreza Qabena/Guraghe, 17th “
106. Fuga(Annosa, Masmas, Guraghe, Before15th “
Badagosa, Bidirra Ennariya
Boriye, Bosha, Gacha,
Gajicho, Gashdessa,
Gauwossa, Hojiya (Hokiya)
Marenmanna, Masmassa,
Nega’a, Tontosa (Dontosa),
Woiyoso)
References
1. Atme, G.M. History of the Galla (Yegalla Tarik), part I translated by Bairu Tafla, O.O. (Ms)
Azais, R. P.and R. Chambard , 1942.
2. Braukamper, Ulrich, Die Kambata Franz Steiner Verlagh GMBH, Weisbaden, 1983
3. Buckingham, C.F. and G. B.W. Huntingford (Eds.). Some Records of Ethiopia 1593-1646; Being
Extracts from the History of High Ethiopia or Abassia by Manoel de Almeida together with Bahrey’s
History of the Galla [Oromo ],(Hakluyt Society II, CVII), London
4. Cerulli, Ernesta Peoples of South –west Ethiopia and Its
Borderland, London, 1956
5. Ethiopia: The 1994 Population and Housing Census of Ethiopia,
CSO, 1994, Addis Ababa
6. Haberland, E. The Influence of the Christian Ethiopian Empire on Southern Ethiopia , In
Journal of Semitic Studies IX: 235-38
7. Hodson, A. Seven Years in Southern Ethiopia , London, 1927
8. Leslaw, W. Additional Notes on Kambata of Southern Ethiopia, In: Arthropods 51, 5/6 :985-
93 , 1956
9. Leslaw, W. Notes on Kambata of Southern Ethiopia, In: Africa, XXII:348-59 , 1952
10. Ludolph(us),J. A New History of Ethiopia: Being a Full and Accurate Description of the Kingdom
of Abyssinia, vulgarly though Erroneously called the Empire of Prester John, London, 1682.
11. Moreno, M.M. Appunti di Cambata e di Alaba, In: RRAL, ser. VI, XIV,3/4 =269-79
12. Singer, N.J. The Use of Courts as a Key to Legal Development: an Analysis of Legal
Attitudes of the Cambata of Ethiopia, In Proceedings of the First United States Conference of Ethiopian
Studies, 1973. s. 365-83 East Lansing , 1975
13. Singer, N.J. Some Notes on the origin of the Cambata of southern Ethiopia, Tuscaloosa
(Ms.), 1977.
14. Singer, N.J. The Relevance of Traditional Legal Systems to Modernization and Reform: a
Consideration of Cambata Legal Structure, In Tubiana, J. (Ed.), Modern Ethiopia :From the Accession of
Menelik II to the Present, S.. 537 -56 ,Rotterdam , 1980
15. Yigezu,s. Kambata Awraja: Its People and Local Administration, Addis Abeba
(Ms)1970.
16. Dagana Bafutte Did’ana Oral History of Kambata, 1986. The late Dagna Bafutte Did ‘ana was a
well known Oyeta notable who died at the age of 90 in 1992.
References
1. Atme, G.M. History of the Galla (Yegalla Tarik), part I translated by Bairu Tafla, O.O. (Ms)
Azais, R. P.and R. Chambard , 1942.
2. Braukamper, Ulrich, Die Kambata Franz Steiner Verlagh GMBH, Weisbaden, 1983
3. Buckingham, C.F. and G. B.W. Huntingford (Eds.). Some Records of Ethiopia 1593-1646; Being
Extracts from the History of High Ethiopia or Abassia by Manoel de Almeida together with Bahrey’s
History of the Galla [Oromo ],(Hakluyt Society II, CVII), London
4. Cerulli, Ernesta Peoples of South –west Ethiopia and Its
Borderland, London, 1956
5. Ethiopia: The 1994 Population and Housing Census of Ethiopia,
CSO, 1994, Addis Ababa
6. Haberland, E. The Influence of the Christian Ethiopian Empire on Southern Ethiopia , In
Journal of Semitic Studies IX: 235-38
7. Hodson, A. Seven Years in Southern Ethiopia , London, 1927
8. Leslaw, W. Additional Notes on Kambata of Southern Ethiopia, In: Arthropods 51, 5/6 :985-
93 , 1956
9. Leslaw, W. Notes on Kambata of Southern Ethiopia, In: Africa, XXII:348-59 , 1952
10. Ludolph(us),J. A New History of Ethiopia: Being a Full and Accurate Description of the Kingdom
of Abyssinia, vulgarly though Erroneously called the Empire of Prester John, London, 1682.
11. Moreno, M.M. Appunti di Cambata e di Alaba, In: RRAL, ser. VI, XIV,3/4 =269-79
12. Singer, N.J. The Use of Courts as a Key to Legal Development: an Analysis of Legal
Attitudes of the Cambata of Ethiopia, In Proceedings of the First United States Conference of Ethiopian
Studies, 1973. s. 365-83 East Lansing , 1975
13. Singer, N.J. Some Notes on the origin of the Cambata of southern Ethiopia, Tuscaloosa
(Ms.), 1977.
14. Singer, N.J. The Relevance of Traditional Legal Systems to Modernization and Reform: a
Consideration of Cambata Legal Structure, In Tubiana, J. (Ed.), Modern Ethiopia :From the Accession of
Menelik II to the Present, S.. 537 -56 ,Rotterdam , 1980
15. Yigezu,s. Kambata Awraja: Its People and Local Administration, Addis Abeba
(Ms)1970.
16. Dagana Bafutte Did’ana Oral History of Kambata, 1986. The late Dagna Bafutte Did ‘ana was a
well known Oyeta notable who died at the age of 90 in 1992.
A Short History of the Kambata People of
South-Western Ethiopia
By Tesfaye Habisso H.
The gabbar system was abolished by the Italians and was not reintroduced after the reinstatement of
Emperor Haile Sellassie I by the British in 1941. The landlord-tenant system which then emerged did not
fundamentally alter socio- economic relationships. Fortunately, most Kambata, especially in the densely
populated highlands, were in any case peasants on land which was considered as belonging to their
communities and for which only a relatively small tax had to be paid to the state. Large estates were
promised to those descendants of kings who were appointed balabat (government chief) and to people of
the Oyeta clan. Overpopulation in the core area of the Kamabata made it increasingly necessary for
landless peasants to seek their living standards among self- sufficient smallholders from about 1960 on.
In general however, the material quality of life remained so low that the majority of inhabitants of the
Kambata areas greeted the revolution which broke out in 1974 and the proclamation of a land reform with
great optimism, which, however, was dashed soon due to the ill-advised programmes of forced
villagization, forced resettlement in remote and harsh environments as well as the inability of peasants to
sell their agricultural surplus produce at the market price and at places of their choice or preference but
forcefully supply their products to the state-owned Agricultural Marketing Enterprise (AMCE) at
government set prices and quantities. This, in brief, covers some aspects of the history of Kambata from
the 14th to the 20th century.
Appendix I
List of Major Clans of Kambata
No. Name of clan Claimed Origin of Approx Period
Migration of Migration
Oyeta (Ras Hamalmal’s Gondar 16th century
Dynasty)
Gulba Bulga (shoa) 16th “
Nurto Gondar 16th “
Hajibbo(Hate)Amhara Gayint Before 15th century
Ongot (ta) Gayint “ “ “
Ennagos /Dildiy/ Amhara Gayint 17th century
Quntanno Gondar 16th “
Sintarro Gondar 16th “
Qorandi- Amhara Manz (Shoa) 17th “
Ennagari- Amhara Manz, Enner Gurage 17th “
Garado- Amhara Garado (Wollo) 18th “
Abrahmi- Amhara Manz (Shoa) 17th “
Wolde-Amhara Manz (Shoa) 18th “
Dawaro Manz (Shoa) 18th “
Masmas(a) Chilga (Gondar) 16th “
Agawa Agewmedir (Gojjam) 16th “
Gafat (a) Gafat (Wollo) 15th “
Dola(Dubamo) Gondar 16th “
Gojjinna(“) Gondar 16th “
Golacha ( “) Gondar 16th “
Gojjinna(“) Gondar 16th “
Gulla(“) Gondar 16th “
Suara(“) Gondar 16th “
Zambochicho Gondar 16th “
Badogo Dallo (Bale) 16th “
Damota(Woshbirra) Arsi, Gadab, Wolayta 18th “
Dada Arsi, Endegagn 19th “
Dawe Arsi-Dida’a 18th “
Farzanno(Farzanna) Albaso (Arsi) 18th
Zato Borana (Oromo) 17th ”
Bonoso Yem, Jimma 17th “
Gabara Arsi-Did’a 18th “
Gadena Arsi 18th “
Galla(Adamogne) Wabi Shebele, Arsi 18th “
35. Gora Jimma 18th “
Gorakama Jimma 18th “
Gujji Gujji -Oromo 18th “
Hambarazo Arsi 18th “
Qarisso Eka (Arsi) 19th “
Malga Arsi, Sidama 16th “
Wolleqa Wollega-Oromo 18th “
Womallo Borana 18th “
Worarra Werera (Arsi) 18th “
Yabbu Kalalle(Zwai lake) 18th “
Haballo Dallo (Bale) 16th “
Hayiba Dallo (Bale) 16th “
Hojje Dallo (Bale) 16th “
Qilemanna Dallo (Bale) 16th “
Jawarro Gadab (Wabi Shebelle) 19th “
Godicho Gadab (“ “) 19th “
Sarorre Gadab (“ “) 19th “
Gonderomma Dallo(Bale) 16th “
Haderamma Dallo(Bale) 16th “
Muta Dallo(Bale) 16th “
Zedinno Dallo(Bale) 16th “
Doda Dallo, Gadab 19th “
Awda Sidama 17th “
Malge Sidama 15th “
Ennerra Sidama 15th “
Jigga Sidama 18th “
Jumma Sidama 18th “
Hessesse(ta) Sidama, Borana 18th “
Churrissa (Donga) Sidama, Guraghe 16th-17th “
Lambuda (“) “ “ 16th-17th “
Lanchamo (“) “ “ 16th-17th “
Magalalle (“) “ “ 16th-17th “
Mattafarsa (Donga) Sidama, Guraghe 16-17th century
Orgo (“) Sidama, Guraghe 16-17th “
Sintyanno (“) “ “ 16-17th “
Adde (Tembaro) Yemerrra (Sidama) 16th “
Ajjarra (“) “ “ 16th “
Qutna (Quunna) (Tembarro) “ “ 16th “
Sambata (“) “ “ 16th “
Tase (“) “ “ 16th “
75. Wajja (“) “ “ 16th “
Yagga (“) “ “ 16th “
Hinnira Wolayta, Ennariya 15th “
Goromma Wolayta 18th “
Bubulla Wolayta 19th “
Makuta Gamo 18th “
Damota Wolayta 18th “
Derreja Gamo 18th “
Dubbo Borana; Qucha, Dubbo(Wolayta) 18th
Goromma Wolayta 18th century
Tigra- Wolayta Kindo, Kosha(Wolayta) 18th “
Weshesha Wolayta, Donga, Danta 18th “
Zakete Qucha (Gamo-Goffa) 18th “
Borojmalla (Borodamalla) Qucha (Gamo-Goffa) 18th “
Effegenna Gedeo 16th “
Ebejjena Gedeo 16th “
Guna Guna(Lemo) 19th “
Odro Lemo-Hadiya 19th “
Moche Badawacho-Hadiya 19th “
Tarachmanna Shashogo- Hadiya 19th “
Annashakko Alaba, Qabena 19th “
Azera Azernet –Berbere 18th “
Dada Endegagn(east Guraghe) 19th “
Endanna Ennariya, Endegagn 18th “
99. Gejja Geja(North Guraghe) 18th “
100. Ganz Ganz (Qabena) 15-18th “
101. Jorra Enner- Guraghe 18th “
102. Omoshogorra Ennariya, Masmas, 18th “
Enamor-Guraghe
103. Yangaro Janjero [Yem] 17th “
104.Saga Guraghe Before 15th “
105. Werreza Qabena/Guraghe, 17th “
106. Fuga(Annosa, Masmas, Guraghe, Before15th “
Badagosa, Bidirra Ennariya
Boriye, Bosha, Gacha,
Gajicho, Gashdessa,
Gauwossa, Hojiya (Hokiya)
Marenmanna, Masmassa,
Nega’a, Tontosa (Dontosa),
Woiyoso)
References
1. Atme, G.M.History of the Galla (Yegalla Tarik), part I translated by Bairu Tafla, O.O. (Ms) Azais, R.
P.and R. Chambard, 1942.
2. Braukamper, Ulrich, Die Kambata Franz Steiner Verlagh GMBH, Weisbaden, 1983
3. Buckingham, C.F. and G. B.W. Huntingford (Eds.). Some Records of Ethiopia 1593-1646; Being
Extracts from the History of High Ethiopia or Abassia by Manoel de Almeida together with Bahrey’s
History of the Galla [Oromo], (Hakluyt Society II, CVII), London
4. Cerulli, Ernesta Peoples of South –west Ethiopia and Its Borderland, London, 1956
5. Ethiopia: The 1994 Population and Housing Census of Ethiopia, CSO, 1994, Addis Ababa
6. Haberland, E. The Influence of the Christian Ethiopian Empire on Southern Ethiopia, In Journal of
Semitic Studies IX: 235-38
7. Hodson, A. Seven Years in Southern Ethiopia, London, 1927
8. Leslaw, W.Additional Notes on Kambata of Southern Ethiopia, In: Arthropods 51, 5/6:985-93, 1956
9. Leslaw, W. Notes on Kambata of Southern Ethiopia, In: Africa, XXII: 348-59, 1952
10. Ludolph (us), J.A New History of Ethiopia: Being a Full and Accurate Description of the Kingdom of
Abyssinia, vulgarly though erroneously called the Empire of Prester John, London, 1682.
11. Moreno, M.M. Appunti di Cambata e di Alaba, In: RRAL, ser. VI, XIV,3/4 =269-79
12. Singer, N.J.The Use of Courts as a Key to Legal Development: an Analysis of Legal Attitudes of the
Cambata of Ethiopia, In Proceedings of the First United States Conference of Ethiopian Studies,
1973. s. 365-83 East Lansing, 1975
13. Singer, N.J. Some Notes on the origin of the Cambata of southern Ethiopia, Tuscaloosa (Ms.), 1977.
14. Singer, N.J.The Relevance of Traditional Legal Systems to Modernization and Reform: Consideration
of Cambata Legal Structure, In Tubiana, J. (Ed.), Modern Ethiopia: From the Accession of Menilik II
to the Present, S.. 537 -56 ,Rotterdam , 1980
15. Yigezu,s. Kambata Awraja: Its People and Local Administration, Addis Abeba (Ms) 1970.
16. Dagana Bafutte Did’ana Oral History of Kambata, 1986. The late Dagna Bafutte Did ‘ana was a well
Known Oyeta notable who died at the age of 90 in 1992.