History of Ethiopia and the Horn

HISTORY OF ETHIOPIA AND THE HORN

Short Note by Etiel

Tutorial
  • Course: Hist. 102
  • Institution: Ministry of Science and Higher Education, Ethiopia
  • Module: History of Ethiopia and the Horn (Hist. 102)
  • Writers:
    • Surafel Gelgelo (Ph.D.)
    • Deressa Debu
    • Dereje Hinew (Ph.D.)
    • Meseret Worku (M.A.)
  • Reviewers:
    • Kassu Tumiso (M.A.)
    • Aychegrew Hadera (Ph.D.)
    • Mohammed Hassen (Ph.D.)
    • Tsegaye Ebabey (MA)
    • Ketebo Abdiyo (Ph.D.)
    • Fesseha Berhe (Assistant Professor)
    • Dessalegn Bizuneh (Assistant Professor)
  • Institutions Involved:
    • Addis Ababa University
    • Jimma University
    • Wollega University
    • Debre-Tabor University
    • Arba Minch University
    • Bahir Dar University
    • Haramaya University
    • Hawassa University
    • Mekelle University
    • University of Gondar
  • Date: January 2020
  • Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

UNIT ONE

1.1 The Nature and Uses of History
In This Chapter We Will See:
  1. What is History?
  2. What is the Source of History?
  3. What is the Use of History?
  4. What is Historiography?
  5. What is the Historiography of Ethiopia?
  6. What is the Geographical Context?

1.1 Nature of History

  • The term history is derived from the Greek word Istoria, meaning "inquiry" or "an account of one’s inquiries."
    • First used by ancient Greek historian Herodotus, regarded as the "Father of History."
  • Ordinary usage denotes all events that have occurred in the human past.
  • In modern definitions, history is an organized and systematic study of the past.
    • Involves discovery, collection, organization, and presentation of information regarding past events.
  • Historians choose specific topics and problems to study, reflecting their specialized concerns within the broader context of human society.
  • Focus on the study of human society's interaction with the natural environment over time, differentiating history from other disciplines.
  • Human past is organized into discrete periods: ancient, medieval, and modern history.
  • The societal framework in Ethiopia and the Horn displays continuity and unique characteristics over time.

1.2 Uses of History

  1. Understanding the Present:
    • History serves as a significant repository for examining past behaviors and actions of people.
  2. Sense of Identity:
    • Knowledge of history is crucial for understanding personal and communal identities and relationships.
  3. Background for Other Disciplines:
    • Provides foundational knowledge beneficial to fields such as Anthropology, Sociology, Religion, Art, Philosophy, and Political Science.
  4. Development of Critical Skills:
    • Engages students in research skills essential for evaluating sources and forming coherent arguments.
  5. Promotes Tolerance and Open-mindedness:
    • Studying diverse historical societies fosters understanding and acceptance of different cultures.
  6. Endless Fascination:
    • History provides insights into transformation and change throughout human existence.

1.3 Source of History

  • Historians require evidence from sources as they are not creative writers.
  • Sources bring historical narratives to life; without them, history cannot exist.
Types of Sources:
  • Primary Sources:
    • Original, firsthand accounts in close proximity to events.
    • Examples include:
    • Manuscripts (handwritten materials)
    • Diaries, letters, court records, administrative files
    • Travel documents, photographs, maps, video, and audiovisual materials
    • Artifacts (coins, fossils, weapons, utensils, buildings)
  • Secondary Sources:
    • Secondhand accounts published long after the events, often relying on primary sources.
    • Examples include:
    • Articles, books, textbooks, biographies, published stories, or movies
  • Oral Sources:
    • Valuable for studying non-literate societies, can be primary or secondary.
    • This method transmits knowledge across generations.
  • Critical evaluation of all sources is paramount:
    • Primary sources: Verify originality and authenticity.
    • Secondary sources: Assess reliability of reconstructions.
    • Oral sources: Cross-check with other available sources to maintain authenticity.

1.4 Historiography

  • Historiography refers to the history of historical writing.
  • It studies how knowledge of the past, recent or distant, is obtained and conveyed.
  • The organized narration of history began with ancient Greek historians like Herodotus and Thucydides.
  • In China, Sima Qian was a notable figure in historical thought during the Han dynasty.
  • History established itself as an academic discipline in the late 19th century, originating in Europe and eventually spreading to the United States.
  • The German historian Leopold von Ranke is often credited as the "father of modern historiography" for promoting an independent methodology.
  • The historiography of Ethiopia has evolved significantly over the last century.
    • Earliest reference: Periplus of the Erythrean Sea, first century A.D.
    • Documenting Aksum's trade: Christian Topography by Cosmas Indicopleustes, sixth century A.D.
    • Earliest written material dates from the seventh century A.D. from Abba Gerima monastery in Yeha.
    • Manuscripts from Haiq Istifanos monastery, 13th century A.D.
    • Medieval Ethiopian history heavily sourced from hagiographies that honor saints.
    • Parallel hagiographical traditions exist among Muslim communities, documenting figures such as Shaykh Ja’far Bukko.
    • Indigenous chronicles in Ge'ez language emerged in the 14th century, with the Glorious Victories of Amde-Tsion being notable.

1.5 Historiography of Ethiopia

  • Early 20th century saw a shift with traditional writers distancing from chroniclers' flattery of monarchs:
    1. Aleqa Taye Gebre Mariam
    2. Aleqa Asme Giorgis
    3. Debtera Fisseha-Giorgis
    • Negadrases Afework Gebre Iyesus and Gebre Hiwot Baykedagn eventually joined the ranks of modern history writers.
    • Their contributions include significant works like Taye’s and Fisseha-Giorgis's on Ethiopian history and Asme’s on the Oromo people.
    • Blatten Geta Hiruy Wolde-Selassie published influential works such as Ethiopiana Metema and Yehiwot Tarik.
    • The Italian occupation disrupted early modern history writings, but after liberation, Tekle-Tsadik Mekuria revitalized historical discourse, evaluating sources better than predecessors.
    • Yilma Deressa, with Ye Ityopiya Tarik Be’asra Sidistegnaw Kifle Zemen, addressed the Oromo population and Christian-Muslim conflicts.
    • Blatten Geta Mahteme-Selassie Wolde-Meskel wrote Zikre Neger, detailing prewar land tenure systems.
    • The 1960s marked the formal establishment of history as an academic discipline with the opening of the Department of History at Haile Selassie I University.
    • Richard Pankhurst, the founding member of the Institute of Ethiopian Studies, authored numerous works on Ethiopia.
    • The decolonization spurred new methodologies including oral data and interdisciplinary approaches incorporating Anthropology, Archeology, and Linguistics.

1.7 Geographical Context of Ethiopia and the Horn

  • Ethiopia and the Horn encompass northeastern Africa, including Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Somalia.
  • The region features prominent geological formations due to the Great Rift Valley, a fissure extending from Syria to Mozambique.
    • Major physiographic features include:
    1. Massive highland
    2. Complex mountains and plateaus
    3. Divided by the Rift Valley
    4. Surrounded by lowlands, semi-deserts, deserts, and tropical forests.
  • Cultural and linguistic diversity exist across the region, with historical interactions through commerce, migration, warfare, slavery, colonialism, and state systems.
Key Geographical Factors:
  1. Location
  2. Landforms
  3. Resource Endowment
  4. Climate
  5. Drainage Systems

  • Ethiopia's geographical linkages:

    • Bordered by the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, and Indian Ocean, connecting to the Mediterranean and beyond.
    • Major drainage systems include:
    1. Nile River: Flows from Uganda north to Sudan, converging in Khartoum.
    2. Awash River: Exclusive to Ethiopia, connects highlands to Danakil Depression.
    3. Ethiopian Rift Valley Lakes System: Includes a chain from Lake Ziway to Lake Turkana.
    4. Gibe/Omo-Gojeb River System: Extended from southern Ethiopia to northern Kenya.
    5. Shebele/Genale Rivers: Flow southeast toward Somalia and the Indian Ocean; only the Genale reaches the Indian Ocean.

  • Understanding these drainage systems reveals significant insights into the social dynamics of the peoples inhabiting the river basins.

  • The region can be divided into three major environmental zones, crucial for the livelihood and culture of its inhabitants.

END OF FIRST UNIT

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