An Overview of History of the Hadiya (Hadiyya) People of Ethiopia from the 12th to 18th Centuries

1. Hadiya (Hadiyya): History
An Overview of the Hadiya (Hadiyya) History
from the 12th to 18th Centuries
May 24, 2014
By Tilahun Mishago, PhD
(Reviews & picture sourcing by Girma Watumo)

2. Historical Overview: Ethnic Origin
1. Historical Evidence Suggests Hadiyya‡ to be the result
of ethnic mix of Arab Muslim and indigenous people
 According to legend – Hadiyya ancestor(s) originated from
Sana’a in Yemen ~ b/n the 10th & 11th centuries
 First destination – most likely the northern Somali coast
 A place called Hadey~ (Hadeytaweyne Hadeytacawl located on maps?)
 Quickly absorbed into Cushitic and Semitic (Harari) speaking
autochthonous groups
2. Another claim – Hadiyya as a son of Abadir (the
founding father of Harari) and a local woman
 Hence the Harar Plateau as the origin of political and ethnic
entity ‘Hadiyya’ (Hadiya)
‡ Although most written materials spell the term as “Hadiya” in/outside Ethiopia, we use “Hadiyya” to be true
to the proper local pronunciation in Hadiyya language, but we also use the two interchangeably.

3. Historical Overview: Pedigree
 Most Hadiyya groups claim one or more of the
following historically recorded ancestors from around 12th
century:
 Gadayto Garad, Gudola Garad, Diho-, Hadabo-, Ganazo (Ganz), Saga,
Gadab, Qaben, Gogala, Halab
 Garad (Gerad) = governor(ruler)
 For many Hadiyya; however, Manchchicho is the
progenitor/ancestor
 Father of Garad Bamo (Booyyaamo) and Garad Mehamad (Bimaddo –
noted as the ancestor of the Libido, among others)
 Can be traced most likely to 12th to 13th Century
 Genealogy beyond Manchchicho to Hadiyya inconclusive
 Oral traditions suggest long/short lineages
 Some difficulty to trace back beyond 12th century

4.  An ancient kingdom (r. 12th - 15th centuries); Proof:
 Chronicles: Attempts by Emperor Amde Tsiyon (1314–1344) to submit the
King of Hadiya, Ammano, who refused - many killed, but no total control
 During Zara Yaqob (1399–1468), the Garad of Hadiya, Mahikko, repeated
his predecessor's actions
• Eleni or Helena (died April, 1522) - Empress of Ethiopia
• Daughter of Mehamad (Bimaddo) - king of Hadiyya, converted
to Christianity
• PS: Mahikko Garad (Eleni’s brother/son of Bimaddo) later
pursued and killed by Zara Yacob forces)
 Mention of powerful Sultanates and Kingdoms of Adal, Hadiya, Dawaro,
Fatagar, by many sources, e.g. Ministry of Foreign Affairs
 Zeila Confederation (1185–1415) – on the next Map:
• Made up of the Sultanates: Hadiya, Dawaro, Fatagar, Adal,
Yifat
Historical Overview: The Kingdom of Hadiya

5. 5

6.  Most scholars agree that the (Islamic) kingdom of
Hadiyya covered:
 Arsi, most of Bale (east of Ganale and upper Wabi
Sheballe rivers)
 Border regions of Hararge and Sidamo including
lakes
 Hadiyya experienced its greatest territorial expansion
around 16th century
 Evidence: Genealogy, migration traditions
 As a leading political and territorial entity,
 Hadiyya’s influence reached parts of Kambata, Fatagar, and
Gurage
 Very close ethnic mix & relationship with Wag/Maya, Bale,
Dawaro
 Played predominant role within the clusters
Historical Overview: The Kingdom of Hadiya (continued)

7. 7
Hadiyya & Other Closely Related Ethnic Mix

8. The Hadiyya Kingdom on the Map (12th - 16th Century)
8

9.  Marks the beginning of the end of the kingdom
 Devastating effects of wars on Hadiyya
 By the Christian empire & Holy war of Ahmad Ibrahim (Grangn, the left
handed)
• Portuguese helped Galawdewos: Emir Ahmed’s call for support from the
Ottoman Empire
• Portuguese/Galawdewos victory near Lake Tana in 1543
• The Gragn campaign culminated in 1568 with the defeat of
Adal/Hadiyya/Dwaro alliance
 Effects on the demographics – Ethnic Upheaval
 Various war-torn Hadiyya groups moved to North-west
 Leaving their original settlement empty
 Gave rise to easy movement for Oromo crossing Ganale from the West
• Marks the start of Oromo migration to various parts
 Other reasons:
 Weakness of the Christian empire
 Nomadic lifestyle of the Hadiyya
16th Century & Later: Great Migrations

10. 10

11.  Some Hadiyya groups migrated along with other ethnic groups
such as Sidama and assimilated
 A good example - the prominent/dominant Sidama group Buchche
(Bushe)
 Mentioned by many Hadiyya informants as being part of their ancestors,
and Hadiyya being Buchche’s forefather
 Oromo expansion accelerated and the Hadiyya kingdom
disintegrated
 Hadiyya sub-groups continued to migrate north, west, and north-east
 Oromo followed the Hadiyya movement
 But Hadiyya eventually overrun by Oromo pastoralists in many cases
 Major role of Gada system in convincing Hadiyya to integrate
 Those who were overrun, faced pressure and had no choice
 Gave up their socio-cultural & linguistic identity (totally assimilated), and
 Either settled or continued migration with Oromo (e.g. a number of Hadiyya
clans among Maaca around Neqamt (Wolega)
16th Century: Great Migrations(Continued)

12.  Subjugation, Assimilation, and Migrations continued
 Ethnic clashes, pushes, attempts of conquest continued until the
beginning of the 17th century
o Emperor Jacob (engaged to a Hadiyya princess) - declared Hadiyya was
secured
o Albeit this never ensured a total surrender for the empire until the 18th
 Hadiyya no longer a territorial power
 Hadiyya, once a powerful territorial entity, finally got disbanded
and its people scattered
 Some maintained their identity to this date, most totally
assimilated
 Clan names ending with –manna, survived as witness of those absorbed
o Several of them within the current Oromo territories
o ~manna undoubtedly points to those clans being of Hadiyya descent
 Those managed to preserve what is left faced another pressure by
hegemonic religion, language, culture, and governance – forced to
adhere to those practices
16th Century: Great Migrations(Continued)

13. Beyond 17th Century: Feudalism & Class
 Marked by atrocities from the Christian empire
• Especially Minilik and his puppets
– Far reaching territorial conquest
– Gabar system and its colonial features
 Gave rise to harsh exploitation of peasants by the church,
malkegna, naftagna, balabat (local collaborators)
 Draconian treatment of Gabar subjects (e.g. ‘afarsat’)
 Hence Italian occupation a relief for the south – better evil
 H/Selassie’s superficial attempt to end Gabar
– Led to massive land ‘gasha’ ownership by few melkagna, etc
– A new form of exploitation – land rent vs. resta-gult
– No wonder the 1975 land ownership decree welcomed by
southern peasants more so than anywhere else
13

14. Hadiyyisa (Hadiyya) Language: Evolution,
Hegemonic pressures, Decline/Potential for Extinction
 Who does or does not speak Hadiyyisa language, & why?
– Semitic speaking
• Selte/Silxe – Wolane – Ulbarag – Zay (around Zway & islands) cluster: ethnic
groups include Azernet, Barbare, Ulbarag, Woriro, Wolane, etc
• Linguistic status of some of the recorded ancestors: Gadayto, Diho-, Hadabo-,
Ganazo, Saga, Gogala unknown
– But more likely Semitic for some since they were situated in the same region as Harari
– Cushitic speaking
• Alaaba and Qabeena (originally spoke Silxe/Selte – related to Harari as they lived
in Carcar range areas, before their west bound migration)
• Hadiyya groups later assimilated in various neighboring regions (Arsi, Sidama,
Wolayta, Bale, Wolega, parts of Shoa, who lost their original language
• Current Hadiyyisa speaking groups “Hadiyya proper”
– Spoken by only Hadiyya proper
• Faces pressure by dominant languages, cultural hegemony, religions
• Loss of vocabularies, diminishing use - lack of preference by young generation
• Loss of many cultural practices & music traditions that would otherwise promote
Hadiyyisa
• Future extinction – a possibility?
14

15. 15
Hadiya
Ooso/manna = Tribal
cluster, subgroup (
Shaashoogooso, Soormanna,
etc…) Elected chief = Lob
Daanna, Abagaaz, Garad
Giichcho = Family of Clans (rolled
up to a common ancestor) Elected
chief = Giichch Daanna
Sulla = Clan (family of Moollos rolled up to
a common ancestor of 9-14th generations
back) Elected chief = Sull Daanna
Moollo = Major Lineage ( family of Mines rolled up
to a common ancestor of 6-12 generations back)
Elected chief = Mooll Daanna
Mine = Extended Family ( family of families rolled up to a
common ancestor of ~4 generations back) Elected chief = Mi’n
Daanna
Hadiya Social Organization Based on Kinship System. Chiefs Inducted Based
Primarily on Merits – Pragmatic Society

16. Hadiyya Subgroups based on ‘manna’ level
classification (total around 356 ~manna/tribes/sub groups)
 Mine Moollo Sulla Giichcho Ooso/manna
(manna population size = few hundreds to tens of thousands)
Libidoo (Maraqo, Marako) (total about 27 sub groups)
• Abaachche, Agabeello, …., waaremanna, weerarmanna, etc
Qabeena (total about 37 sub groups))
• Abaakiro, … Buko, Damo, etc
Leemo (total more than 28 sub groups)
• Abdaachcho, Aryyanna, Oodro, Sawwoore, etc
Sooro (total more than 24 sub groups)
• Ajaaranna, Allaabo, Ammachcho, Harbooyye, Guxxichcho, Miroore, etc
Shaashoogo (total about 5 sub groups)
• Annoosichcho, Danniyye, Shokmoollo, Xarachcho, etc (total 5 sub groups)
Baadawwaachcho (total about 42 sub groups)
• Baadeooso:
– Abbure, Annmanna, Baabooso, etc.
• Uruusso:
– Ansoomooso, Bosha, Dawwe, Oyye, etc
• Others: Haballo, Hojje, Sha’ammanna, Gabara
16

17. Hadiyya tribal cluster, ~manna sub groups(Continued)
Baadoogo (Weexo Giira) (total more than 20 sub groups)
• Baadoogo: - Abaayyo, Baaiso, Meere’e, etc
• Haballo: - Ankatmanna, Hawwiso, Samaano, etc
• Others: Bargaago, Hanqallo, Hayyibba, Hojje, Waayyabo
Alaaba (total 12 sub groups)
• Bukaanna, Kitaabo, Kolmine, Shaamanna, etc
East-Gurage (total more than 31 sub groups)
• Selte/Silxe – Wolane – Ulbarag – Zay (around Zway & on islands) cluster:
– Ethnic groups include Azernet, Barbare, Ulbara, Woriro, Wolane, Gadabaano
• Abeechcho, Aboosare, Abbiyyo, Gammaso, Wosharmine, Qaalisha, Shandar, etc
Hadiyya Clans in Wolayta (total 11 sub groups)
• Ansoomooso, Bohalmanna, Doodichchmanna, Haballooso, etc
Hadiyya Clans in Arsi (total more than 109 sub groups)
• Abaanna, Abbayymanna, Abbure, Aboosara, Holbaatmanna, Wonamanna, Woshermine, Yabsanna, Oodomanna,
Lataamanna, Insemanna, etc
Hadiyya Clans in Sidama (total sub groups yet to be identified)
• Buchche (Bushe) (5 Clans): Fakisa, Hollo, Malga, Hadichcho and Awacho;
• Hadiyya claimed as a progenitor per oral traditions
Hadiyya Clans in Harar (among Ittu Oromo) (total 5 sub groups)
• Abosaara, Asalmanna, Dooyyomanna, Horsumanna, Tokkomanna
Hadiyya Clans in Wolega (among Maaca Oromo around Neqamt) (total sub groups yet to be identified)
17

18. Appendix
18
1. Hadiya Lifestyle and Tradition in Pictures (1960-70s)
 Pictures exhibit and represent very limited examples of living conditions and
cultural, as well as social practices in 1960s and early 1970s.
 NB: The pictures were taken in Leemo, Badawwaachcho, Sooro, & Shaashoogo
areas for the most part. As such these are only few of the traditions and various
rituals commonly practiced in Hadiya. That is, pictures represent only few of the
lifestyles, rituals, and traditions common across all Hadiya regions. Those
exhibited in pictures do not necessarily cover all aspects of life in Hadiyya at the
time. Unfortunately there is not much of pictorial or audio-visual documentation
that we have found about music traditions and other socio-cultural activities of
Hadiya from early years, especially the time period beyond 1980s.
 Pictures in the Appendix were borrowed from the Archives of Frobenius-Institut
(http://bildarchiv.frobenius-katalog.de/)
 However, it must be noted that these pictures don’t reflect current life style or
conditions of living in terms of socio-economics. On the other hand, many of the
socio-cultural practices (e.g. music tradition) that there were known to exist
before have been lost due to pressures from mainstream cultures, religions, and
socio-political hegemony.
2.Notes for Further Reading / Main Reference

19. 1. Hadiya Lifestyle and Tradition
in Pictures (1960s - 70s)
These and many other pictures were taken around 1970s by German
researchers; such as, Dr. Ulrich Braukamper and other pioneering
researchers in the field of Social Anthropology. To some extent they
reflect living conditions and traditions of at least parts of Hadiya
during 1960s and 1970s. These pictures are some of the very few
photographic records available about the people of Hadiyya before
cameras were widely available. The pictures are preserved in the
archives of Frobenius-Institute (see http://bildarchiv.frobenius-
katalog.de). The effort for documentation and archival has been
sponsored by Frobenius-Institut of Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
The pictures are copyrighted (stamped as can be seen) by the institute.
The institute must be contacted before using the copyrighted
materials, i.e. if there is the desire to use these and other pictures in
other documentary works.

20. Badawwaachcho Hadiya: Celebration for the Deceased. Singing Arajja (praise for
the dead) by aradaano (praising singers) (1972-4) DT 1.02.09.06-0451 - bildarchiv_487

21. Badawwaachcho Hadiya: Celebration for the Deceased (continued). Singing
Arajja (praise for the dead) by aradaano (singers) (1972-4) DT 1.02.09.06-0451 - bildarchiv_487

22. Badawwaachcho Hadiya:
Celebration for the Deceased
(continued). Singing Arajja (praise
for the deceased) by aradaano
(singers) (1972-4).
During feast of the dead in Amburse by
relatives of the dead.
DT 1.02.09.06-0437 - bildarchiv_474

23. Badawwaachcho
Hadiya burial ceremony
in Amburse. Relatives of
the deceased (1972-4).
DT 1.02.09.06-0423 - bildarchiv_459

24. Hadiya elderly man in Badawwaachcho (1972-4) DT 1.02.09.06-0071 - bildarchiv_219

25. Badawwaachcho Hadiya Elders during Oogata sacrifice (1972-4) DT 1.02.09.06-0488 - bildarchiv_519

26. Badawwaachcho Hadiya: Woman washing clothes (7970-1) DT 1.02.09.06-0127 - bildarchiv_259

27. Libidoo (Maraqo, Marako)
Hadiya Girl (1972-4) FoA 37-Br10-25
bildarchiv_616

28. A typical beehive of Hadiya beekeepers (1970-1) DT 1.02.09.06-0261 - bildarchiv_364

29. Different species of young Ensete plant
(1970-1) DT 1.02.09.06-0176 - bildarchiv_302

30. Different species of young Ensete
plant (1970-1) (continued)
DT 1.02.09.06-0178 - bildarchiv_303

31. Hadiya Girl (1970-1)
DT 1.02.09.06-0056 - bildarchiv_158

32. Hadiya landscape with a mountain in the background (1970-1)
1.02.09.06-0009 bildarchiv_544

33. Hadiya landscape with homestead (1970-1)
DT 1.02.09.06-0003 bildarchiv_538

34. Sooro Hadiya man (1970-
1) DT 1.02.09.06-0061 - bildarchiv_166

35. Sooro Hadiya man (1972-4) FoA 37-Br07-15 bildarchiv_401

36. Libidoo (Maraqo, Marako) Hadiya man with head Kufiita (1972-4) FoA 37-Br09-36 bildarchiv_385

37. Libidoo (Maraqo, Marako) Hadiya man (1970-1) FoA 37-Br11-48 bildarchiv_386

38. Leemo Hadiya family (1970-1) FoA 34-KB26-41 bildarchiv_388

39. Shaashoogo Hadiya family (1970-1) FoA 34-KB48-10 bildarchiv_692

40. Leemo Hadiya man (1970-1) FoA 34-
KB26-37 bildarchiv_390

41. Shaashoogo Hadiya dignitary
(1970-1) FoA 34-KB46-54 bildarchiv_620

42. Sooro Hadiya girl in traditional wear (1972-4) FoA 37-Br29-60 bildarchiv_403

43. Libidoo (Maraqo, Marako) Hadiya girls
at a wedding ceremony, singing and
dancing (1972-4) FoA 37-Br11-56 bildarchiv_524

44. Libidoo (Maraqo , Marako) Hadiya Girls at a wedding ceremony, singing and dancing (1972-4)
FoA 37-Br10-35 bildarchiv_521

45. Libidoo (Maraqo) Hadiya Girls at a wedding ceremony, singing and dancing (1972-4) FoA 37-
Br11-52 bildarchiv_702

46. Leemo Hadiya girl preparing butter by
shaking fresh milk in a clay pot (1970-1)
DT 1.02.09.06-0124 - bildarchiv_256

47. Leemo Hadiya elders in a meeting
(unidentified year in early 1970s) DT 1.02.09.06-0383
bildarchiv_429

48. Almost ripe Ensete in Leemo Hadiya. It
takes few years for the Enset plant to be
ready in order to be processed for waasa
(1970-1)
DT 1.02.09.06-0174 - bildarchiv_301

49. Leemo Hadiya girl harvesting Ensete.
She is preparing Ensete root and stem
as part of the initial waasa
fermentation process (1972-4) Hacking d. Knolle
DT 1.02.09.06-0204 - bildarchiv_325

50. Leemo Hadiya woman harvesting
Ensete: preparing Ensete root and
stem as part of the initial waasa
fermentation process (1972-4)
DT 1.02.09.06-0201 - bildarchiv_322

51. Leemo Hadiya: a traditional women’s hairdresser (1970-1) DT 1.02.09.06-0347 - bildarchiv_394

52. Leemo Hadiya traditional female hairdressing (1970-1)
DT 1.02.09.06-0348 - bildarchiv_395

53. Leemo Hadiya: Mourners approaching the village of the deceased (1970-1)
DT 1.02.09.06-0425 - bildarchiv_461

54. Leemo Hadiya: Wooden monument erected for a deceased hero usually symbolizing the
bravery of the deceased who had killed enemies and ferocious animals (1970-1) DT 1.02.09.06-0463 -
bildarchiv_501

55. Leemo Hadiya: Cattle market in Liisaana (1970-1)
DT 1.02.09.06-0354 - bildarchiv_400

56. Libidoo (Maraqo, Marako) Hadiya woman ties up the hind legs of the cow before milking
(1972-4)

57. Libidoo (Maraqo, Marako) Hadiya girls at a wedding ceremony, singing and dancing (1972-4)
DT 1.02.09.06-0495 - bildarchiv_527

58. Libidoo (Maraqo, Marako) Hadiya girls at a wedding ceremony, singing and dancing (1972-4)
(continued)
DT 1.02.09.06-0496 - bildarchiv_528

59. Shaashoogo Hadiya elder: Name is
unknown; however what appears to be
his title (Abagad d.) was marked on the
archived picture (1970-1)
DT 1.02.09.06-0070 - bildarchiv_218

60. Shaashoogo Hadiya Evening coffee get-together (a typical coffee ceremony with Neighbours)
in a house (1970-1)

61. Sooro Hadiya women mourners at a burial ceremony (1970-1) FoA 34-KB20-72 bildarchiv_499

62. Sooro Hadiya Elder Council meeting in Jawwe (1970-1) DT 1.02.09.06-0491 - bildarchiv_522

63. Badawwaachcho Hadiya woman fetching
water (1970-1) FoA 34-KB53-09 bildarchiv_479

64. Shaashoogo Hadiya girl fetching water
(1970-1) FoA 34-KB47-40 bildarchiv_409

65. 2. Notes for Further Reading / Main References
1. Braukämper, Ulrich (2012). A History of the Hadiyya in Southern Ethiopia. (Geraldine Krause, Trans.).
Wiesbaden, Germany: Harrassowitz Verlag.
2. Braukämper, Ulrich (2014). Fandaanano: The Traditional Socio-religious System of the Hadiyya in
Southern Ethiopia. Wiesbaden, Germany: Harrassowitz Verlag.
3. Braukämper, Ulrich (2002). Islamic History and Culture in Southern Ethiopia: Collected Essays. Muster,
Germany: LIT Verlag.
4. Braukämper, Ulrich; Mishago, Tilahun (1999). Praise and Teasing: Narrative Songs of the Hadiyya in
Southern Ethiopia. Frankfurt am Main, Germany: Frobenius-Institut.
5. Huntingford, GW. Brereton (1955). Arabic Inriptions in Southern Ethiopia. Antiquity XXIX: 230-33.
6. Haberland, Eike (1964). The Influence of the Christian Ethiopian Empire on Southern Ethiopia.
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