Kingdom of Jimma
The Kingdom of Jimma was one of several kingdoms that formed in the 19th century in the region Gibe in southwestern Ethiopia.
In the west it was bounded by Limmu - Ennarea and to the east by Janjero, part of the Kingdom of Sidamo. The southern border of the Kingdom of Kaffa formed the river Gojeb. Jimma was in military terms as the most powerful of the Gibe kingdoms.
The king acted as a despot. The residents of Jimma were with each other on many issues to be equivalent: each was the possession of property permitted and there was no nobility.
Economy
Until 1945, Jimma, as well as in the rest of Ethiopia, especially Maria Theresa thaler (MT) and Amole (salt bars) as a payment method in use.
Just as in the other Gibe kingdoms, Jimma was a source for the slave trade. By the time of Menelik II slaves were sold to the public. According to reports, Lewis King Abba Jifar II had up to 10,000 slaves. Until the 1930s, the trade in slaves continued in camera. However, the ownership of slaves was no secret, until finally the Emperor Haile Selassie and the Italian occupiers managed to abolish this. ( See also East African slave trade, Inner African slave trade. )
The living conditions of slaves in Jimma were human usually; they were allowed to marry, the possession of property (including slaves ) was enabling them and they were allowed to inherit the things that had piled their parents. Families were torn apart rare. However, they were officially no rights and could at any time be beaten for no reason. Escaped slaves were beaten and in chains.
It was not until the time of King Abba Jifar II Coffee ( Coffee arabica ) was grown commercially. An additional source of income in the extraction consisted of civet oil, which was used for the preparation of perfume.
History
The beginnings of the history Jimmas are in the dark. It is known, however, that prior to the migration of the Oromo, this area was part of the Kingdom of Kaffa. According to legend, led a great sorceress and "queen" named Makhore a number ( estimates range between five and ten) Oromo tribes to Jimma. She wore a boku (usually the property of the abba boku or leader in the hierarchical age class system, gada ), which, as soon as he touched the earth, this did tremble and fear spread among the people.
It is said that they drove with this boku the resident Kaffa on the Gojeb River. This representation seems to indicate that the Oromo marketed as intruders people living here originally from the area. Herbert S. Lewis notes in this connection, however, that the Oromo society assimilated other peoples. If the Oromo ethnic differences made , so these reflect only in the history of various kinship groups.
Finally, the Oromo were dissatisfied with the reign Makhores, was attended by a ruse their innocence and destroyed their power. The paths of the numerous tribes went from there separately. They were loosely grouped in an alliance, which held its meetings in Hulle and laws by the abba boku adopted. At that time, Jimma Jimma was called Kaka.
Initially, the Badi Sak'a were the dominant clan, which led to the alternative name Jimma Badi. Later, in the 18th century, however, the Diggo from Mana began to extend their sphere of influence, while the defeated Lalo clan near Jiren and gained access to the market and trading center Hirmata, today Jimma. Under Abba Jifar finally I. the kingdom was united and often referred to as Jimma Abba Jifar from then on. The King Abba Jifar converted to Islam and began the lengthy process of conversion of the entire kingdom to this religion.
Under the King Abba Gomo the ancient kingdom of Garo was conquered and incorporated into Jimma. The king moved to rich men from his kingdom in the former state and brought important men from Garo after Jiren, which he achieved an integration of the two constitutions.
Shortly after his son Abba Jifar II ascended the throne, the power of the Negus of Shewa for the first time made itself felt for centuries in the region Gibe. Lewis leads to: " Borrelli, Franzoj and other travelers accorded him little hope of Retaining his kingdom for long. " ( Borrelli, Franzoj and other travelers spoke little to him courage for his kingdom to keep a long time. ) The wise counsel of his mother Gumiti following, he submitted to Menelik II and agreed to the payment of tribute to the Negus to. The kings of neighboring kingdoms he recommended to follow his example. However, none of these followed his advice, so the king Abba Jifar unexpectedly enthusiastic helped his Lord to defeat his neighbors. Thus while Kullo 1889 Walamo 1894 and Kaffa 1897 Shewa. In 1928, the tribute from Jimma amounted to 87,000 MT plus 15,000 MT for the army.
After the death of Abba Jifar, took advantage of the Emperor Haile Selassie the opportunity to get Jimma incorporate final. The country was officially incorporated into the Ethiopian state. In the reorganization of the regions in 1942, it disappeared in the region of Kaffa.