Battle of Amba Jebelli
Encyclopedia
The Battle of Amba Jebelli was fought in Ethiopia
in 1854 between the forces of Kassa Hailu (later known as Tewodros II
), and the forces of Birru Goshu of Gojjam
. Kassa was victorious, Birru Goshu was captured and spent the next 14 years in chains.
The battle was fought in Gojjam, in the modern Misraq Gojjam Zone
. Birru sought to avenge his father, Goshu Zewde, who had been killed in the Battle of Gur Amba
two years before. Confident of success, he left his fortress at Jebelli and in March 1854 Kassa Hailu engaged him and defeated him. Birru then tried to use the same tactics he had successfully used against Ras Ali
, but his army failed him. As Mordechai Abir notes, "His Gojjamites were no longer fighting the hated Galla
who had continuously ravaged their country, but a successful Amhara leader who was able to crush the much-disliked Yejju dynasty. Moreover, Kassa was the idol of the soldiers and his personal bravery became legendary." So when the two armies met again, Birru Goshu's army disintegrated and was taken prisoner. Birru's wife surrendered Jibelli with its arsenal, if she were promised that she would not be reunited with her husband. Afterwards, Birru Goshu was imprisoned on an amba
west of Chelga
.
Jebelli is one of two ambas, or fortified mountaintops, in the valley of the Chamwaga River, and was frequently used as a stronghold by the rulers of Gojjam.
Ethiopia
Ethiopia , officially known as the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. It is the second-most populous nation in Africa, with over 82 million inhabitants, and the tenth-largest by area, occupying 1,100,000 km2...
in 1854 between the forces of Kassa Hailu (later known as Tewodros II
Tewodros II of Ethiopia
Tewodros II was the Emperor of Ethiopia from 1855 until his death....
), and the forces of Birru Goshu of Gojjam
Gojjam
Gojjam was a kingdom in the north-western part of Ethiopia, with its capital city at Debre Marqos. This region is distinctive for lying entirely within the bend of the Abbay River from its outflow from Lake Tana to the Sudan...
. Kassa was victorious, Birru Goshu was captured and spent the next 14 years in chains.
The battle was fought in Gojjam, in the modern Misraq Gojjam Zone
Misraq Gojjam Zone
Misraq Gojjam is a Zone in the Amhara Region of Ethiopia. Misraq Gojjam is named after the former province of Gojjam.Misraq Gojjam is bordered on the south by the Oromia Region, on the west by Mirab Gojjam, on the north by Debub Gondar, and on the east by Debub Wollo; the bend of the Abay River...
. Birru sought to avenge his father, Goshu Zewde, who had been killed in the Battle of Gur Amba
Battle of Gur Amba
The Battle of Gur Amba was fought on 27 September 1852 between the forces of the Ethiopian regent, Ras Ali II, and the rebel forces of Kassa Hailu. Kassa was victorious, and Goshu Zewde of Gojjam, the commander of the regent's forces, was killed...
two years before. Confident of success, he left his fortress at Jebelli and in March 1854 Kassa Hailu engaged him and defeated him. Birru then tried to use the same tactics he had successfully used against Ras Ali
Ali II of Yejju
Ali II of Yejju was a Ras of Begemder and Enderase of the Emperor of Ethiopia. He was the son of Alula of Yejju, sometime governor of Damot and then of Gojjam, and Menen Liben Amede, later Empress of Ethiopia, and grandson of Gugsa of Yejju, by his fourth wife, Amata Selassie, daughter of Emperor...
, but his army failed him. As Mordechai Abir notes, "His Gojjamites were no longer fighting the hated Galla
Oromo people
The Oromo are an ethnic group found in Ethiopia, northern Kenya, .and parts of Somalia. With 30 million members, they constitute the single largest ethnic group in Ethiopia and approximately 34.49% of the population according to the 2007 census...
who had continuously ravaged their country, but a successful Amhara leader who was able to crush the much-disliked Yejju dynasty. Moreover, Kassa was the idol of the soldiers and his personal bravery became legendary." So when the two armies met again, Birru Goshu's army disintegrated and was taken prisoner. Birru's wife surrendered Jibelli with its arsenal, if she were promised that she would not be reunited with her husband. Afterwards, Birru Goshu was imprisoned on an amba
Amba (geology)
An amba is a characteristic geologic form in Ethiopia. It is a steep sided, flat topped mountain, often the site of villages, wells and their surrounding farmland. These settlements were located there because they were very defensible and often virtually inaccessible plateaus.The original term in...
west of Chelga
Ayikel
Ayikel is a town in western Ethiopia. Located in the Semien Gondar Zone of the Amhara Region, this town has a latitude and longitude of with an altitude of 2146 meters above sea level...
.
Jebelli is one of two ambas, or fortified mountaintops, in the valley of the Chamwaga River, and was frequently used as a stronghold by the rulers of Gojjam.