Battle of Shimbra Kure
Encyclopedia
The Battle of Shimbra Kure ("chickpea
swamp") was fought in March of 1529 between the forces of Adal led by Imam
Ahmad ibn Ibrihim al-Ghazi
, and the Ethiopian army, under Dawit II
(Lebna Dengel). Despite being outnumbered, the followers of Imam Ahmad prevailed, and were in control of the field at the end of the battle. Both sides suffered heavy casualties. Despite this success, and his desire to capture and hold the Emperor's palace at Badeqe, Imam Ahmad, in part to appease his restive men, withdrew from the highlands and did not return to directly engage the Ethiopian army for two years.
Some authorities, such as Richard Pankhurst
, attribute Imam Ahmad's success to the presence amongst his followers of an elite company of matchlock
men. If this is the case, then this battle was the first time Ethiopian forces had to fight against a force armed with firearms.
Chickpea
The chickpea is a legume of the family Fabaceae, subfamily Faboideae...
swamp") was fought in March of 1529 between the forces of Adal led by Imam
Imam
An imam is an Islamic leadership position, often the worship leader of a mosque and the Muslim community. Similar to spiritual leaders, the imam is the one who leads Islamic worship services. More often, the community turns to the mosque imam if they have a religious question...
Ahmad ibn Ibrihim al-Ghazi
Ahmad ibn Ibrihim al-Ghazi
Ahmad ibn Ibrahim al-Ghazi "the Conqueror" was an Imam and General of Adal who invaded Ethiopia and defeated several Ethiopian emperors, wreaking much damage on that kingdom...
, and the Ethiopian army, under Dawit II
Dawit II of Ethiopia
Dawit II , enthroned as Emperor Anbasa Segad , better known by his birth name Lebna Dengel was of Ethiopia, and a member of the Solomonic dynasty...
(Lebna Dengel). Despite being outnumbered, the followers of Imam Ahmad prevailed, and were in control of the field at the end of the battle. Both sides suffered heavy casualties. Despite this success, and his desire to capture and hold the Emperor's palace at Badeqe, Imam Ahmad, in part to appease his restive men, withdrew from the highlands and did not return to directly engage the Ethiopian army for two years.
Some authorities, such as Richard Pankhurst
Richard Pankhurst (academic)
Richard Keir Pethick Pankhurst OBE is a British academic with expertise in the study of Ethiopia.-Early life and education:...
, attribute Imam Ahmad's success to the presence amongst his followers of an elite company of matchlock
Matchlock
The matchlock was the first mechanism, or "lock" invented to facilitate the firing of a hand-held firearm. This design removed the need to lower by hand a lit match into the weapon's flash pan and made it possible to have both hands free to keep a firm grip on the weapon at the moment of firing,...
men. If this is the case, then this battle was the first time Ethiopian forces had to fight against a force armed with firearms.