Metamorphosis in Conquest of Borana Oromo (c. 1897-1907)

Abstract

This study is aimed to note the process of conquest of Borana Oromo and the final stages in the formation of modern Ethiopia. To do this, researcher has consulted both primary and secondary sources. The data are collected, analyzed and interpreted. Thus, descriptive and interpretative research design was used to address the aim of the study. The study has comprehended the period after math of Adwa to boundary demarcation between Ethiopia and Kenya by Anglo-Ethiopian treaty (c.1897-1907).  Hence, the study has branded that the conquest of Borana Oromo in southern part of Ethiopia was part of Empire building only aftermath of Adwa victory in 1896. In this paper, the background to the Sidama-Guji-Borana conquest were addressed. The first attempt to conquer Borana was launched before Adwa in 1893 when the imperial armies commanded by Dejjach Asfaw Darge, the eldest son of Ras Darge Sahle Selassie. The second part discussed with the conquest process in aftermath of Adwa, in 1897 when imperial armies command under newly appointed chief in staff of army, Fitawrari Habte Giorgis Dinagde, who simply appointed after death of Fitawrari Gabayahu Gurmu (Abba Gora), who fallen at battle of Adwa. The third section deals with power consolidation of central government over the periphery with particular reference to the area under studies. The last section dealt with the process of boundary demarcation between adjacent colonial master mainly with Anglo-Ethiopian treaty of 189 that marked the formation of concrete boundary of Ethio-Kenyan border of today.