The Role of Oromo Cavalry Horses in the Making of Modern Ethiopian Empire: A Historical Review (ca.1870s-1900)

Abstract

The last quarter of the 19^th century was a period of dramatic political and historical importance took place in Ethiopian historiography; the process of the making modern Ethiopian empire and an attempt of external aggression. Thus, this paper is aimed to explore the role of Oromo cavalry horses in the process of making modern Ethiopia and their contribution in the defending the empire from external aggression. 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 findings of the study show that the role of Oromo cavalry horses was undergone from organizing and training cavalries, submitting internal threats and defending foreign aggressions. The military training and submission was began from Shoa to Sudan border, Wechecha to Walayta, Ilubabor to Mecha and kaffa to Borena and successful defended external aggression like Egypt at Gundet (1875) and Gura (1876) and Mahdist of Sudan. At battle of Adwa (1896) Oromo cavalry horses were also the frontline at battle field as general and soldiers to against Italian imperialism which finally concluded by Ethiopian victory. The aftermath of Adwa (1896-1900) the armies were able to conquered Afar in 1896, Somali in 1897, Kaffa in 1897, Borana in 1897, Benishangul in 1898, Bench Maji, Gardula, to Lake Rudolf in 1898. In peripheral provinces the project of conquest and submission was continued until 1900, the year which marked the making of modern Ethiopian empire of today.