Some Aspects of the Monarchs of the Shanan Gibee Oromo Kingdoms (Southwestern Ethiopia): a History to the 1880s

Abstract

Historians, anthropologists and other social scientists have written many works on Oromo kingdoms of the Gibe valley and various aspects related to these states or the Maccaa Oromo in the region. However, the focus of (all or at least most) these materials have not been to investigate the monarchs of the Shanan Gibee Oromo states as a group to the 1880s. Moreover, in some cases various works have reflected misinterpretations, misconceptions, distortions, etc. on these monarchs or a number of issues relevant to them. In an attempt to fill these gaps and reconstruct a history of the monarchs of the Shanan Gibee Oromo kingdoms to 1880s, my study has employed qualitative technique of research and used oral information, tradition, various written sources and in a few cases linguistic evidences. There are legends that claim the founders of most or all ruling descent groups of the Shanan Gibee states were non-Oromo new comers. Unlike this view and in line with the argument that challenge it, the thesis based on additional sources has concluded that the ancestors of the founding fathers of the Shanan Gibee kingdoms were parts of the pastoralist Oromo groups who had moved to the wider region from Baalee and its neighbors since the end of the sixteenth century as pioneers. In addition, the research has come up with new evidence that underlines a qaalluu or his descendant formed a kingdom and a ruling dynasty in Gommaa, one of the Oromo monarchies in the Gibe region, besides gadaa officials like abbaa duulaa and others or their off spring who set up monarchical states in Jimmaa, Limmuu-Innaariyaa, Guumaa and Geeraa. Moreover, the work points out monarchical mentality in the region developed naming tradition, “language” or speech, words, sayings, customs, etc. that fit to its institution, norm and system and which disseminated into the mass of the population mainly through internal agents. Beside these, the study present additional evidences that underline Mnilik‟s conquest, which brought to end the existence of most Oromo states of the Gibe valley in the 1880s except the kingdom of Jimmaa that lasted until 1932 with autonomy, had profound impacts on relevant monarchs and the region. The list of the findings of this work goes on. In short, the study presents fresh views, interpretations, explanations, details etc. on some historical phenomena revolved around the monarchs of the Shanan Gibee states, and it occasionally challenges or questions a number of relevant misconceptions, misinterpretations, distortions, etc. appeared in various works. The research is a part of study in progress and thus a lot has to be investigated yet. Researchers should conduct further studies on various aspects of the monarchs of the Shanan Gibee Oromo kingdoms, especially on list and reigns of most rulers of the five dynasties as their history has not only political significance but also social, cultural, economic and other importance even for the wide Oromo society and others elsewhere.