Bashah Aboye[note 1] (born circa 1850 - died 1 March 1896)horse name:Abba Däffar, was a distinguished Ethiopian military commander under EmperorMenelik II, and governor of several former principalities and regions in the south. Bashah died fighting the Italians during theBattle of Adwa.[1][2]
OfAmhara descent, Bashah Aboye's was the eldest son of WoizeroAyahilush, a daughter of NegusSahle Selassie ofShewa. His father wasMeridazmachAboye, who was appointed by EmperorTewodros II as the imperial viceroy (governor) in Shewa. His father was further distinguished with the title ofAfe Negus (lit:Mouth of the king) or Chief judge.[3]
His brothers wereRasWelde Giyorgis Aboye ofGondar,DejazmachLemma Aboye. His sisters wereSama’etwa Aboye andBirkenseh Aboye (twins), andWossen Yelesh Aboye.[3]
He was a cousin of EmperorMenelik II.[1]
Little is known about Bashah Aboye in other fields besides warfare. He appeared first in historical sources as a distinguished horse-man and skilled fighter in the clashes between the armies ofYohannes IV andMenelik II in 1877. A couplet of praise (misgana) was composed at the time, and it subsequently became almost synonymous with his name and has been mentioned in almost every source. Between 1872 and 1885Menelik II, thenNegus of Shewa, entrusted Bashah with the task of collecting tribute from areas south ofShewa.[1][2]
In the 1880s he commanded a military division of his own and conquered theGibe kingdom ofGera. In 1886 Bashah Aboye conquered the smallkingdom of Gomma on behalf of NegusMenelik II. In October of that year, he was promoted to the rank ofDejazmach and appointed as governor of Gomma and Gera principalities with orders to pacify the region and collect taxes.[2][4]
By the late 1880s Bashah also gained the governorship ofGurage andHadiya.[5][6]
Between 1885 and 1889, Bashah led several failed campaigns against thekingdom of Kaffa.[note 2] In 1897, a year after Bashah's death, his younger brotherWelde Giyorgis Aboye would become the conqueror that defeated the kingdom of Kaffa.[8]
Between 1889 and 1891, in the midst of a devastating famine, Bashah Aboye was tasked with gathering provisions and tribute. In 1890 he led a failed military expedition intoSidamo, and had set up a base inShisha (in Sidama). However, Bashah'sGurage foot soldiers were not well armed or provisioned, and he reportedly withdrew from Sidamo in 1891, after six months. In his absence, an insurrection was staged in Gomma and Gera with the assistance of theWelamo kingdom. Bashah Aboye had to put down the rebellion by force.[1][6][9]
In 1894, EmperorMenelik II led the campaign againstWelamo. RasDarge Sahle Selassie and the Aboye brothers (Bashah andWelde Giyorgis) were his military commanders.[1][5][9]
Dejazmach Bashah Aboye alongside RasMakonnen Wolde Mikael,Fitawrari Gebeyehu and the ‘Tabanĝā Yāž’[note 3] led the central front of EmperorMenelik II army during theFirst Italo-Ethiopian War. Bashah is remembered for his valor at thebattle of Adwa on 1 March 1896, during which he was mortally wounded and died. Favored by his soldiers, in retaliation for Bashah's death, his men executed 70 Italianprisoners of war in their custody.[1][10]
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