Chapter Four: Political Influence!

After incorporation in to emperor menelik’s central administration though a forceful conquest,

wolaitta lost traditional political administration , become victims of disesoses, war, population
displacement and other several socio-economic and political crisis. Moreover, the forceful
conquest of 2nd half of 19th C had resulted loss of nations identity former vast territory, lack of
political rights and in equalities.59

Furthermore, concerning to the political conquest in wolaitta, several oral sources from
informants and written evidences of writers commonly argued as it led to destruction of
traditional political administration hierarchies, replacement of independent self- administration
by centralized rule led by governors sent from center and shifting of kings capital in to military
camps at Soddo and destruction of palaces (Karo ganwa) with historic heritages and valuable
archives.

Form stance, unlike the traditional governance the newly established political authorities that
formed in wolaitta since from conquest period to the end of btailesicassie rule were did not
empower people to exereise their political powers as the governors directly appointed by the
emperors/monarchs at center. These appointed military general governors dominated the local
inhabitants over all political powers and pirctions, hence people denied off their political
authority to decide their own issues and even they have had no ownership rights over resources
like form land and its products.60

In addition to that, informants also reflect that new governors who came to wolaitta after kawo
Tona’s cap the blocked political freedom of people’s right to involve in cultural, political or
social values through by for chaning killing and anesting any one motried to revolt aginst their
rule. Traditional administrative hierarchies that structured from ‘Kawo’ to bottoni Tonadiya,
power levels completely talldohn as result of this vocal inhebiternts became servants of the new
governors than holding political powers that wond included even appointing or dismissing kings
at place. Hence, during the cost periods of Tigre dynasty, the people suspended or dismissed
kawo Damote due to leadership disciplinary problems and appointed ‘Gebe’ as a new king
thorough majority vote in the meeting held at ‘gutara’ contrary, after menelik’s conquest of

1
wolaitta kingdom, the governors were directory participation. 61 the emperor without local
inhabitants

4.1. Collapse of Traditional political rules and Administrative Hierarchies

Unlike the post menelik’s conquest period centralized administration, the state of wolaitta had
well developed political governance which structured in numerous administrative hierarchies
with inclusive rower and functions. Hence, the political powers devolved in more decentralized
ways that began from top hievarelies of kawo (king), Bushasha, Balimola (state council)
different ministers (mochona) to the bottom level hierarchies of district governors (mandida
Dara). Thus several kings who reigred during wolaitta malla and Tigre dynasty established
advanced political structure and formed a constitutional monarchial rule where kings headed by
Balimola (national vouncil). The Balimola had bicameral houses in which the first louse have
eight members (Hospun Balimola) with four years office term and the second Balimda consisted
of Fifty four members with only two years office terms.62

However, after emperor menelik’s conquest, the state of wolaitta was collapsed and kings
became vassal to the emperor and new socio-political institutions like municipality, courts,
essence offices, administrative offices and health offices were headed by various military
governor of walaitta. These governors destroyed traditional political structures and became head
of new administrative hierarchies like Teklay gizat, Awuraja, woreda andvice-wrecha in the
conquered states of sourthern Ethiopia particularly wolaitta. Hence, these governors appoint a
few individuals mohad close relations from the local areas as head of woreda of vice woreda63.
A person with apolitical tile of Dejazmach appointed as governor of wolaitta Awuraja or woreda
and his seat office found in soddo. Accordingly, Azash Badika, Dejach Gneme, Azath Tekle,
Kajazmach Damtew, Ligaba Beyene, Ras kebede, Dejach Beyene, Negadras Asfaw, Dejach
Abawukaw, Dejach Yegezu, Dejach Mkonen and others ruled wolaitta as governors after the
collapse of the state of wolaitta. Up to Italy aggressions Belaw these Dejasmachs, Local royal
family leaders appointed leaders appointed as ‘Abegaz’ and below them chqashen (appointed
from lcal orderry peoples), lebashay Dana, Awuchachin Dena and Abalia (keble leaders) were
appointed and ruled the people in the different administrative hierarchies. 64

2
Dejeasmachs (Head Governor)

Abegazoch (elected from local royal families

Chikashem (Elected from common people)

Lebashay Dana

Awuchachin Dana

Abalia (kebese appointees)

Diagram: the political administrative hierarchies of wolaitta from 1894 to 1935.

As compared to the pre-conquest period’s political administration, the new political

administrative hierarchies designed mainly to dominantly control the Land, territory and Other
resources of wolaitta and brutally governal the people rather than serving the people with strong
commitments as ruling approaches of early kings.

The king governed by the help of a national council, the Balimola, and power was divided
between executive, legislative and judicial branches. Frontenac, during king Amado, the state
was subdivided in to administrative districts, ‘Dana’ and the king appointed adminstratous who
had the same name as the districts. Thus, after conquering the state of wolaitta, emperor put the
people under his direct control and the area was made mad bet (iit personal fief) so that the
centralized indigenous political governance system was replaced by so amed settlers and the
Orthodox Church.65

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Moreover, unlike the traditional political governance system of Wolaitta were traditional ruces
and laws could limit the power of king and people obeyed to the kings rule the post menelik’s
conquest period administrators seen as foreign in traders since they represent new culture and
language. The armed settler soldiers of menelik II and appointed governors worked hand to
destrote the traditional divine kingship of people that was foundation of wolaitta’s deatitys
through by establishing an strict centralized administration where supreme powers directly
exercised by invaders them indigenous people. Hence, fence from forceful incorporation in to
central administration of menelik II in 1894 up to second round Italy aggression/invasion of
Ethiopia, near to fifteen governors whom appointed from the center were administered wolaitta
in the Awuraja administrative hierarchies. During the rule of these governors local inhabitants
rights of decision making power, land ownership and equality rights were violated.66

For stance, Desasmach Abawukaw was appointed as the thirteenth governor of wolaitta since
from Emperor menelik’s forceful conquest and eventual incorporation of the former kingdom in
to central administration.

During ‘dual rule’ perod that the regent of empress zewditu, Ras Teferi sent Dejasmach
Abawukaw to wolaitta as punishment measures duo to the fact that Aba wukaw tried to expose
Ras Tefaris missions of undertaking the empress political power in the palace. Oral sources from
informants assured that during his three years services as governor of wolaitta Awuraja,
Abawukaw ignored administrative complains and petions from the people rather he simply pass
orders to the police officials. Consequently, injustices, instability and back of good governcee
peceme rampant in the all eight woredas of wolaitta (kindo, koysha, Boloso, Chereke, Duguna,
pango and Humbo).

As response, selected individuals from the eight woredas took a fifteen days journey to Entoto
(Addis Ababa) and these persons shown the grievances of people over passive administration of
Dejasmach Abawukaw to the empress zewditu. Hence, the empress immediately replaced
Dejasmach Abbawukaw by the new governors. 67 However, informants argued that these
governors who ruled wolaitta woreda after Dajasmach Abawukaw were failed to establish good
political administration rather they were knohn by imposing harsh punishment/measurements
like arrest torture against public complaints but people continued to struggle against these
oppressive governors rule.

4
However, from these all central government appoints who sent to wolaitta governors like Bogale
walelu remembered as strong and responsible governor whom expanded modern education and
passively responded public petitions after Italy invasions of Ethiopia for the second times.68

Hence modern education first introduced to the people of wolaitta through the effective
governance Bogale walalu around 1941 at Soddo town. Besides, notable teachers like wana
wagesho, Bekele Tiruneh Tilahun W/Gebreal had played a significant role for the success of
Bogale walelu leadership in expanding modern education in wolaitta Awuraja.69

Bogale walelu and Expansion of modern education

Bogale walelu was born in wolaitta and served as governor of wolaitta Anuraja before Italy
invasion. Hence through time the people understood that educating their children to writing and
reading skill was important develop stuggle strategies against the exploitative ‘melkeigna’ and
Neffeigna’ rule of administration. In this form of struggle strategies, Bogale walew had
contributed more in building various schools in wolaita during his power position as governor of
wolaitta Awuraja.

Furthermore, during his different government administrative authority, Bogale walelu expended
literaty and introduced modern education as pivotal weapon to struggle against the oppressive
and exploitative feudal rule in sidmo Gamo Gofa, Guji, Borena, Gidole, Konso, burji, Gedeo and
other areas of sourthern Ethiopia.70

In wolaitta, the first primary school was opened in Soddo town during Bogale walelu’s power as
governor, thus seven teachers and a single school guard assigned regularly without fixed salary
to be paid from government around 1941/42. Later, several schools were opened in sore, Dubo,
Boditti, Diguna, Wandara and Himbecho respectively. Contrary schools were opened in wolaitta
woreda early than various Awuraja’s of southern Ethiopia.71 later, several schools built in
wolaitta developed from woreda status in to Awuraja administrative hierarchies after end of Italy
rule in Ethiopia. Thus, Bogale walelu strongly fought illiteracy and expanded modern education
in all seven woredas of wolaitta Awuraja as result emperor Hailesillassies I appointed him as
Lead governor of sidamo Teklay gizat education office/bureau.

5
In addition to that, Bogale wolaitta had expanded literacy in areas found out of wolaitta in later
times. Fornstence, in sidemo teklay Gizat he tought the people about values of education for
modern civilization, hardworking culture, empocuring children to attend schools and agricultural
works in sidemo. Similarly, in Gemo Gofa Teklay gizat, several schools were built through the
strong patriotic roles of Bogale wolalus. He identified as hero of literacy in which he used
education as key instrument to fought against the feudal rule of Ethiopia gebar system found
since from meneliks conquest of the area.72

Girmame Niway

He was came to wolaitta as Awuraja governor around 1958 and emphasis zed on maintaining
stable livelihood of the people and political security in all seven woredas. Hence, Germame
moved around all woredas of wolaitta and discussed with the people about problems of
instability directly thus, he appointed representative of people in each kebele. He ignored the
chikashums and ‘Abegaz officials and had made direct communication with the kebele
representatives. To maintain peace and security in each kebele the governor established
‘santiriya’ at every border areas and center roads and peoples had obligation to kept their local
areas security co-operatively. False charge and defence was decreased in the court and robbery
also put under control during the leadership of Girmame Neway.

Moreover, several developmental activities carried out during Germame Neway rule in wolaitta.
For stance, pure watercress provide to soddo toun, schools built and settlement programmes of
people from over arowded are as to the sparsely populated and desert are as that found in
different parts of wolaitta Awurajas.

However, local ‘batarats’ who lad given political power below the governor and the ‘baleerist’
who had land in heritance rights opposed the reformed administration of Girmame Neway as the
new rules hibernated and separated the ‘chisegna’ from land lords (bale-erist) radically.

Which analyzing these different governors who appointed as governor of wolaitta

woreda/Awuraja after the forceful conques of emperor menelik II since 1894, it was clear that
they followed an street brutal and exploitative rule against the people of wolaitta mainly to
accomplish and more strengthen the national unity of Ethiopia centralized administration.
However, gradually a few governors whose origin either from North end wolaitta aera where

6
followed relatively liberal administration focusing on protecting the local people from inputs of
‘melkei and Notteigna rule like disorder, instability robbery, illiteracy and injustices in all seven
woredas of wolaitta.

Hence, the first or early appointed governors like Dejas mech Genemme, Asfa leulseged,
keignazmech Damte, Dejazmach Abawukaw and others who ruled wolaitta before the second
Italy invasion were established asocial base of gebar system rule where local inhabitants denied
off their early political, economic, social and cultural freedom rights and identities. In refurn, the
conquered people who found in all corners of former kingdom where forced to exereise and
accept new settled soldiers and appointed governor’s rule, culture, language and ways of life. To
the worst, a few amateur writers like Aysha Amado related there central government appointees
rule in wolaitta with the French direct rule of council administration of African states. Hence,
during these governors rule period, indigenous system of governance was replaced by new
settlers soldiers of menelik II where all governors come from north from 1894 to 1957 except a
few governors who appointed from wolaitta a new.74 Oral sources from informants also asserted
that all most all governors who ruled wolaittta under woreda or Awuraja administrative
hierarchies folliwng the end of early kingdom were arignated from shoan aristocrats but a few
royal family members from local area were took power as they were collaborated with the
central government appointees.

Contrary to the oppressive rule of many governors who sent from central government, other a
few governors were also ruled wolaitta with strong devotion, responsible mamner and introduced
many developmental activities to the local inhabitants. For stance, although people lsot their
socio cultural economic and political freedoms that exercised under rule of several kings after
menelik’s forceful conquest, governors like Girmame Neway, Bogale wolalu and Fitawrari Desta
were still remembered as model governor whom maintain peace, justices, fair judgement at
count, legal charge and local peoples security and they also introduced modern education mainly
to decrease the rate of literacy and fought the old feudal rule economi and political relations of
‘balerist’ chisegna relations that hemilated the economy power of majoriyts of local peasants.
For stance, fitawarai Desta Fiseha awared the people to send children to school. To recover the
wolaitta traditions of hardworking cudlture thus people limited to drink alcoholic drinks and
initiated to plant coffee, ginger and others in all wredas.76

7
Contrary to the recognitions of these governors contributions, other criters strongly argued that
the political, economic and even socio natural developemtn of people was more better and well
developed during wolaittas independent self-state rule than fall in to central administration of
various monarchs. “wolaitta was never managed to reach the extent of political highness ever
since their incorporation to national state. The people were led by appointed leader from the
centre whose knowledge about the area was impaired. Above all, the rulers were came to
wolaitta mainly to exploit the resources and moved it to center.”77

Therefore, the researcher took the position that several governors who ruled wolaitta after
incorporation to central government system to 1974 had established and construed agebor system
rule but approached the local people not similarly and have had different ruling not /leadership
capacity/ skills. Fornstence, governors who came to wolaitta before Itally invasions were
cruelest, oppressive so that the local inhabitants seriously affected by political marginalization
and economic exploitations. This was due to the fact that emperor menelik II and his successors
feared off the people of wolaitta would rised rebellion and opened the war again to restore their
forther kingdom.

However, appointed governors who sent from central government after liberation from five years
Itally control; were similar with their predecessors in accomplishing the monarchs missions but a
few of them were contribute of several developmental activities that hould benefited the people
in their foci or economic and political ways of life.

Molever, concerning to arguments over political administrative of wolaitta incorporation in to

the central administration, the researcher argued on as it had disadvantages to the local
inhabitants and was seen as effective task by monarchs to accomplish the plan of unifying and
forming recent Ethiopia.

Hence, from national dimension, the emperor menelik’s to conquest of wolaitta after many war
fought was recognized as it conducted mainly to include the state of wolaitta in to present
territory of Ethiopia, thus the people of wolaitta mixed with other ethnic groups in culture
economy and socio political activities. From local level dimension, the end of former
independent kingdom of wolaitta exposed the local inhabitants to the forceful adoption of new

8
culture, social values and political rule in place of their traditional ruling system which gave
political freedom.

Therefore, the incorporation of wolaitta in to central rule of emperor menelik II since 1894 had
multi-dimensional effects which could observed both local and national level separately.

4.2 Political Administrative reforms During Italy Invasions

In the post-Italy conquest periods, there was relative reforms in the political-administrative
structures both at national level and local areas. Hence, the territorial administrative structures of
Ethiopia was leveled as central Awuraja, Teklay gizat, Awuraja, woreda and vice woredas.
Accordingly, shewa, wollo and Hararge were established as Awuraja center for all forthern
Teklay gizat administrative hierarchies. Wolaita was structured under Awuraja level for entire
periods of autocratic monarchical rule until 1974 and included within sidamo Teklay gizat
political structure.78

The political administrative structure of Ethiopia in general and wolaitta in particularly were
varied before and after second Italy conquest. Hence, in both historical periods, the traditional
political system of several states of southern Ethiopia, foriticularly wolaitta was completely
changed and re-structured on the basis of making accessible and simple to central governors for
controlling these areas.

Before Italy conquest, there was strict autocratic monarchical rule was established by the central
government were appointed governors of the conquered territories and settled soldiers owned a
‘maderia’ farm lernd which cultivated by the free laubor forees local inhabitants. However, in the
post-Italy conquest periods when the autocracy was restored, the national defence force was
formed to maintain national and local areas political security as result of this the appointed
governors who ruled various Teklay gizat, Awuraja and woredas hadno more authorities to form
their own defense forees. Hence, the national army had paid regular salary from the government
and the new ‘kuret’ tax system was introduced across the country mainly to replace in kind tax
form by paying taxes though money or curacy.79

In the context of wolaitta Awuraja, during their five consecutive years control of Ethiopia the
Italy governors representatives took administrative rules from central government appointees.

9
The new Italy governors had gave all lands of Netteigna (soldiers), melkeigna (appointed
governors) and church clergys to the peasants of local inhabitants. Hence, agebar system which
characterized both economic political rule of Ethiopian monarchs in wolaitta was vanished as the
obligatory free labor services and in kind taxes were rejected.

Furthermore, during their rule from 1937 to 1941 the Italians established military garrisons at
‘genere’ in the town of soddo. Peasants of local inhabitants well recognized the rule of Italians as
the Netteigna, melkeigna annclergys economic loads were highly decreased and wolaitta woreda
was newly structured at Awuraja administrative hierarchies with seven major woredas including
sodo zuria Damot Gale, Damot Woyde, Humbo, ofa, koysha and Boloso Respectively.80

However, oral sources from informants would reflect that unlike the gebar system rule, the Italy
soldiers introduced the immoral practices of foreign feeding, dressing customs/styles and
prostitutions also became rampant. Besides, peasants in wolaitta and descendents of former Tigre
dynasty rulers welcomed the new Italy rule as labor fee works replaced the free labor services,
gebor system ended and roads and cotton production farms expanded in the various parts of
wolaitta.81

Consequently due to various political administrative reforms that made in wolaitta by the Italy
governors whom retuned local inhabitants former political power freedom, a few farmous
individuals were appointed as governor of wolaitta Awuraja in the periods of during or after Italy
conquest of Ethiopia. Fornstence, persons like Bogale wolelu and Fitawarari Desta Fiseya were
appointed as governors of wolaitta Awuraja and become exceptional power holders whom
recruited from local inhabitants as contrast to the traditions of appointing various governors
from central government Ethiopia as result of menelik’s forceful conquest in 1894.82

Table: Governors of wolaitta Awuraja whom appintted from and ruled wolaitta during and after
Italy conquest of Ethiopia for the second times. (source: wana wagesho (2nd edit) pp.133-34)

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 No Name of governors Local title Year
1. Desta Fiseha Fitawrari
2. Gebresillasse Tona >>
3. Bekalo salfako >>
4. Dendu Degoye >>
5. Aymalo Bunare >>
6. Wolde Michael Basha
7. Demte Gobena >>
8. Tsegaye mengesha Bejjrond
9. Minase lema Ato
10. Bogale walelu >>
11. Abate mengesha >>
12. Mamo T/Giorgis Girazmach

Generally, during the post-Italy conquest period; political administration was reformed in
hierarchically dividing power to various levels of administrative hierarchies. Hence, the ministry
of state territory administration had an authority to appoint or dismiss lower level officials of
‘Teklay gizat’, Awuraja and woreda administrative hierarchies. Awuraja Governors were
accountable to the teklay gizat authorities and various woreda level administrators were also
responsible to Awuraja governors hierarchically. Thus, under new administrative structure, the
territory was divided in the Awuraja, woreda and miselene and the governors of Awaraja and
woreda were directly appointed by emperor Hailesillassie.88

Moreover, based on the newly reformed political administration that structured in the post-Italy
conquest/invasions, wolaitta was structured as one of eighty Awuraja administrative territory of
Ethiopia. Later, the territorial administration structure was reformed and developed in to Teklay
gizat, Awuraja, woreda and vice woreda administrations. Thus, more than forther Teklay gizat,
various Awaraja, woredas are vice-woredas were formed under strict control of the emperor’s
absolute political power.84

11
To sum up, the political influences and legacies of emperor menelikls forceful conquests that
lasted up to 1974 in wolaitta. Hence, several amateur, professional and international arbiters
argued that the conquest had resulted multiple crisis over the people while accomplishing the
emperor’s programs of unifying Ethiopia.

Fornstance, zebdiyos chema Geramo noticed inhemanitorian action of menelik’s conquest

against wolaitta as “የወላይታ ህዝብ በገዛ አገሩ ላይ በዓፍ ተጠቃ፣ አገር አቋርጦ ድንበር ጢሶ
ወላይታን ለማነቃት የመጣው የምንልክ ጦ ነበር፡፡ ለዚህ ዘመቻ ለጣሊን ወረራ ከማቸውን
ዘመናዊ የጦር መሣሪያዎችንም ተጠቅሞ የወላይታ ህዝብን ፈጄ፡፡ ለመከላከል የተሰለፈውንና
ያልተሰለፈውን አዴባልቀው ፈጅተዋል፡፡ በሞቴ ፌሳ ላይ የነበረውን አልባሳት ጭምር ገፍፌው
በመውሰድ ላይ የወላለታን ሕዝብ አሰከሬን ለሰማይ ወፎች ሲሳይ አደርገዋል፡፡86

Translated as:

The people of wolaitta lost its own land by the menelik’s conquered forees. To conquer wolaitta
the emperor used modern arms that early prepared for eventual war with Italy and arbitrarily
killed the people. Hence, both people who involved in the war front and civilians were killed.
The soldiers had taken even clothes from dead body and biras eaten the human dead body.

Another amateur writer adance Ayza Alaro also argued that the political administration of
wolaitta since from meneliks conquest to Italy conquest was badly perceived by the people and
was historically called as “Gachanodia” During these era, tolocal in habitents had duties to
prepare daily provisions like food to the soldiers, melkeigna or appointed governors.36
Furthermore, the fench journalist J.G vanderheym related the political legacies of menelik’s
conquest with peoples loss of early collected resources. The French journalist anote about the
material destruction of the conquest as “The number of captured were numerous, and at every
step the mules would stumble over human bodies, or else over livestock that the Abssinions had
started to eat, the flesh soil twitching before taking their work of destruction further on.” 87

Fancho Fanta andetial connected the long aged legacies of meneliks conquest with destruction of
traditional political-administrative system that used during the early rule of ‘Aruja’, wolaitta-
malla and ‘Tigre dynty’ regimes.

12
After the forceful incorporation in to menelik’s empire, the self-administrative state of wolaitta
was ender for entire periods, as result people discriminated and denied off basic political rights.
The Tigre dynasty that early ruled wolaita kindom since from sixteenth century was relaced by
emperor menelik’s centralized administration with the captured of its last king, kawo Tona
Gaga.88

Therefore, based on these writers arguments, the researcher would genuinely analyzed the
conquest of emperor menelik Ii on wolaitta as it had made the worst politically oppressive rule
that generated further socio-cultural and economic crisis. Hence, since 1894 in collusion of
wolaitta kingdom in to menelik’s empire, local inhabitants harmed by unfair inked tares,
destruction of historical palaces, heritages and people lost decision making rights on various
political issues and their farm lands were granted to the settled soldies, newly appointed
governors sent from center and church clergies.

Moreover, in comparing the social, cultural, economic (will be discussed in the next chapter) and
political influence of emperor menelik’s conquest on wolaitta, the political infwence was more
outhshine. Accordingly, during the rule of early kings, local inhabitants would have had more
freedom to exercise their indigenous socio-cultural and economic customs. However, since the
forceful incorporation in to Ethiopia Grrpire and being ruled by several Ethiopian monarchs till
1974, wolaitta people lost political freedom and responsible administrative rules as result various
indigenous traditional social values of using wolaitatto language, co-operative works morelitys
and cultural customs of Qaxara bulacha and others were lost their traditional origin and replaced
by the new traditions.

Chapter Five: Economic Influence

5.1. Peoples economic activity and potential resources before menelik’s conquest

Since form early times of its civilization the lard of woliatta was full of various vegetation and
cultivated fertile lends in all over the territory of its kingdom. Hence, when the French journalist
J.g vender leym first arrived to wolaitta with menelik’s army on December, 1894, he was
impressed by the fertile resarces of wolaitta. “The (wolaitta) land is extremely fertile meny
plantation of wheat, barley, coffee, tobacco , cotton and millet surround the vilcages and make
the country look prosperous. The vegetation is rich in fig trees, plan trees, ovive threes adetc.

13
The huts shaped like a beehive well built, and neat and tidy are cluttered inside by objects made
by the (wolaitta): beautiful jars kouse utensils meale of wood or goukas decorated with pearls
and shells. Skein of cotton, strigs of garlic and maize, bundles of thin metal strips used as trading
cuneney.”89 Thus, the economy of wolaitta was dominantly built mainly on agriculture, Arts and
trade activities which conducted with other peoples and states and currency also used for
exchange of trade items.

Accordingly, Agriculture was the main economic activity of wolaitta people since from earlier
times, hence every one cultivates his own field. Agricultural activities go together with raising
cattle plow the field and provide milk for the family.90 the cultivation techniques were
traditional method in that men plough using two oxen to draw the blade with its iron point. Thus,
Half of the day was spent in working with crops, and the other half was the hottest and used to
gaze animals and in socializing.

The most commonly cultivated agricultural crops and grains were poina (regumes) (badach)
maize, false banana (Enset) coffee (Tukia) and others particularly, the false banana (Enset) was
the typical and most important local crops and it mainly cultivated by womens. The enset plant
categorized as attuma uta (male banana) and macha uta (Female banana) with move than twenty
verities, the later were move liked due its softness and simple to reap. The mole trees of enset
including the roots the soffftwnk and leaves were cut by knives and then kept in large holes for a
period of one month to these years to fement. The plant can be eaten as a vegetable either raw or
boiled. Its dried levesmakes ropes, the fresh leaves used as food plants the rank used as a seat
and the waste matter was also best manure.91

Most commonly, cultural foods made from Enset (False-banana) births, deaths, circulation,
deaths, weddings and harvesting plants.92

Besides, the products of traditions artisans such as weaving, black-smiting and pottery were
emerged as one of the economic basis of wolaitta next to agriculture and trade activities. Hence,
the wolaitta kings palaces were surrounded by artisans since its state formation around mount
Damota. Thus, weavers produced colourful and beautiful cotton cloths to the king. Black
smitrers also made decorated golden metal and silver objects suckas king’s goldring and the
crom (kalacha) and the king’s horse decorations moreover, before the fall in to emperor

14
menelik’s empire incorporation, the kingdom of wolaitta had export those products of blacks
this and weavers to the neighboring states.93

Form stence, the black smithers produced various tools that used for war and marchuwa
(currency made of carved iron) fron iron. The weavers wove blankets, clothing and they also
dyed the cloth and the tanner artisans took care of the skin and horns of hunted animals thus they
produced Ivory which was rightly exported to the outside people during the time of kawo Gobe.94

When the international market for Ivory reached in to pick, the professions of tanners were
highly demanded among the royal king and animals like elephants, lions and leopards be came
the private property of the king only.95

Furthermore, trade also became the most important economic activity of wolaitta next to
Agriculture and followed by artisan works during the rule of various kings who used Dalbo as
political center until 1894’s menelik’s conquest of the kingdom. Hence, the capital Dalbo was
served as the national market place in which foreign merchants who came from Amhara, Gurage,
Jimma Eritrea and others traded with the kingdom of wolaitta. 96 These foreign merchants
traveled in caravans of several animals with soldiers and servants and were taxed based on the
cumber of animals they had when entering to wolaitta kingdom. During those trade relations or
exchanges, the kingdom of wolaitta merchants import trade items like cotton, blankets, Iron,
horns, cattle, mules and horses from kafa sidamo, and kambata and in beturn of those imports,
the kingdom exports lions, tusks of elephants, slaves, textile blankets and others.97

Moreover, asqesut of the efforts of the black-smithers wolaitta had used the currency called
marchuwa for exchange of various trading items during the medieval periods while pertaining
characterized the exchange system in other parts of Ethiopia. The French journalist J.G
venderheym expressed marchuwa long used as trading currency.”98 Oral sources claim that
people had been taxed for one ‘marchuwa’ which was equivalent to 18 maria Theresa thavens a
sum. These oral sources furtherly claim that during the reign of various Tigre dynasty kings, a
luge amount of marchuwa currency was stored (accumulated) at Dalbo palace (Kawo garruwa). 96
Thus, the kingdom of wolaitta was regarded or identified as one of well organized state which
had varieties in economic activities were people involved in agricultural and trade activities as
well as artisan waves a for domestics purposes and to reign exchanges. Hence, the tentacle lands,

15
vegetations, forests pants and animals that found abundantly in all comers of the kingdom
became basis for productivity in trade, agriculture and craft technology. Above all, the kingdom
of wolaitta have had used or experienced a modern medium of exchanges called marchuwa
which used as currency and it valued much more higher than 19 th C Ethiopia’s foreign currency
of maria there as trader. Thus, until the final captured of kawotona by emperor menelik’s
military troops around 1994, the kingdom of wolaitta might be an exceptional state in Ethiopia
continued to use its own currency. Besides, the earlier kings of Tigre dynastys settled artisans
like black smitters, tanners and weavers around Dalbo palace compound thus, they recognized
and gave administrative respect ion for artisan’s traditional technology inputs but later these
artisans discriminated as lower class during the rule of governors appointed by emperor menelik
II since 1894. Desklop

5.2. Traditional taxations system and currency

5.2. Traditional customs of taxation and currencies

Private property height like lands ownership rights were strongly defended among the people of
wolaitta during the rule of wolaitta malla and Tigre dynasty kings. During the Tigre dynasty rule,
new lends re-distributed to the heroic waniors (owancha), thus royal family members were
highly favored and got several lands that occupation thought the 19 th C war of conquest of the
kingdom against neighboring states.99

Besides, before the conquest of emperor menelik II. Land ownership customs was traditionally
distriputed among eth people as mayza ma ‘yagadia’ Awubita ‘ kawobita’ ‘Deriya bita’ and
bezobita’ Thus, traditionally lands were basically categorized as land of race, government (state)
and pblic lands respectively.100 Accordingly, a group of people who belongs to similar race or
clan typology had right to own or in haint the ‘mayza ma’iya’ land where as individuals who had
scored battles in times of territorial expansion had given ‘Awubita’ as gist from the king.
Besides, ‘Deriya bita’ granted to the public for celebrating annual festivity, public assembly,
decision making and other public services.

Moreover, people lived in the desert area commonly owned ‘bazobita’ and they must paid taxes
to the king annually.101

16
Therefore, traditional customs of land distributions that practiced in wolaitta before menelik’s
conquest was based on the rules of king where lands classified in variety to ‘different concerned
organs. Hence, people, state and heroe individuals enjoyed traditional land ownership rights with
duties of collecting and paying taxes (tribute) to the king once in a year based on amount of land
products. Thus, unlike the post meneliks conquest period lend administration, several kings who
ruled wolaitta underg wolaitta mallal and Tigre dynasty regime were distributed lends more
fairly and recognized the peasants traditional land ownership rights. Further more, the pre-
meneliks conquest times land distribution was not exploitative as the land owners paid tributes or
taxes only to the king and it conducted once or a year.

Resides, the traditional tax collection system was run in more decentralized manner with high
accountabilities were state officials like ‘garmachia’, balimola uduga’ ‘sangadana’ and the king
(kawo) were involved.102

Accordingly, social class groups of outcasts, slaves and widow women were exempted from
paying taxes to the king but everyone else had to pay tax or ‘gira’ on cattle and land twice a year.
People used agricultural products, animals outputs and later ‘marchuwa’ currency as major tax
paying items to the king.103

Court official ‘grmachia’ was responsible to count houses and animals of each country or
districts and bring the reports to the king.

Thus, the king and ‘balimola’ (councilors) decide amount of taxes could be imposed over each
distracts. The ‘Uduga’ and ‘sanga dana’ collect taxes at local level and their every activities were
controlled by ‘machon’ or ministers whereas the ‘tachia’ or royas collectors transported the
revenue to the palace. The ‘uduga’ and ‘sanga dana’ imposed the taxes based on peasants land
amount and size of herds. If these officials collected less amount of taxes from legally imposed
rate, they would be punished by the king.104

Concerning to medium of exchanges, before menelik’s conquest, wolaitta used gold, silver and
copper for making arnarments, tools hence, people made a currency called ‘marchuwa’ from a
curved bar of iron. Each bar of Iron was exchanged for 18 maria Theresa tallers, in the 1900’s.
cocal chiefs and wealthy people kept piles of these bars, and when they were accumulated ar

17
hundred or thousand, great teast was celebrated, with the king often appoint trem to higher
positions.105

However, the people of wolaitta used cotton products like ‘shaluwa’ and ‘kareta sina’ as
currency before the foundation of ‘marchuwa’ during early times of the kingdom. ‘shaluwa’ and
‘kareta sina’ were produced by weavers through weaving cloths. Some mitten sources claim that
‘marchuwa’ was begun to beused as wolaitta kingdoms medium of currency since saint
T/haimenoty preaching of Christianity at the top of mount Damota palace of motolomic around
13th century.

Moreover, marchuwa had been used as state currency in trading activities by people of Hadiya,
Dawuro, Gamo and Gofa until emperor menelik’s conquest of wolaitta in the second half of 19 th
C where marchuwa replaced by maria Theresa thallers foreign currency.106

However, in later times as result of menelik’s incorporation of wolaitta kingdoms, governors

who sent from central government appointed ‘chikasum’ to collect amount of taxes based on
local estimates arbitrarily with out discussing with the people an out the traditional tax collection
system.

Concerning to types of taxes that people precisely paid to the king, oral traditions claim that
‘mala’, santa’, Adura’ ‘kareta sina’ and ‘marchuewa’ were major taxes that paid to the king once
a year regularly.

Accordingly, ‘mala’ was a tax that provided to the king in terms of bringing bull oxen with
multiple colurs for preparing palace food and traditional worship sacrifices writle ‘santa taxe
types includes a collection of different types of cereals. ‘adara’ taxes involved a huge amount of
butter collected from each district and provided to the king were as ‘kareta sina’ taxes made from
cotton whihd was used as currency before ‘marachuwa’ and decorating cloths. A part from those
all tax types, marchuwa was the most widely used one as modern currency and paid to the king
as tax duties. Hence, marchuewa was made from smelting of Iron which accomplished by blacks
mithers.108

Therefore, unlike the post menelik’s conquest rule where local peasants land put under netteigna
(soldiers) and obliged to provide numerous provisions to settled soldiers, governors and church

18
clergys, the traditional land ownership, tax impositions customs were more focused over string
thening positive relations between people and state but it never emphasized on exploiting local
peasants.109

The local peasants had full rights to administer their land and be benefited from their farm land
products with fair tax duties that provided to the king’s palace once or twice a year. However,
these traditions were completely changed after the forceful in conporation of wolaitta kingdom in
to central administration since second half of 19th C people obliged to provide basic provisions
like egg, kitchen, goat, firewoods and drinks to soldiers (natteiga) Governors (melkeigna) and
clergys daily in high amount and quality. Hence, the traditional customs of land ownership and
distributions and tax collections did not made economic exploitation and load on local peasents
as peasants paid a minimum amount from their annual products to the king as a means of ‘mala’
‘santa’ ‘kareta sina’ and marchuwa tax catagories. Consequentely; incontrast with post menelik’s
conquest rule that forced people to migrate in to other areas uneass they paid the imposed
amount of taxes to melkeigna, nettligna and clergys regularly, the pre-conquest period of land
distribution and tax collection customs were highly enable people to permanently settled in their
land for entire periods.110

Thus, local peasants had been economically self-reliant productive and never decreased to the
status of tenancy and disc laced and taken in to other places as war captives during the rule fo
kings of wolaitta malla and Nigre dynasty. However, as result of menelik’s conquest of the state
of wolaita in the last decades of 19 th C, several peoples were became refige to Arsi, shawa, wollo
and Haragne as war captives of different war generals. For instance, menelik’s war generals
including Ras mengesha and Rasmikael have taken near to 9000 war captives from wolaitta.
Therefore, unlike the traditional customers of tax imposition and land distribution, post conquest
periods new settlers land ruling system decreased a productive age groups and displacement of
family members across many parts of wolaitta.111

19
Emergence

5.3: Gebar as a new economic system since 1894.

5.3.1. Post-conquest periods tax system

Since the elxentual incorporation in to central administration of emperor menelik II, wolaitta
severly exploited by northern settlers via excessive taxation that regularly paid to governors,
soldiers and orthodox church clergys. Hence, a new gebar (farmer) nefteigna (soldiers)
relationship system was formed were tax (tribute) was collected in each district and paid to
soldiers of the emperor. For each soldier, minimum five to hundred farmers were allocated.
Pesanty hold their land through inheritance but paid a high amount of their products to the settled
soldiers unless they would be displaced to other areas. 112 moreover, during the first five years of
emperor menelik’s rule since the incorporation time, wolaitta formed as ‘mad bet’ were farmers
(peasants) paid additional tribute directly to the emperor’s palace. Oral sources claim that
wolaitta ruled as ‘madbet’ at initial period of central government administration because the
emperor attracted by the fertility and abundant resources of wolaitta.113

In addition to gebar mode of tribute (tax) title (Asrat) was also imposed over peasants were ten
percent of products provided to the soldiers and varietys provisions also given to newly
appointed governors and clergys.

Accordingly, basic provisions/services such as preparing fire wod, loney, cultivating land of state
or orthodox church, preparing fences, roads, grains, butter or coffee were duties of peasants that
rendered for soldiers, appointed governors at different level and places of the emperor.114

Therefore, unless the relative fairness of tributes of wolaitta kingdom rule peasants met with
such an exploitative tax system that larmed their economic resources and labor powers during a
new gebbar neftergna system since tall wolaitta state. Accordingly, as they paid huge amount of
form products and additional labor services to church, settled soldiers and governors from center,
peasants of wolaitta were denied off traditional customs of landownership and accumulating their
products as which. Oral tradition sources claim that almost more than half of total products of
farmers were provide to the soldiers and governors.

20
Contrary to economic exploitation of peasants settled soldiers, newly appointed governors and
church clergys had no burden and were exempted from paying tribute/taxes. Nettcima (soldiers)
and appointed officials did not tried to assist farmers in modifying cultivation methods and
introducing new plants rather they simply consumed peasants products regularly.115

Moreover, the new exploitive tax system exposed formers/peasants to migration that led
displacement of families. Hence, in the condition were peasants tailed to pay the equivalent
amount of imposed taxes, they left their farmland and became tenant of other nefteigna.

Thus, anefteigna-gebar rule benefited a few groups from church, officials and soldiers but it
affected the economy and development of wolaitta for entire periods of 19 th and 20th C because
only peasants could have work load and tax duties and feed clergys, soldiers and governors
trough providing variety of provision and redering free labour services so that farmers couldn’t
change their products in to capital and the economy did not srown progress for entire periods of
post meneliks conquest periods until 1974.

In place of traditional lend distribution and tax collection customs, emperor menelik formed a
new a tax system called kutir gebar “in which people of every districts divided among the
emperor war generals and soldiers and thus peasants permanently paid tributes in kind, casher
emperor menelik imposed the “kuter gerar” tax system in which people obliged to pay taxes to
the government annually in the peacefully submitted regions without any war.117

Similarly, oral tradions sources also confirmed that emperor menelik such as exploitative “kutir
gebar” in wolaitta due to the fact that wolaitta submitted to central administration after
humiliation of meny lives and resources in the war.118

Hence, to effectively collect the “Futir gibir” in all parts of wolaitta a new administrative
structure which include Dejazmach, Abegaz, chikashum, lebashay, Awuchachin and Abalia were
formed from top to bettorn kebele hierarchical levels. Thus, the new administrative officials were
recruited from central government, local balabats and local subject peoples and they lad strong
obligations to collect tributes from peasants. Unlike the traditional tax systems of early kings,
“Kutir gibir” was tremors exploitative one because peasants paid varieties of tribute to soldiers,
governors, clergys and even to the emperor’s palace directly.

21
From government officials, the hierarchies of ‘miselene’ melkeigna and chikashem were formed
with various duties of collecting taxes from peasants. The ‘miselene’ was responsible to follow
up the process of tax collection and punished any who violate rules and he was appointed by
emperor or Awuraja govermor. Below miselene position, the melkeigna were formed either from
military shaleka or chief of various land owners and was responsible to check and follow up
whether peasants paid tribute regularly while the chikashum had authority to implement orders
from top officials. Finally, all tributes collected from peasants were taken in to central
government through governors of Teklaygizat or Awurajas.119 Those appointed officials were
conduct their tasks with high commitment so that the “kutir gibir” was continued in wolaitta until
relative reforms were made during Italy invasions of Ethiopia. Oral sources claim that tax
collection officials of miselene, Melkeigna and crikashun were promoted to the next level of
government administrative hierarchies based on their achievements in collecting more tribute
from peasants in their districts.120 Thus, officials who were appointed at different hierarchical
roles for the accomplishment of an exploitative “Kutir gibir” tax mainly to upgrade their powers.

Peasants paid the “Kutir gibir” interms of cash, in kind and free labor services to the soldiers,
governors and church clergys 12’. Accordingly, peasants (gebars) provided tenpercent of their
products like pizza, grains, firewood, honey Ivory or meat and other agricultural products to the
soldiers, governors and a laces. Hence other products like fish, craft items, products of black
imitrers and potters also paid as tax in each season of production moreover, these in kind taxes
also regularly paid to local governors and palaces during religious festivity new year celebration
and fasting times.122

Besides, peasants also paid tribute /taxes in the on cash using the mariatheresa thalers currency
but the imposition of taxes on cash was based on various measurements. Hence, gasha used to
impose the amount of taxes on cash over peasants farm land products. Moreover, the amount of
resources, family members number cattle number and other resources were counted to impose
taxes and the ‘kiret gibir’ was also paid to the government regularly. And it was reltively easy
then the first two one.

Furthermore freelabour taxes (tributes) includes cultivating governor’s land and rendering
various labor services to the church clergy and local ‘balabats’.

22
5.3.2: Emergence of gebar system as economic influence of menelik’s conquest

After the forceful incorporation of wolaitta through bloody war, emperor menelik put the
conquered people and their land under strict control of soldiers. Hence, after end of the war,
native peoples lend was divided as balabat meret (local royal governors land), gebor meret lend
of peasants), church lad and state layned. Gebar lend (land of peasants) was part of local farmers
land from which gebars (peasants) paid tributes of labour, crimes, agricultural product and Asrat
taxes to the netheigna soldiers, govern ors and church clergys. When the services of gebar lands
were ended government inhabited them as “gibir xal” land.

‘Balabat meret’ or local nobility class land include a lend that provided to the local royal family
members women accountable to the nefteigna governors in return for their services to the
governors appointed from center. Moreover, during the ‘gebar’ rule of post menelik’s conquest
period, several lands that identified as ‘maderiya meret’ yegind belmeret’, Betemengist meret
and ‘simon meret’ were provided to the neffeigna’s settled soldiers, governors and clergys
together with the free services of peasants in ever districts.124

Thus, since from forceful subjugation of wolaitta around and of 19 th C, therewly established
political rule was emphatized over controlling or dominating lend of peasants of conquered state
as land was major economic sources of the time across Ethiopia and particularly in wolaitta.
Therefore, agerar-nefteigna’ relation was imposed a huge economic load plover peasants who
were left with an obligations to cultivate farmlands of vocal nobilities, churches, state more over,
peasants had duties to pay tributes/taxes from their own land products regularly to the settled
soldier of the emperor.

Basically, in feudal ruling system, society divided as ‘gult’ and gebar’ class based on their
economic resources and dominations. A gult class comprises off a group of society who run
political power and controlled the land of peasants as major economic resources trus, peasants
(gebars) became servants or tenants of the gult class. Hence, gult class have had absolute lend
ownership rights and they could have legen power to in herit and transfer the land of gebors or
peasants until the end of feudal rule in 1974. Thus, the 1931 constitution of emperor
Hailasillassie confirmed the legal foundation or basis of economic and political dominance of
gult class over other social class of society in 1931.125 contrarily, the gebar class consisted

23
Majority of societys but they were deniodaft possible political and economic power rights in the
sate. Gebar class could enjoyed economc rights of benafiting frm their land products if the gult
class (land cords) allowed and shown willingness. Hence, peasants (gebans) provided more
percent of their products to the gult class who had no work loads in the society. However, gebors
could serve the gult class in their labour and land products but they had right touse their land
products. Thus, gebar class did not meant that they were tenents because in feudal ruling system,
tenents had no lend ownership right rather they serve others and could share their labor products
based on the contract with gult owners.126

Literally gebor refers to farmers who provided products from their land to non-working classes
of empero, soldiers clergys and local governors appointed by top officials sent from central
government. Therefore, gebor system was established in wolaitta 1894 and continued until the
coming of Derg rule in 1974 except the five sears rule of Italy were peasants got relative freedom
from gebar rule influences and explatatins. In the gebar system rule society divided or classified
as working and non-working class in which peasants have work loads and served from working
class were as these non-working class ecouclnot work but they have had full rights to consume
products of peasants.

Accordingly, oral traditions confirmed that sicne form emperor meneliks conquest of wolaitta,
the melkeign’s and NEtherigna were emersed as cron-working class who leved though services
of gebars (local famers). Hence, during emperor Hailesilassie regime, lower officials like Abera,
Bale mazgaba and chikashum have had duties to order gebors plough the ladn o melkeigna and
nefteignas as administrative rule. The labor services and tributes collected from gebars were
served as monthly salary that paid to the gult class of melikeigna, neftigna and church clergys. 127
Some other informants more asserted that gebars had extra obligations in that they provided
special gifts of butter, kitchen, gult class mebers in the times of religious or annual festivity of
meskel, end of fests and New bear celebrations. However, the people of wolaitta contrived their
struggle ageists oppressive and exploitative rule of gebar system. Hence, people stated to kill the
melkeigna families and destroyed their resources despite any uprising against the melkeigan
would resulted serious punishments.128 Thus, both top officials appointed by emperor and lower
level power officials had played a great role for the effective implementation of gebar system
that decreased many local inhabitants to the status of gebar, tenant or slaves.

24
Moreover, due to the strong oppositions from local inhabitents, the neffeigna and mekeigna
selers were only stationed at military in soddo and they only collect tributes but lands belong to
the gebars as oral traditions claimed.

Besides, as contrast to the claims of oral traditions that settled soldiers governors and church
clergts dinot owned lend in every part of wolaitta, archival sources like early letters confirmed
that these gult classes had gives lands as “madeniya lend” mele their families lived for entre
periods with local inhabitants. Fornstance, in the petition letter that mitten fro mr Dagim Abate
to the ministry of state territory Aman provided a petitions government allow to contrnously use
his fathers land as ‘maderiya’ meret’. Although the (wolaitta) ahuraja territory office accepted
the request of in hinting his fathers land asmadeniya meret; later the ‘Xeklay gizat’ ignored the
requiest despite others were allowed to use ‘maderiya’ land

Therefore, new settlers of soldiers, melkeigna (governors) and orthodox church clergys owned a
gift land caved ‘madeniya meret’ in various parts of wolaitta and their ancestors also continued
to be settled and lived in the inherited land of medeniya land despite a few persons denied off
inhabiting these lands due to bureaveracy.

In addition to soldiers who fought in different war fronts were gifted with lands as madenita or
kelad meret in wolaitta. Hence, many ancestors of these soldiers had given lands via the order of
ministry of state territory even if ‘xeklay gizat’ or Awuraja officials ignored familes of soldiers
from in herting the land. Accordingly in the year _____ mr Abate kebede mote aretition letter to
the ministry of state temitovity and requested legal permission from the emperor to inharit his
tathers ‘madenya’ land that found in Duguna Fango kebele of wolaitta Awuraja. He complained
about the Awuraja and Teklay gizat governors banned the maderiya meret inhert request and
expexted positive response from the emperor as he and his father had served the country in
different war field throughout their life the.130 Thus, although wolaitta well protected its land
during the rule of different monarchs of Ethiopia, a few ancestors of early settled nefteigna
(soldiers), melkeigna and clargys were inherited land and permanently settled in many territorial
land of wolaitta. Therefore, the gult classes were more served by the eabor of gebars (local
farmers) and collected tributes but they owned lands that given by emperor as gift.

25
During his visit to wolaitta, the emperor practically observed peasants poor livelihood and over
crowded elements with low resources due to gebar exploitation since emperor menelik Ii
conquest. However, men the emperor met with peasants, nefteigna’s vocal balabats and church
clergys, the people witnessed that they did not revenged neftiegna governors like other conquest
territory. As result, Hailesillasie declared the early settled soldiers melkeigna to live wolaitta and
taken in to other conquered territories like Arsi.150

Oral traditions claimed that nefteigana governors were not revenged in wolaitta as many
youngsters migrated to other areas and only children women’s and oldage groups remained in the
territory for entire periods.151 Contrary, other few oral evidences asserted that people lost unity to
struggle against gebar rule since conquest period due to collaboration of local balabats with
Nefteigna and melkeigna governors seeking cuxerous life political power position. Hence, local
governors became loyal to neftegan and melkiegna governors of central government appointees
to get political titles of ‘balabat’ Abegaz’ sangadana ‘Huduga’ and Nechlebashi’152 Thus, ge bar
rule was continued to be practiced by nefteigna and melkeigna governors in wolaitta until
emperor Hailesillasie visit to the area that resulted relative freedom to peasants.

Hence, from the above two narration reflected by oral sources as reson for passive struggle
against gebar rule, the collaboration of local governors with neftergna and melkeigna played
more sounding role because these local governors did have a good know low about the society
and provided intelligence services. Therefore, local officials service to nefteigna governors
exposed peasants to gabar rule exploitation as result many youngsters dislaced and become
refuge to areas a way from wolaitta rather to struggle the gebar rule

Furthermore, based on Hailesillasie order lend ownership right was graranteed to local balabats
and the remained nefteigna governors in all corners of wolaitta. These lend owners were become
‘bale mzagaba’ with authority to collect taxes from gebaras who lived in his territory and paid to
the ministry of revenue (arrency) once a year. Balamazgab’ paid the collected taxes from gebars
who identified/ called in his land ownership list and legal receits also written in his name. other
gebars who lived under balamazgaba list had no right to have legal tax fee receipt from
government.153

26
Moreover, after restored in to palace, emperor Hailesilassie I declared peasants to have list right
in which individuals inherit lend from their family and left with a duties to pay list taxes/tribute
to the government which called as ‘kuret’ taxes. In kind taxes that previously paid to Notteigna
and melkeigna governors as means labor services and rendening house hold provisions were
cancelled except for labor service taxes ginadbel meret were continued. Top from government
officials such as ministers civil servants governors of teklay gizat and Awurajas were put under
monthly salary payment system.154 Generally, before the Italy invasion there was gult land
ownership system were a lend guaranteed to a prison from emperor for his a achievements in
fields like war tasks. In gult system, individuals had no full. Land ownership right. However
after Italy conquest period, Rist (In heriting land from one’s family) was formally established in
all conquered territory of Ethiopia including wolaitta. Local governors bought lands from
Nefteigna and melkeigna governors and cultivated new farm lands in lowland areas and owned
these land as rist land. In later times many individuals with vast land started to pay taxes to
government and freed their land from ‘balamzagaba’ and inherited them to their families. 155

Both interims of tax duties and guaranteed land ownership rights. Therefore, the economy of
peasants who found in all parts of wolaitta shown relative progress as a high amount of multi-
dimensional from of taxes that previously paid to Nefterigna and melkigna were cancelled and
pesants enjoyed Rist land ownership rights. Taxes that paid based on the number of gebars
(Gebar Kutir) in the pre-Italia conquest was replaced by ‘kuret gibir’. However, in the list land
ownership custom vast land ownership customers form lands were put under control of local
‘balabats’ (governors) when Nefteigna and ‘melkeigna’ governors were widthchew from
wolaitta based on emperor Hailesillasie official order. As result peasants became servants
(Tiseigna) of local balabats until the final collapse of gebar rule in Ethiopia and wolaitta
simultaneously thus people demied of their land ownership rights that persisted during the five
years Italians rule. The refore, liberation from Italy colonial control up to end of feudal rule
together with monarchical political approach, a gebar rule was dominantly exercised and led by
local balabats whom exploited peasants like as Nefteigan and Melkeigna.156

In addition to that, in the post Italy conquest period, tax collection system and imposed amounts
were not fixed due to the fact that government officials were not focused on controlling bebars
land. They emphasized over preparing public rist list and organizing state maderiya mert

27
documents. As result, several petitions taken to emperor Hailesileassie as problems occurred on
land ownership and tax collection method (techniques). According to a letter mitten from _____
to ______, peasants expressed unexpected (illegal) increment of tax amount by local officials.

Although, peasants continued to struggle against their economic exploitation, by local governors
or officials, emperor Hailesillassie appointed many officials with a mendate to maintain
gebarrule customs and these officials governed wolaitta from liberation period to outbreak of
1974 popular revolution of Ethiopia with varied approaches.

1. Fitawrari Girma mamo

2. Dejazmach Geresu duki
3. Dejazmach Bekele woya
4. Colonel Desta shewa rekabih
5. Keignazmach Bekele zelelaw
6. Fitawrari G/kirstos mekonen
7. Dejasmach Tademe zeleke
8. Fitawrari Desta fiseha (the only Awuragovemor appointed from wolaitta)
9. Ato Grmame Neway
10. Ato kebede Desta
11. Desas mach w/semayat G/wold
12. Keignazmach Akelok zeleke
13. Shaleka H/mariam lencho157

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