Battle of Chelenqo
   HOME

TheInfoList



OR:

The Battle of Chelenqo (also spelled Chalanko, Chalenko, Calanqo, Calanko, Chelenko, etc.) was an engagement fought on 9 January 1887 between the army of
Shewa Shewa ( am, ሸዋ; , om, Shawaa), formerly romanized as Shua, Shoa, Showa, Shuwa (''Scioà'' in Italian language, Italian), is a historical region of Ethiopia which was formerly an autonomous monarchy, kingdom within the Ethiopian Empire. The ...
under '' Negus'' Menelik and Emir
'Abd Allah II ibn 'Ali 'Abd ash-Shakur Amir Abdullahi, formally Abd Allah II ibn 'Ali 'Abd ash-Shakur or Amir Hajji 'Abdu'llahi II ibn 'Ali 'Abdu's Shakur ( – 1930), was the last amir of Harar and ruled from late 1884 to 26 January 1887, when the state was terminated, following th ...
of
Harar Harar ( amh, ሐረር; Harari: ሀረር; om, Adare Biyyo; so, Herer; ar, هرر) known historically by the indigenous as Gey (Harari: ጌይ ''Gēy'', ) is a walled city in eastern Ethiopia. It is also known in Arabic as the City of Saint ...
. The Harari forces were routed, and Negus Menelik afterwards occupied and annexed the city of Harar.


Background

Negus Menelik, in response to Italian control of parts of
Eritrea Eritrea ( ; ti, ኤርትራ, Ertra, ; ar, إرتريا, ʾIritriyā), officially the State of Eritrea, is a country in the Horn of Africa region of Eastern Africa, with its capital and largest city at Asmara. It is bordered by Ethiopia ...
and the port of
Massawa Massawa ( ; ti, ምጽዋዕ, məṣṣəwaʿ; gez, ምጽዋ; ar, مصوع; it, Massaua; pt, Maçuá) is a port city in the Northern Red Sea region of Eritrea, located on the Red Sea at the northern end of the Gulf of Zula beside the Dahlak ...
, had begun to import firearms and munitions through the French-controlled ports of
Djibouti Djibouti, ar, جيبوتي ', french: link=no, Djibouti, so, Jabuuti officially the Republic of Djibouti, is a country in the Horn of Africa, bordered by Somalia to the south, Ethiopia to the southwest, Eritrea in the north, and the Red ...
. By 1886, Emir 'Abd Allah of Harar had blocked transport of these arms through his territories. The massacre of the Italian explorer Count
Pietro Porro Pietro is an Italian masculine given name. Notable people with the name include: People * Pietro I Candiano (c. 842–887), briefly the 16th Doge of Venice * Pietro Tribuno (died 912), 17th Doge of Venice, from 887 to his death * Pietro II Can ...
and his entire party in April 1886, allegedly at the emir's command, gave the Negus an excuse to march on Harar. Menelik had desired control of the city of Harar for some time. Although the army of Shewa was a veteran force with contemporary rifles, and numbered in the thousands, Negus Menelik sought to avoid war, and in January 1887, offered 'Abd Allah the same kind of autonomy that
Abba Jifar II ''Moti'' Abba Jifar II ( om, Mootii Abbaa Jifaar; 1861 – 1932) was King of the Gibe Kingdom of Jimma (r. 1878–1932). Reign Abba Jifar II was king of Jimma, and the son of Abba Gomol and Queen Gumiti. He had several wives: Queen Limmiti, ...
of the
Kingdom of Jimma The Kingdom of Jimma ( om, Mootummaa Jimmaa) was an Oromo people, Oromo kingdom in the Gibe region of Ethiopia that emerged in the 18th century. It shared its western border with Limmu-Ennarea, its eastern border with the Sidama people, Sidamo K ...
enjoyed; the Emir refused this offer.


Prelude

A year before the battle of Chelenqo near Hirna, a few troops led by Menelik's general made an attempt to invade Harar. Menelik's informant Asme Giyorgis, conceded the initial push towards Harar by Walda Gabryiel was a failure as the Amir's soldiers used
fireworks Fireworks are a class of Explosive, low explosive Pyrotechnics, pyrotechnic devices used for aesthetic and entertainment purposes. They are most commonly used in fireworks displays (also called a fireworks show or pyrotechnics), combining a l ...
to startle his men, forcing a retreat. According to Harari accounts, Walda Gabryiel's army were strategically pushed into a corn field full of spikes which pierced their feet, immobilizing them.


The Battle

Knowing that he was heavily outnumbered, and his troops had only obsolete matchlocks and a few
cannon A cannon is a large- caliber gun classified as a type of artillery, which usually launches a projectile using explosive chemical propellant. Gunpowder ("black powder") was the primary propellant before the invention of smokeless powder ...
s, Emir 'Abd Allah decided to attack on early in the morning of
Ethiopian Christmas The Ethiopian Christmas (Amharic: ገና; ''Genna'') is celebrated by the Ethiopian Orthodox, Eritrean Orthodox as well as the Protestant and Catholic denomination in Ethiopia on 7 January (Tahsas 29 in the Ethiopian calendar). A distinct feature ...
(January 9), expecting the Shewans to be unprepared and befuddled with food and alcohol. However, Negus Menelik had worried about a surprise attack, and kept his men at alert. The Emir's men opened fire at 11:00 am. The Shewan soldiers quickly took the advantage and Makonnen's column destroyed the enemy artillery; in twenty minutes, Menelik's troops are victorious. Menelik pursued the retreating emir to Harar, whose ancient walls would not long resist his assault. Once again 'Abd Allah refused to surrender, then fled into the desert, leaving his uncle to negotiate the city's surrender. With the occupation, the independence of Harar came to an end.


Consequences

Finally having conquered Harar, Menelik extended trade routes through the city, importing valuable goods such as arms, and exporting other valuables such as coffee. He would place his cousin, Makonnen Wolde Mikael in control of the city.


See also

* Battle of Embabo *
Harar Harar ( amh, ሐረር; Harari: ሀረር; om, Adare Biyyo; so, Herer; ar, هرر) known historically by the indigenous as Gey (Harari: ጌይ ''Gēy'', ) is a walled city in eastern Ethiopia. It is also known in Arabic as the City of Saint ...
*
Harari People The Harari people ( Harari: Gēy Usuach, "People of the City") are Semitic-speaking ethnic group inhabiting the Horn of Africa. Members traditionally reside in the walled city of Harar, called simply ''Gēy'' "the City" in Harari, situated in t ...
*
Ittu Oromo Ituu ( om, Ituu Carcar) is one of clan of the Oromo people. This group lives dominantly in the present-day West Hararghe Zone. The correct term for the land of Ituus is "Chercher" or "Ona Ituu" (the Ituu Province). It is believed the extinct Harla ...
* Arthur Rimbaud


References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Chelengo 1887 in Ethiopia Battles involving Ethiopia Conflicts in 1887 January 1887 events Menelik's Expansion Campaigns