Kingdom of Gera facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kingdom of Gera
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| 1835–1887 | |||||||
The five Oromo kingdoms of the Gibe region
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| Capital | Chala (Cira) | ||||||
| Religion | Sunni Islam, Christianity | ||||||
| Government | Monarchy | ||||||
| Donacho | |||||||
| History | |||||||
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• Established
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1835 | ||||||
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• Annexed by Ethiopian Empire
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1887 | ||||||
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The Kingdom of Gera was an old kingdom in the Gibe region of Ethiopia. It appeared in the late 1800s. This kingdom had borders with other kingdoms like Kingdom of Gumma to the north and Kingdom of Gomma to the east. The Gojeb River separated it from the Kingdom of Kaffa in the south. The capital city of Gera was Chala (also called Cira). Today, the area of the Gera kingdom is similar to the modern Gera district in Ethiopia.
Contents
Life in the Kingdom of Gera
The Kingdom of Gera was located in a valley surrounded by gentle hills. However, there were large swampy areas in the northern hills. In 1880, about 15,000 to 16,000 people lived in this kingdom.
The people of Gera grew corn, but they had a different planting schedule than other nearby kingdoms. While others planted corn in February and harvested in July, Gera farmers planted in April and harvested in August.
The Land of Honey
Gera was, and still is, famous for its rich honey. Gera honey was known as the best in all of Ethiopia. There were eight different types of honey grown in Gera. The finest kind was called Ebichaa, which means "dark" honey.
From Ebichaa honey, people made a special drink called dadhi. This drink was enjoyed by kings and important people in the Gibe region. Because Ebichaa honey was so special and tasty, the king controlled its production. It was a royal monopoly, meaning only the king could sell it.
Mount Ijersa
Gera is also home to Mount Ijersa. The Oromo people consider this mountain to be very sacred. They believe that God will sit there during the Last Judgement.
The rulers of the Kingdom of Gera had a special royal title. They were called Donacho.
History of Gera
Some historians believe that the monarchy in Gera existed even before the Great Oromo migration in the 1500s. However, other historians say that Gera was the last of the Gibe kingdoms to be formed.
Founding the Kingdom
The Kingdom of Gera was founded around 1835 by a successful war leader named Gunji. He became the first king, but he died shortly after. This first royal family ended when King Tulu Ganje was killed by King Oncho of Gumma.
A new royal family was started by Abba Baso. However, he was not a popular ruler. His brother, Abba Rago, later overthrew him. Abba Baso was then sent away to live in Jimma.
Prosperity and Conversion
The kingdom became most successful under King Abba Magal. He became a follower of Islam, even though some of his people still practiced Christianity.
It is not fully clear which Gibe king helped Abba Magal convert to Islam. Some say it was Abba Jubir of Gumma. Others believe it was Abba Bagibo of Limmu-Ennarea. Abba Bagibo offered to help Abba Magal become king if he allowed Muslim teachers into his kingdom. Later, Abba Jubir also helped him.
The End of the Kingdom
After King Abba Magal died, his wife, Genne Fa, ruled for their young son. In 1887, Gera was conquered by a powerful leader named Dejazmach Besha Abua. Both Genne Fa and her son became prisoners in Jimma.
See also
In Spanish: Reino de Gera para niños
