Imamate of Aussa

Harar which had held the position of the capital for 58 years between 1519 and 1576, was too exposed to the frequent Oromo attacks and as a result, lost its strategic importance. Consequently, the new Imamate decided to relocate its capital to Aussa, which was more defensible and provided a more secure location to govern from. This decision was made in light of the challenging circumstances that the Imamate was facing and the need for a capital that could withstand external threats. As a result, Aussa became the new seat of power and played a critical role in the history and development of the Imamate.[2]After the transfer of the government seat to Aussa by Imam Muhammed Gasa.[3][4], from the month of Jumad al-Akhirah of the year 1576 onwards, the region came under the rule of a representative of the Imam of Aussa. This marked a significant change in the political structure of the region and the beginning of a new era of governance.[5][6][7]

Aussa in the late sixteenth century Arabic text of Harar "Taʾrīkh al-mulūk" was stated to be occupied by the Adalite holding the title Hegano and had already become a breeding ground for those opposing the rulers of Harar based Adal Sultanate.[8] Several historians state the imamate was of Harari origin.[9][10][11][12]

This polity was marred with internal conflicts between Harla and Arabs.[13] In 1647, the rulers of the Emirate of Harar broke away to form their own polity. The Dardöra (Darood) imams of Harla who had established themselves in Aussa since the 13th century and the new Harla migrants associated with Imam Gasa came into conflict.[14] Within the oasis, the complexity of the situation results from the three groups present.

The Harálla , whether sedentary people who drained and cultivated Aussa in the 14th century, The established called Dardöra (Darood) by the locals, in permanent disunity and the sedentary Awsimára, torn between allegiance and resistance. Around 1628-36, Ahmad Yäwwi, chief of the Harálla, restructured the land system by tracing the boundaries of the fields.[15] This led to tensions between the imams and the sedentary locals, including the Harálla, who became the landowners known as baddá-h abbá. However, the stages that led to the expansion of the Debné and We'ima to the west and south of the oasis, as well as the Mödaytó to the north, remain incompletely known. It is believed that this expansion was favored by the Harálla, who were in search of external support in their struggle against the Arab imams.

With the help of the Modaytó, the Harálla provoked the burning of the residence of the Imam Salmän in Handág, which is believed to be located in Wablé Fánta, at the confluence of the Nangaltá and Afal-Gedé. The imam died in 1750, and Salmän is reputed to be the last imam of Gara. His successor was the ancestor of the Dúrussó fraction, Mahammad "Düs" (around 1750-1760), who became the first Harálla "Sultan" of Awsa and was referred to as "Rais" in Arab chronicles.[16][17] [18][19] According to Heloise Mercier, the inhabitants of Harar who had migrated to Aussa were unable to maintain their customs and dialect contrary to those who lingered in Harar.[20] In the seventeenth century the induction of upland populations of Harla and Doba into Afar identity would lead to the emergence of Aussa Sultanate.[21]

The Kabirto of Harla who originate from the Walasma dynasty were overthrown in 1769 by the Mudaito dynasty of Afar, the descendant of Kabirto shaykh Kabir Hamza, preserved their history through manuscripts.[22][23] Enrico Cerulli asserts although Aussa became dominated by Afar people, the ancient Semitic speaking Muslim kingdom survived in the form of the Emirate of Harar post 1700s.[24]