19th century – 19th century
Agamé and Tigré, Ethiopia
Dajazmach Sabagadis was a ruler of Agamé who emerged victorious from the succession struggle following Ras Walda Sellase’s death in 1816. He sought British military and technical assistance, dispatching William Coffin to Britain in 1827, but the arms sent in response were intercepted by Egypt at Massawa. Sabagadis later fought the Yajju and was captured and executed.
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The Story
After Ras Walda Sellase died in 1816, Tigré entered a fierce succession struggle. The eventual victor was Dajazmach Sabagadis of Agamé, a province situated on the route from the salt depression. His rise placed a regional ruler with strong interests in trade routes and military resources at the centre of Tigré’s political competition.
Sabagadis sought to strengthen his position through foreign military and technical support. In 1827 he sent William Coffin, the servant of the British traveller Henry Salt, to Britain with a request for aid. The British responded by sending arms, but Egyptian forces intercepted the consignment at the port of Massawa before it could reach Sabagadis.
He subsequently fought against the Yajju dynasty, which exercised major influence in the Ethiopian highlands. The conflict ended with his capture and execution, closing a short but significant phase in the succession politics of Tigré. His career illustrates the importance of firearms and Red Sea access in the struggles among Ethiopian regional rulers.
19th century – 19th century
Agamé and Tigré, Ethiopia
Dajazmach Sabagadis was a ruler of Agamé who emerged victorious from the succession struggle following Ras Walda Sellase’s death in 1816. He sought British military and technical assistance, dispatching William Coffin to Britain in 1827, but the arms sent in response were intercepted by Egypt at Massawa. Sabagadis later fought the Yajju and was captured and executed.
Continue exploring
The Story
After Ras Walda Sellase died in 1816, Tigré entered a fierce succession struggle. The eventual victor was Dajazmach Sabagadis of Agamé, a province situated on the route from the salt depression. His rise placed a regional ruler with strong interests in trade routes and military resources at the centre of Tigré’s political competition.
Sabagadis sought to strengthen his position through foreign military and technical support. In 1827 he sent William Coffin, the servant of the British traveller Henry Salt, to Britain with a request for aid. The British responded by sending arms, but Egyptian forces intercepted the consignment at the port of Massawa before it could reach Sabagadis.
He subsequently fought against the Yajju dynasty, which exercised major influence in the Ethiopian highlands. The conflict ended with his capture and execution, closing a short but significant phase in the succession politics of Tigré. His career illustrates the importance of firearms and Red Sea access in the struggles among Ethiopian regional rulers.
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