Until 19th century
Tigré and Endarta, Ethiopia
Ras Walda Sellase was the dominant ruler of Tigré at the beginning of the nineteenth century and lord of Endarta. Formerly responsible for salt caravans, he governed a large territory between the Red Sea-facing highlands and the mountains near Gondar. He sought influence over the Ethiopian imperial succession, pursued access to European firearms and technical knowledge, and intervened repeatedly in disputes over the Red Sea coast.
Continue exploring
The Story
Ras Walda Sellase controlled Tigré at the opening of the nineteenth century and was presented as the most powerful chief in Ethiopia. His base in Endarta overlooked the Afar or Danakil Depression, a region whose rock salt circulated both as a commodity and as primitive money. His earlier position as balgada, the official in charge of salt caravans, gave him practical knowledge of one of the region’s important trade systems.
His authority extended across a vast domain from the highlands within sight of the Red Sea to the high Samen mountains near Gondar. Walda Sellase governed according to established custom and exercised judicial, distributive, and military authority: disputes and inheritances were referred to his decision, while many wars were conducted personally. His power rested on both regional political control and command of routes connecting the coast, salt-producing lowlands, and the Ethiopian interior.
Walda Sellase wished to become guardian of the nominal emperor, then under the influence of the Yajju Oromo dynasty in Amhara. He also sought contact with Britain and requested firearms from George III in 1810, together with assistance in obtaining an abuna from the Coptic clergy of Egypt. His ambitions reveal how Ethiopian rulers linked political consolidation to access to Red Sea commerce, foreign technology, and ecclesiastical authority.
Until 19th century
Tigré and Endarta, Ethiopia
Ras Walda Sellase was the dominant ruler of Tigré at the beginning of the nineteenth century and lord of Endarta. Formerly responsible for salt caravans, he governed a large territory between the Red Sea-facing highlands and the mountains near Gondar. He sought influence over the Ethiopian imperial succession, pursued access to European firearms and technical knowledge, and intervened repeatedly in disputes over the Red Sea coast.
Continue exploring
The Story
Ras Walda Sellase controlled Tigré at the opening of the nineteenth century and was presented as the most powerful chief in Ethiopia. His base in Endarta overlooked the Afar or Danakil Depression, a region whose rock salt circulated both as a commodity and as primitive money. His earlier position as balgada, the official in charge of salt caravans, gave him practical knowledge of one of the region’s important trade systems.
His authority extended across a vast domain from the highlands within sight of the Red Sea to the high Samen mountains near Gondar. Walda Sellase governed according to established custom and exercised judicial, distributive, and military authority: disputes and inheritances were referred to his decision, while many wars were conducted personally. His power rested on both regional political control and command of routes connecting the coast, salt-producing lowlands, and the Ethiopian interior.
Walda Sellase wished to become guardian of the nominal emperor, then under the influence of the Yajju Oromo dynasty in Amhara. He also sought contact with Britain and requested firearms from George III in 1810, together with assistance in obtaining an abuna from the Coptic clergy of Egypt. His ambitions reveal how Ethiopian rulers linked political consolidation to access to Red Sea commerce, foreign technology, and ecclesiastical authority.
Continue the journey
Other paths related to this story.