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14th century – 15th century

Se'adedin

Adal, Harar plateau, Zeila

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Se'adedin was a Walasma prince and, with his brother Haqedin II, a founder of the Walasma kingdom of Adal. After Haqedin's death, he ruled Adal independently and led repeated attacks against the Christian frontier provinces of Dawaro and Bali. His campaigns brought him renown among Muslim writers, but Emperor Dawit defeated him, captured him at Zeila, and had him executed in 1403.

Territory · Character

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Ask Uriti

  • Who was Se'adedin and what was their influence?
  • What role does Se'adedin play in the Adal region?
  • What is the link between Se'adedin and Zeila?
  • About Se'adedin: can you clarify “Founder of the Walasma kingdom of Adal”?

The Story

Founder of Walasma Adal

Se'adedin belonged to the Walasma family of Ifat and helped establish a new political centre around the Harar plateau with his brother Haqedin II. Together they gave new force to an anti-Christian Muslim movement in the eastern Ethiopian region. Their dynasty soon overshadowed earlier holders of the title “king of Adal” and became the principal authority between Harar and the Gulf of Aden.

After Haqedin II died, Se'adedin assumed full powers in Adal and renewed the struggle against the Christian empire. He concentrated his attacks on Dawaro and Bali, frontier provinces that had been incorporated into Christian Ethiopia. His forces carried away cattle and slaves as booty, and their successes repeatedly disturbed the security of the eastern frontier during the closing decades of the fourteenth century.

Defeat and death at Zeila

Se'adedin's fortunes changed during his final confrontation with Emperor Dawit, who ruled the Christian empire from 1380 to 1412. Dawit launched energetic campaigns into the Harar plateau and repeatedly defeated the Walasma prince. In 1403, he pursued Se'adedin to Zeila, where Se'adedin was captured and executed.

The death of Se'adedin weakened Muslim power temporarily and forced his family into a period of exile in Arabia. Yet the Walasma dynasty did not disappear. With assistance from the Rasulid ruler of Yemen, Se'adedin's sons later returned with Arab auxiliaries and restored Walasma authority in Adal.

Key Points

  • Founder of the Walasma kingdom of Adal
  • Ruled Adal after Haqedin II's death
  • Campaigns targeted Dawaro and Bali
  • Captured and executed at Zeila in 1403

Trust

high

This level indicates the accuracy of the dates, locations, and boundaries available in the current corpus.

Source

The Cambridge History of Africa, Volume 3: From c.1050 to c.1600

A starting point for further exploration—not an exhaustive bibliography.

ResourcesMap
CharacterTrust high

14th century – 15th century

Se'adedin

Adal, Harar plateau, Zeila

Listen
Compare
View in the constellation

Se'adedin was a Walasma prince and, with his brother Haqedin II, a founder of the Walasma kingdom of Adal. After Haqedin's death, he ruled Adal independently and led repeated attacks against the Christian frontier provinces of Dawaro and Bali. His campaigns brought him renown among Muslim writers, but Emperor Dawit defeated him, captured him at Zeila, and had him executed in 1403.

Territory · Character

Continue exploring

Ask Uriti

  • Who was Se'adedin and what was their influence?
  • What role does Se'adedin play in the Adal region?
  • What is the link between Se'adedin and Zeila?
  • About Se'adedin: can you clarify “Founder of the Walasma kingdom of Adal”?

The Story

Founder of Walasma Adal

Se'adedin belonged to the Walasma family of Ifat and helped establish a new political centre around the Harar plateau with his brother Haqedin II. Together they gave new force to an anti-Christian Muslim movement in the eastern Ethiopian region. Their dynasty soon overshadowed earlier holders of the title “king of Adal” and became the principal authority between Harar and the Gulf of Aden.

After Haqedin II died, Se'adedin assumed full powers in Adal and renewed the struggle against the Christian empire. He concentrated his attacks on Dawaro and Bali, frontier provinces that had been incorporated into Christian Ethiopia. His forces carried away cattle and slaves as booty, and their successes repeatedly disturbed the security of the eastern frontier during the closing decades of the fourteenth century.

Defeat and death at Zeila

Se'adedin's fortunes changed during his final confrontation with Emperor Dawit, who ruled the Christian empire from 1380 to 1412. Dawit launched energetic campaigns into the Harar plateau and repeatedly defeated the Walasma prince. In 1403, he pursued Se'adedin to Zeila, where Se'adedin was captured and executed.

The death of Se'adedin weakened Muslim power temporarily and forced his family into a period of exile in Arabia. Yet the Walasma dynasty did not disappear. With assistance from the Rasulid ruler of Yemen, Se'adedin's sons later returned with Arab auxiliaries and restored Walasma authority in Adal.

Key Points

  • Founder of the Walasma kingdom of Adal
  • Ruled Adal after Haqedin II's death
  • Campaigns targeted Dawaro and Bali
  • Captured and executed at Zeila in 1403

Trust

high

This level indicates the accuracy of the dates, locations, and boundaries available in the current corpus.

Source

The Cambridge History of Africa, Volume 3: From c.1050 to c.1600

A starting point for further exploration—not an exhaustive bibliography.

Continue the journey

Related Paths

Other paths related to this story.

  • Kingdom of AdalKingdom·14th century — 16th century