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Unit notes and practice questions

Grade 9 History unit 8: Political, social and economic processes in ethi

Everything here is for unit 8 of the Grade 9 History textbook: what the chapter covers, the short notes, practice questions with their answers, and the lesson video where one exists.

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3
Cards
10
Practice questions on unit 8
156–188
The textbook pages for unit 8

What unit 8 covers

  1. 1.Peoples and states of the Eastern, Central, Southern and Western Regions
  2. 2.Southern states
  3. 3.Western states
  4. 4.Eastern States: Harar, Afar, Somali
  5. 5.Gondarine Period
  6. 6.The Zemene Mesafint (The Era of Warlords)
  7. 7.The Yejju Dynasty
  8. 8.The Kingdom of Shoa

Short notes for unit 8

The cards filed under this chapter on the Grade 9 History page. Open one at a time.

Period or YearHistorical EventKey Figure or Center
1636Establishment of Gondar as permanent capitalEmperor Fasiladas
1632 to 1706Zenith of Gondarine architecture, trade, and learningFasiladas, Yohannes I, Iyasu I
1769Assassination of King Iyoas: Start of Zemene MesafintRas Michael Sehul of Tigray
1786 to 1853Dominance of Yejju (Warra Sheh) dynastyAli I to Ali II (Center: Debre Tabor)
1831Battle of May-Aslamay in western TigraiRas Marye and Dejjazmach Sabagadis killed
1855Coronation of Tewodros II: End of Zemene MesafintKasa Hailu of Qwara

When you use it

Use this timeline to track major political shifts from the founding of Gondar to the end of the Zemene Mesafint.

Watch out

The Battle of Sarba-Kussa occurred in 1771 against Ras Michael Sehul, whereas the Yejju dynasty was founded in 1786 by Ali I.

Drafted from Grade 9 History, pages 156-188, then checked twice before it went up

When you use it

Use this card when answering questions on power distribution, conflicts, and governance from 1769 to 1855.

Watch out

Do not assume the Gondarine monarchs exercised real authority. The emperors were puppet figures while actual political and military power resided with regional warlords and the Ras Bitweded.

Drafted from Grade 9 History, pages 156-188, then checked twice before it went up

State or GroupRuler TitleKey Council or Institution
KafaTatoMikkerecho (12 councillors)
YemTato or AmnoAstessors (12 councillors led by Waso)
Wolaita and GamoKawoWolaita Malla and Tigre-Mala; Gamo Duletha assembly
Dawuro and KontaKati (Khati)Kawuka dynasty; Kati Halala defensive stone kella
Hadiya, Sidama, KambataWoma / Adila / GaradaSera customary legal system; Woma-songo / Ogate
Gibe States (Jimma, Limmu)MotiAbba Dula war-leader transition from Gadaa

When you use it

Use this card to identify and compare political titles, dynasties, and advisory institutions of southern and western Ethiopian states.

Watch out

Do not confuse Tato (used in Kafa and Yem) with Kawo (used in Wolaita and Gamo) or Kati (used in Dawuro and Konta).

Drafted from Grade 9 History, pages 156-188, then checked twice before it went up

Practice questions on unit 8

10 multiple-choice questions written against this chapter, each with its answer and the reason. Try one before you open the answer.

Question 1

Which ruler founded the permanent capital city of Gondar around 1636?

  1. A.Fasiladas
  2. B.Iyasu I
  3. C.Yohanes I
  4. D.Bakafa
Show the answer and why

Answer: A Fasiladas

Why

Emperor Fasiladas founded Gondar around 1636, ending the tradition of ruling from mobile royal camps.

Question 2

Who constructed the protective wall around Harar, known as the Jegol wall?

  1. A.Emir Ali Ibn Dawd
  2. B.Emir Nur Mujahid
  3. C.Imam Ahmed
  4. D.Emir Abdullahi
Show the answer and why

Answer: B Emir Nur Mujahid

Why

Emir Nur Mujahid built the Jegol wall around Harar to defend the city against Oromo expansion.

Question 3

What was the title of the hereditary king in the Kingdom of Kafa?

  1. A.Kawo
  2. B.Tato
  3. C.Woma
  4. D.Garad
Show the answer and why

Answer: B Tato

Why

The king of Kafa carried the title of Tato, and was assisted by a council of nobles called Mikkerecho.

Question 4

What was the indigenous general council of elders among the Somali people called?

  1. A.Shir
  2. B.Sera
  3. C.Yiea
  4. D.Ogate
Show the answer and why

Answer: A Shir

Why

The Somali council of elders was known as the Shir, which decided civil and criminal cases.

Question 5

In the traditional administrative system of Gamo, what was the assembly of the autonomous unit (dere) called?

  1. A.Astessor
  2. B.Duletha
  3. C.Songo
  4. D.Maga
Show the answer and why

Answer: B Duletha

Why

Each Gamo autonomous unit (dere) had an assembly called the duletha, made up of elected representatives called halaka.

Question 6

Which of the five Gibe Oromo states was the earliest to form, with its center at Saqqa?

  1. A.Jimma
  2. B.Gomma
  3. C.Limmu-Ennarya
  4. D.Gera
Show the answer and why

Answer: C Limmu-Ennarya

Why

Limmu-Ennarya was the earliest Gibe state. Its center was Saqqa, and it controlled key long-distance trade routes.

Question 7

What was the traditional customary system and council called among the Sebat Bet Gurage?

  1. A.Ye Gordana Sera
  2. B.Yajoka Sera
  3. C.Luwa
  4. D.Gadaa
Show the answer and why

Answer: B Yajoka Sera

Why

The traditional legal system was called Yajoka Sera among the Sebat Bet Gurage, and Ye Gordana Sera among the Kistane Gurage.

Question 8

Who founded the Yejju (Warra Sheh) dynasty in 1786?

  1. A.Ali Gwangul (Ali I)
  2. B.Ras Gugsa
  3. C.Ras Marye
  4. D.Ras Ali Alula (Ali II)
Show the answer and why

Answer: A Ali Gwangul (Ali I)

Why

Ali Gwangul, also known as Ali I or Ali Talaq, founded the Yejju dynasty in 1786 with its center at Debre Tabor.

Question 9

Which ruler of the Dawuro Kingdom is remembered for building massive stone fortifications (Kella) to defend his territory?

  1. A.Kati Erashu
  2. B.Kati Halala
  3. C.Kawo Amado
  4. D.Motolami
Show the answer and why

Answer: B Kati Halala

Why

Kati Halala of Dawuro built stone fortifications known as Kati Halala Kella to protect his kingdom against outside invaders.

Question 10

Which historical event in 1769 is traditionally regarded as the start of the Zemene Mesafint?

  1. A.The death of Emperor Bakafa
  2. B.The Battle of Sarba-Kussa
  3. C.Ras Michael Sehul assassinated King Iyoas
  4. D.The founding of Debre Tabor by Ali I
Show the answer and why

Answer: C Ras Michael Sehul assassinated King Iyoas

Why

The Zemene Mesafint began in 1769 when Ras Michael Sehul assassinated King Iyoas and undermined imperial authority.

The app holds 12 questions on this unit, marked as you go. These are the first 10.

The textbook pages for unit 8

Unit 8 runs from page 156 to page 188 of the Ministry of Education edition.

Ministry of Education edition, English, 217 pages

Download the PDF

All Grade 9 History short notes

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