Reworking the Horn of Africa in 867

[JKiller96]

Currently, the situation in Ethiopia is quite off in 867; the Solomonids rule during a pre-Zagwe era, the religious situation is debateable, and the Adal and Ethiopian empires are quite large during a fragmented era.

A large insipiration for this map rework is taken from pp. 98-107 of the Cambridge History of Africa Vol. 3, 1050-1600, which includes a map (p. 99) in the chapter, "9th and 10th Centuries". The goal is to show the inward expansion of Islam into Ethiopia, as well as the conversion of the Somalis and Afar on the coasts, as well as setting up some semi-historical outcomes. I'll show the map concept and then the reasons for some of the changes.

NOTE: After making this map and reading beyond the text I provided (Cambridge's history of Africa was wrote in the late 1970's) I understand "Falasha" may be considered offensive to some groups of that culture (some still use "Falash"). Simien or Beta Israel is the preferred term for the state. Additionally, some details are considered legendary and debateable, such as the authenticity of a female ruler of Simien.

The Somali coast is more Islamicized, while the inland of the Somali areas is less so, but also more decentralized. The Sultanate of Mogadishu is an emerging local power.

The Ethiopian coast, once ruled by the powerful kingdom of Aksum, has given way to Islamic tribes whose power base is built on trade with states across the Red Sea. The Beja have invaded southward and taken control of Massawa as the Bajag kingdom. The Afar on the coast have converted to Islam and some of the Afar sultanates are shown (Tajura, Awsa, Danakil). The Dahlak archipelago has become an entrepot for Arab traders.

Inland, the Showa Sultanate is in its infancy, later being officially established about 20 years later and expanding across much of southern Ethiopia. Some of the minor kingdoms such as the Hargla kingdom have converted to Islam.

Damot will later come to rival Showa and help bring about its end as a regional power.

In the highlands, the kingdom of Aksum is decaying. The Beta Israel are beginning to raid their Aksumite neighbours; the future queen, Gudit, would destroy the remainder of the Aksumite Empire. The Zagwe, having a large powerbase in Lasta, are ready to take advantage of this situation and claim the throne of Aksum or create their own Zagwe kingdom.

Spoiler: Changes

Red Sea Coast:
Massawa has been replaced by the Beja county of Bajag, a Beja kingdom that controlled the area after the control of the area by Arabs and Ethiopians receded.

Dahlak is now the independent county of Dahlak, representing the Sultanate of Dahlak.

Bur is renamed Danakil; Hayq is renamed Tajura, with the capital of the duchy relocated to Tadjoura.

Ethiopian Highlands:
Abyssinia in 867 is now the kingdom-ranked kingdom of Aksum, with a vassal duchy of Lasta/Zagwe owning much of the southern portion. The ruler is Wadam, also seemingly currently the ruler of Ethiopia currently in 867; however, Dil Na'od should be his infant heir, not his vassal. Angot is now apart of Ethiopia/Aksum.

The county of Dambiya has been changed to represent the Falasha/Beta Israel, who are independent during this time. Falasha would be an independent kingdom or duchy ruled by a random
ruler whose heir is Gudit, a woman who would probably have the traits ambitious and with high military talents.

Gojjam has been split into 3 counties, Gafat, Gojjam, and Agaw.

Damot has been expanded west while also splitting off Innarya as an independent county. Kaffa is now an independent county.

Wolqayt split off from Baqlis to represent the region later incorporated into Abyssinia under later emporers.

Ethiopian Lowlands:
Showa is now a larger Islamic state, and a very new one, not yet reaching its height. Dawaro is a vassal duchy of Showa. The Makhuzmi (al-Makhuzmi) dynasty, led by an Amir who was the father of Haboba, the current heir.

Duchy of Awsa is created from Hayq and Dawaro; could also be named Ifat to represent the future Sultanate of Ifat.

Bali, Hargla, Gidaya, and Ganale split from Adal to make independent counties.

Somalia:
Mogadishu changed to have two county vassals in Mareeg and Hobyo while losing its two inland counties to Baydhabo, an independent county.

Berbera split from Fafan to control Fafan's coast.

I split up the larger countries inland to show the lack of unity between these tribes. Some of these could be combined if this is too much.

Spoiler: Religion

Religion

White - Coptic
Green - Ashari
Yellow - Kushite
Purple - Waaq
Blue - Haymonot

Clarifications on states with multiple religions:
1. Showa's liege should be Ashari while their vassal Dawaro could be Ashari or Coptic.
2. Barbacadle's liege should be Ashari.
3. Danakil's liege should be Ashari.
4. Tajura's liege should be Ashari.
5. Damot's holders should be Waaq or Coptic

My reasoning for the Afar states being Ashari while independent of Aksum is that Aksum's downfall could largely be attributed to the spread of Islam, it could be attained that such entities seperating from the kingdom could be influenced by Islam in this regard.

Apologies for my poor paint skills. Thank you.

 

[Omogoy]

As for moving the center to the north and renaming Aksum, I agree.
In this situation, Aksum will be invincible, because the empires in the game are amazingly resilient. Beta Israel will be destroyed and assimilated as early as 867.
Therefore, I propose to divide Aksum into semi-independent tribes. Here is a more recent map http://istorya.ru/forum/index.php?showtopic=8530. This map was reconstructed for 1050, that is later. I offered for reference only.
In the early days, I would not talk about the spread of Christianity far to the south. Even Lasta is considered by some authors to be originally pagan. Unfortunately, there are very few historical documents from this period.
I propose to divide Ethiopia into Semitic and Cushite tribes. Moreover, part of the Kushites will be pagans.
Preferably in 3 parts. The North will be represented by the Tigray people, the South - Amhara, the Middle - Lasta with the Agau culture of one of the Kushite peoples, Zagwe is just the name of a dynasty, not a locality. The Semites hated the Zagwe dynasty and shortened their reign.
As you can see on the map in the north there are Kushite peoples: Bilen and Sahohttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saho_people. To the north of Beta Israel there are the following proto-states: Kunama, Barya. Barya is also a Jewish country, but they are in the north. Kunama refers to an isolated language later included in the Nilo-Saharan family. In this case, only the Tigray people will defend Aksum.
Judging by the results of numerous civil wars, even now Ethiopia has not become a single nation, what can we say about distant times?

 

[Omogoy]

This map is from Сivilization IV mod

And this political map from Reddit https://historyofafricapodcast.blogspot.com/2021/07/the-fall-of-aksumite-empire-part-2-gudit.html

 

[JKiller96]

As for moving the center to the north and renaming Aksum, I agree.
In this situation, Aksum will be invincible, because the empires in the game are amazingly resilient. Beta Israel will be destroyed and assimilated as early as 867.
Therefore, I propose to divide Aksum into semi-independent tribes. Here is a more recent map http://istorya.ru/forum/index.php?showtopic=8530. This map was reconstructed for 1050, that is later. I offered for reference only.
In the early days, I would not talk about the spread of Christianity far to the south. Even Lasta is considered by some authors to be originally pagan. Unfortunately, there are very few historical documents from this period.
I propose to divide Ethiopia into Semitic and Cushite tribes. Moreover, part of the Kushites will be pagans.
Preferably in 3 parts. The North will be represented by the Tigray people, the South - Amhara, the Middle - Lasta with the Agau culture of one of the Kushite peoples, Zagwe is just the name of a dynasty, not a locality. The Semites hated the Zagwe dynasty and shortened their reign.
As you can see on the map in the north there are Kushite peoples: Bilen and Sahohttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saho_people. To the north of Beta Israel there are the following proto-states: Kunama, Barya. Barya is also a Jewish country, but they are in the north. Kunama refers to an isolated language later included in the Nilo-Saharan family. In this case, only the Tigray people will defend Aksum.
Judging by the results of numerous civil wars, even now Ethiopia has not become a single nation, what can we say about distant times?

View attachment 800444

The map I used as reference looked a lot like this one, however I put Waaq areas in the central Somali area and reduced the Christian areas.

For the Zagwe, it doesn't matter much what their title is, I just wanted it known what that vassal represents. There is a bit of an issue if Aksum is too strong, but making the Zagwe's holdings larger than the liege I thought would help that. Maybe they can start with a claim on the Aksumite throne? Unsure.

I'm a bit unsatisfied with the Afar areas in my suggestion as well, but I wanted to get something out there.

 

[Omogoy]

The map I used as reference looked a lot like this one, however I put Waaq areas in the central Somali area and reduced the Christian areas.

For the Zagwe, it doesn't matter much what their title is, I just wanted it known what that vassal represents. There is a bit of an issue if Aksum is too strong, but making the Zagwe's holdings larger than the liege I thought would help that. Maybe they can start with a claim on the Aksumite throne? Unsure.

I'm a bit unsatisfied with the Afar areas in my suggestion as well, but I wanted to get something out there.

It is written here that the reign of the Zagwe dynasty was a golden age for Beta Israel, that is, Zagwe is not Aksumhttps://www.wikiwand.com/en/History_of_the_Jews_in_Ethiopia. Aksum usually oppressed and suppressed other religions and peoples.
It is possible that they should be presented as the most powerful rebellion faction with several tribes and provinces, mainly the Agaw peoples, such as Lasta and Beta Israel, other peoples can join them: Kunama (Bazin), Bariya, Bilen, Saho. Or present them as already independent allies.

 

[Omogoy]

I do not like such videos, because often their data is erroneous. But it is interesting how they represent the year 900 AD.

This map is taken from Wikipedia. Reconstruction for the XIII century https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Map_of_Ethiopia_circa_1300.png.

 

[JKiller96]

I do not like such videos, because often their data is erroneous. But it is interesting how they represent the year 900 AD.

View attachment 800854
This map is taken from Wikipedia. Reconstruction for the XIII century https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Map_of_Ethiopia_circa_1300.png.

View attachment 800857

Interesting maps. I'm wary of making Damot so large as as far as I know, they mostly come into play after the rise of Showa, which is still after the start date. Wej could make for a vassal of Showa, and Damot could be removed from the west and extended more south.