Imamate of Aussa

The Imamate of Aussa, also spelled Imamate of Awsa, was a medieval Sunni Muslim imamate in present-day eastern Ethiopia and north-western Djibouti. Muhammad Gasa established the seat of power to Aussa from Harar in 1577, as the latter was too exposed to Oromo invasions. Internal strife arose from conflicts between the Harla and Arab factions. A Harar faction split from the Imamate in 1647 forming their own independent emirate. The 17th century saw the inclusion of upland Harla and Doba populations playing a pivotal role in the establishment of the Aussa Sultanate. The state was disestablished in 1734 and in 1769, the Mudaito dynasty successfully overthrew the Kabirto of Harla.

Origin
Harar which had held the position of the capital for 58 years between 1519 and 1576, was too exposed to the frequent Oromo attacks and as a result, lost its strategic importance. Consequently, the new Imamate decided to relocate its capital to Aussa, which was more defensible and provided a more secure location to govern from. This decision was made in light of the challenging circumstances that the Imamate was facing and the need for a capital that could withstand external threats. As a result, Aussa became the new seat of power and played a critical role in the history and development of the Imamate. After the transfer of the government seat to Aussa by Imam Muhammad Gasa., from the month of Jumad al-Akhirah of the year 1576 onwards, the region came under the rule of a representative of the Imam of Aussa. This marked a significant change in the political structure of the region and the beginning of a new era of governance.

Aussa in the late 16th century Arabic text of Harar "Taʾrīkh al-mulūk" was stated to be occupied by the Adalite holding the title Hegano and had already become a breeding ground for those opposing the rulers of the Harar-based Adal Sultanate. Several historians state the imamate was of Harari origin.

Internal conflict
This polity was marred with internal conflicts between Harla and Arabs. In 1647, the rulers of the Emirate of Harar broke away to form their own polity. The Dardöra (Darood) imams of Harla who had established themselves in Aussa since the 13th century and the new Harla migrants associated with Imam Gasa came into conflict.

The established Dardöra (Darood) were in permanent disunity, while the sedentary Awsimára were torn between allegiance and resistance. Around 1628–1636, Ahmad Yäwwi, chief of the Harla, restructured the land system by tracing the boundaries of the fields. This led to tensions between the imams and the sedentary locals, including the Harla, who became the landowners (known as baddá-h abbá). However, the stages that led to the expansion of the Debné and We'ima to the west and south of the oasis, as well as the Mödaytó to the north, remain not completely known. It is believed that this expansion was favored by the Harla, who were in search of external support in their struggle against the imams.

With the help of the Mudaito, the Harla burnt the residence of Imam Salmän in Handág, which is believed to be located in Wablé Fánta, at the confluence of the Nangaltá and Afal-Gedé. The imam died in 1750, and Salmän is reputed to be the last imam of Gara. His successor was the ancestor of the Dúrussó fraction, Mahammad "Düs" (around 1750–1760), who became the first Harla "Sultan" of Awsa and was referred to as "Rais" in Arab chronicles. According to Heloise Mercier, the inhabitants of Harar who had migrated to Aussa were unable to maintain their customs and dialect contrary to those who lingered in Harar. In the 17th century the induction of upland populations of Harla and Doba into Afar identity would lead to the emergence of the Aussa Sultanate.

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The Kabirto of Harla who originated from the Walasma dynasty were overthrown in 1769 by the Mudaito dynasty of Afar. The descendant of Kabirto Shaykh Kabir Hamza, preserved their history through manuscripts. Italian scholar Enrico Cerulli asserts that although Aussa became dominated by the Afar people, the ancient Semitic speaking Muslim kingdom survived in the form of the Emirate of Harar past the 18th century.