The
Egyptian army of Mohammed Ali (1769-1849) attacks south through
the Nile valley and conquers the Nubian people in Sudan between
1820 and 1822. The city of Khartoum is founded in 1823.
The kingdom or empire of Abyssinia (Ethiopia) had a diverse
population by 1830. The major peoples who made up the state
were the Amhara and the Tigray, both Semitic speakers, and Kushitic-speaking
peoples such as the Oromo (descended from the people who formed
the ancient empire of Kush, see 4000 Years Ago... and 3000 Years
Ago... in the Time Machine), and those groups speaking Agew
languages, many of whom were Christian by the early 1800s. The
state's largest ethnic group was the Oromo, but the Oromo were
neither politically nor culturally unified. Some were Christian,
spoke Amharic, and had intermarried with the Amhara. Other Christian
Oromo retained their language, although their modes of life
and social structure had changed extensively from those of their
pastoral kin (cattle and goat herders). At the eastern edge
of the highlands, many had converted to Islam, especially in
the area of the former sultanates of Ifat and Adal.
Split into warring factions since the late 1700s, the Abyssinian
empire faced new threats from Egypt under Mohammed Ali, plus
British and French efforts to occupy the Horn of Africa, a strategic
region dominating the Red Sea trade routes. The competition
for trade, differences over how to respond to Egypt's activities,
and the readier availability of modern weapons were important
factors in the conflicts of the period. By 1855, Kasa Haylu
had become strong enough to reunite the empire. From Gondar
province, Kasa had started out as a minor noble and mercenary
soldier. His military successes eventually led him to become
an army commander under the leader of Gondar, Ras Ali. Kasa
revolted against Ali, and took over the province. He attacked
Egypt in 1848, but suffered a bad defeat. The Egyptians had
more and better fire arms. Nevertheless, in 1854, he took the
title of negus (king), and in February 1855, the head of the
Christian church in Abyssinia officially crowned him as Tewodros
(Theodore) II.
Due to European pressure and the expansion of the Zulu empire,
Ngoni clans are forced to move north. These clans in turn destroy
the Rozwi-Karanga kingdom of Zimbabwe around 1830. The stone
city of Great Zimbabwe is now completely abandoned.
25
years ago / 50 years ago
/ 80 years ago / 125
years ago / 150 years ago
250 years ago / 400
years ago / 700 years ago
/ 1,200 years ago
1,500 years ago / 2,000
years ago / 3,000 years ago
/ 4,000 years ago / 5,000
years ago / 10,000 years
ago
