Centre- Periphery Relations in Ethiopian Empire: The Case of Benishangul Gumuz, 1898 - 1941

Abstract

Extended from South west to North western edge of Ethiopia along the Sudanese border, Benishangul Gumuz region is composed of former Bella Shangul, Assosa/ Aqoldi/  Khomosha and the Sheikdom of Gubba in the Gumuz inhabited  Western fringe of  Gojjam to the north of Blue Nile(Bahiru,2002:19) Beni Shangul Gumuz is a lowland area of around 50,000 square kilometers, divided into two by the Blue Nile. Its landscape is undulating and covered by a thick savannah and bamboo woodland. The largest number of its early inhabitants (  i.e. Bertha, Mao, Komosha and Gumuz or Beja) belonged to the Nilo-Saharan family.*[1] The Bertha to the south of the Blue Nile and the Gumuz to the north are dominant (Gondalez, 2010:6) In terms of religion, Islam has a wider adherent than Orthodox Christianity, which has been the dominant religion at the political centre. Economically, there is a marked difference between the highlanders who has been dominating the politics of Ethiopia and the inhabitants Benishangul Gumuz areas. The former predominantly practice sedentary peasant agriculture, while the latter derive their livelihood from hunting, shifting agriculture, and extraction of alluvial gold. On the basis of religious, economic and historical grounds, the ruling powers from Christian Amhara-Tigrayan society   reinforced the peripheral position in the region and its diverse ethnic groups were culturally marginalized(Andreas Zimmermann, 2012:69) At least up until 1990s the Benishangul _Gumuz  has been  subjected to  peripheral position by the central government of Ethiopia .*[1]

This article attempts to investigate and analyze the relationship between Beni Shangul Gumuz and the central government   in the period between 1898 and 1941 in the context of center-periphery theories. The article consisted of two parts. Starting with a brief historical survey of the frontier areas along western Ethiopia, the first part deals with how war of resistance conducted by the Benishangul and Gumuz peoples to maintain their autonomy.  The tactics and strategies used by the agents of the Ethiopian Emperor to integrate Benishangul and Gumuz region is also included.  The second part of the article, investigates the socio-economic and political relationship established between the years 1902 and 1941.The two dates are taken as land marks for obvious reason that in 1902 Benishangul Gumuz was officially integrated to Ethiopia by an international border agreement with Great Britain. Following the restoration of the emperor to power in 1941, Benishangul Gumuz began to be administered by governors appointed by the central government.