A History of Afran Qallo Oromo Forces at the Battle of Chalanqo (January 1887): The Case of Murtii Guutoo Army Unit

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the history of the Murtii Guutoo Oromo forces, their recruitment, training, military techniques, and the determination and bravery feats demonstrated at the battle of Chalanqo in January 1887 and in some clashes later. The battle of Chalanqo was fought between the newly liberated Afran Qallo Oromo, from Egyptian rule in 1885, and the Shewan Amhara kingdom- the highly militarized and modern state supported by foreign powers. The data used to write a history of Murtii Guutoo army unit that fought bravely the modern Shewan kingdom at Chalanqo in January 1887 came from oral interviews carried out in many places in the eastern Hararghe between 2019 and 2022 and some fragmentary primary and secondary sources. Moreover, Afran Qallo hymns and songs referred to as helle and mirriysa were used to support the available written and Oral sources. To attain validity and reliability the collected data were cross-checked against each other. The Narrative data analysis method was used to analyze and interpret the data. After the analysis and interpretation of the data, the researcher arrived at a conclusion that the Murtii Guutoo forces were highly determined to withstand the well-equipped and better- trained Menelik army at the battle of Chalanqo at any cost for the sake of liberty and freedom of their people. Lastly, the significance of this study is to appreciate the Murtii Guutoo army unit and its military training, techniques, determination and motivation to sacrifice their lives for the liberty and sovereignty of their country.