Raheita Incident (1898): French marines from the gunboat Scorpion were confronted with Italian colonial forces who have just defeated the rebellious sultan of Rahaita
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Southern Red Sea region: the land of Danakils.
https://shabait.com/2013/05/03/southern ... -danakils/
May 3, 2013
The Southern Red Sea Region is one of the six regions of the country endowed with rich natural resources, spectacular landscapes and historical sites. The region, which is located within the Great Rift Valley of Eastern Africa, is 23, 384 square kilometers out of which 49% is a plain and sandy land and 44% mountainous and hilly.
Moreover, the region is endowed with around 30 islands of different sizes. Most of the islands possess spectacular landscapes that are very attractive to conduct a variety of tourism activities such as swimming, diving and camping. The region comprises four administrative sub-zones, with 72 villages and 31 administrative localities.
The population size in the region reaches about 66,720, of which 85% lead a nomadic life and 15% depend on small-scale trade and fishing. The Southern Red Sea Region enjoys different climate; including cold and temperate climates in the areas of 500-2000 meters above sea level and hot and warm climate around the sea shore areas. Seven percent of the region is also covered with volcanic soil and rocks, believed to be rich in different minerals that could have the potential in the mining industry of the country.
As some historical evidences reveals, there have been several volcanic eruptions in the region; the recent of which was at
Siroru. A good example, of the volatile nature of the region. The volcano that erupted in 1856, was felt beyond the region in some parts of southern Yemen and deep inside Ethiopia. The incident is still remembered, as “
the year of smoke.” That of 2010 was also deeply felt and had an impact on lives in Ethiopia, and the ash reached many parts of the Sudan and northern African countries. (I remember
Hillary Clinton fleeing from Addis, then.
)
The Southern Red Sea region borders with the Northern Red Sea region to the north, with the Southern region to the west, with Ethiopia to the south-east, with Djibouti to the south and the Red Sea to the east.
The inhabitants of the region, are mainly of the Afar ethnic groups.
Rahaita is one of the ancient places in the Southern Red Sea region, with significant history and tradition. The tradition is still intact. Rahaita had been ruled by Sultanates, since 800 years back. The current
Derder,
Abdel Kadir Dawud, is the sixteenth Sultan in the ranks of the Rahaita Sultanate. The sultanate is from the renowned Kingdom of
Adal established in Rahaita, the kingdoms of
Dankali and
Ankala, the
Sultanate of Bidu and other major clan chieftains and sheikdoms successively dominated the traditional administration on the Red Sea coasts- in the interiors and on the islands as well.
Since the 16th century, the Ottoman Turks had controlled the Red Sea Afar coastal areas with a minimal influence over the territories. The Ottoman rule transferred its nominal authority over the coasts and islands of the Red Sea to the Egyptian Khedive in 1866, but didn’t last long. It was after only three years, on 15 November 1869, that among the Afar chiefs Sultan
Ibrahim Ahmed and Sultan
Hassan Ahmed signed an agreement with
Giuseppe Sapeto, representative of
Societa Rubattino Company in which the future colony Eritrea was first conceived as the piece of land in Assab got possessed by the Italian company.
Soon afterwards, on 10 March 1882, the Rubattino Company transferred all its landholdings to the Italian government. During all these years of successive occupation the Sultanate of Rahaita was intact, respected and observed by the society. The Rahaita Sultanate, is one of the four Sultanates in Afar territory. The Afar territory was divided into four sultanates and numerous tribal confederacies, that independently ruled and administered themselves.
Among the four Afar Sultanates are that of
Girifo and
Rahaita, which are found in today's Eritrea & the others are in the neighboring countries. All these Sultanates or mini-kingdoms, had their way of administration and societal laws and norms. Among all the Sultanates, the Sultan of Rahaita was very powerful and the others expect and rely on his advice. The Sultanate of Rahaita, as ancient as it is, has a lot of evidences confirming its old and resounding history; some buried and others on the ground, revealing their old age and the power and influence the Sultanate of Rahaita had on the people. The Sultanate was so powerful, it did not give in to whoever power came as a colonizer.
The old village of Rahaita, believed to be the ancient residence of the kingdom, is buried underground eagerly waiting for historians and archeologists to uncover, conduct research on it and reveal the mystery it is holding to the wider world.
Still visible on the ground, are the ancient sesame oil mill processing plant. The oil is processed by grinding wet sesame by heavy rounded and specially prepared rocks, rotating the rock with the help of an elephant. The drops from the grind sesame produce edible oil, believed to be free of fat. The remains of the mill, are found scattered on the ground. A special container like for processing fodder food for animals, cement processing from corals and ancient water wells and the burial place of a Turkish man; evidence for the presence of Turks in the area, are some that are still visible ancient historical sites in the village. The very interesting part of the history of Rahaita and its kingdom, is that of the organization of the youth. In those ancient times, the youth were organized with different categories. They call it:
Fiema (Youth Organization). The youth are organized into the different units. Fiema is organized with different hierarchy and each one has its responsibility.
The
Fiema Abba is the overall leader of the organization, responsible for the Derder.
Eebo the leader of the youth army,
Fiema Taba front runners,
Reebusa cover givers to the Fiema Taba,
Gumageel logistic and
Gumagaris are the executioners of what ever decision made by the Fiema.
Every youth has to go through these different youth units and not abiding by the rules of the Fiema, is punishable by the rule of that organization and that of the Sultanate. So, it is an obligation of every youth. In present day, Rahaita the Fiema still exists with modified structure to fit with the modern day situation. Fiema today is more concerned about social obligations, such as serving the society in different capacities and participating in development programs. And every youth should be part of one of the units of the organization and refusal or disobedience, has its consequences.
At the residence of the Sultan there are two drums, big and small ones. The bigger one represents the Derder, while the smaller one represents the
Banoyta.
Every year new drums are prepared and both the Sultan and the Banoyta put their hand prints on the drums, as a sign of their allegiance to the society. The drum of the Sultan sounds every day at 3:30 PM, to announce the time for
Salat (Prayer). If it sounds at a different time, it is an emergency call and every one rushes to the residence of the Sultan to hear and learn what's going on and take the necessary assignment that the Sultan might give.
The ancient bed of the Sultans, is another item of interest for visitors. The respect for the Sultan the people have is very strong, that every order or assignment he gives is well observed and executed. Conflicts among the society, are settled within themselves. The final conflict resolution is sent to the Derder for signature, that would make the settlement final and binding.
A person who commits the highest crime, killing a person, and runs for safety to the residence of the Derder is assured for his safety from the revenge the immediate family members of the victim might want to take on him. He gets a fair trial and the problem is settled by a jury, assigned by the Derder. And every concerned individual or group has to respect the ruling of the jury, immediately after it is signed by the Derder.
Nearby the village of Rahaita, stands the strategic location of
Ras Dumeira. Ras Dumeira, is on the top of the strategic shipping line of
Bab-el-Mendab. The Italians noticing its strategic location, used the place for controlling ships passing through the strait. The remains of a big telescope like instrument for observing every passing ship is still standing atop the hill facing the vast sea.
The group, upon arrival to the village of Rahaita was warmly welcomed by Derder Abdul Kadir Dawud, Banoyta (Successor)
Abdu Abubeker and the villagers. The hospitality awarded to the group by the Derder and the people of Rahaita was the first impression for the group, on how loving and generous the people of Afar are. They provide every thing they have to visitors and this is one major asset of hospitality of the Eritrean people.
