2023-03-31 05:08:01
The Unyielding Resistance of Fixeebo, Biifebo, and Mansido: A Tale of Oppression, Rebellion, and Justice in Hadiya
(By E.K GC)
=============
The Hadiya people have a long and proud history. They are a Cushitic people living in southern Ethiopia, with a distinct language, culture, and way of life. Their land is rich in natural resources, and they have always been self-sufficient farmers and pastoralists. But their history is also one of oppression and resistance, of colonization and rebellion, of injustice and justice.
The story of Fixeebo, Biifebo, and Mansido is a story of this struggle. It is a story of how a group of Hadiya leaders came together to defend their people's rights and to fight against the forces of domination and exploitation.
The tale begins in the late 19th century when the neftegna rulers, who were northern Ethiopian elites, arrived in Hadiya. They were seeking to expand their territory and to establish control over the southern regions of Ethiopia. The Hadiya people had never been conquered before, and they were not willing to submit to the neftegna rule. But the invaders were powerful and well-armed, and they had the support of the Ethiopian imperial government.
The land where the present Wachemo city is situated was part of the Witto subclan of Leemo Hadiya. Samar Dama of Samardin was the owner of the hilltop where the present Wachemo city stands. The neftegna rulers negotiated with the Saamar dama to be relocated to Liisana and Alala. The Witto subclan was forced to relinquish a large area of land to the settlement of the neftegna rulers. This was the beginning of a long and bitter conflict between the Hadiya people and the neftegna rulers.
Fixeebo, Biifebo, and Mansido were the three leaders of the Wiito Hadiya who negotiated the deal on behalf of their people. They believed that they could coexist with the newcomers peacefully, but their hopes were soon dashed. The neftegna rulers began to impose their way of life on the Hadiya farmers, taking their harvest, horses, bulls, and bucks. They also engaged in raping young girls, which was a total disregard for Hadiya cultural norms, which forbade men from raping women outside of marriage.
The Hadiya people were not passive victims of this injustice. They fought back against the neftegna settlers, raiding their settlements at night and taking back everything that had been stolen from them. This led to a cycle of violence and revenge that lasted for years. The Hadiya people were determined to defend their land, their culture, and their way of life, and they were willing to risk everything to achieve this goal.
Fixeebo, Biifebo, and Mansido were at the forefront of this struggle. They were brave and fearless leaders who inspired their people to resist the neftegna rule. Biifebo, in particular, was vocal in his rebellion against the neftegna settlers. He accused them of being criminals and was jailed several times at Assela and Gulale prisons. At one point, 47 Hadiya strong men were thrown into jail at Gulale in a filthy horse barn, and most of them died of infection from poor sanitation. Some of the rebellious Hadiya strong men were ordered to catch young lion cubs and carry them all the way to Addis Ababa. The lions that are kept in Addis lions zoo were originally caught from Hadiya forests and taken by Hadiya prisoners.
Despite the challenges they faced, Fixeebo, Biifebo, and Mansido continued to fight for their people's rights. They knew that the fight would not be easy, but they were determined to see it through. They formed a united front against the neftegna rulers, and with time, their efforts paid off.
The neftegna rulers were forced to recognize the Hadiya people's rights and to respect their cultural norms. The raids stopped, and the Hadiya people were able to live in peace once again. The legacy of Fixeebo, Biifebo, and Mansido lives on to this day as heroes in the eyes of their people.
4.0K views02:08
G
