Makhzumi dynasty | |||||||||||||
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896–1286 | |||||||||||||
![]() The Sultanate of Shewa at its height under Sulṭān Malasmaʿī. | |||||||||||||
Capital | Walalah (northern Hararghe)[1] | ||||||||||||
Official languages | Arabic | ||||||||||||
Common languages | Harla Argobba | ||||||||||||
Religion | Sunni Islam | ||||||||||||
Government | Absolute monarchy | ||||||||||||
Sultan | |||||||||||||
• 896–928 (first) | Haboba | ||||||||||||
• 1279 (last) | ʿAbdallah | ||||||||||||
History | |||||||||||||
• Established | 896 | ||||||||||||
1278–1285 | |||||||||||||
• Sultanate of Shewa annexed by Ifat | 1285 | ||||||||||||
• Disestablished | 1286 | ||||||||||||
Currency | Dinar | ||||||||||||
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Today part of | Ethiopia |
The Makhzumi dynasty also known as Sultanate of Shewa or Shewa Sultanate, was a Muslim kingdom in present-day Ethiopia. Its capital Walale was situated in northern Hararghe in Harla country.[2][3][4] Its territory extended possibly to areas west of the Awash River.[5] The port of Zeila may have influenced the kingdom.[6] The rise of the Makhzumi state at the same time resulted in the decline of the Kingdom of Axum.[7] Several engravings dating back to the 13th century showing the presence of the kingdom are found in Chelenqo, Bale, Harla near Dire Dawa and Munesa near Lake Langano.[8]
It has recently been proposed that Shewa was not a unified Sultanate but rather a collection of smaller, autonomous political entities.[9]