Johannes IV, Nəgusä Nägäst of Ethiopia, had…

Johannes IV, Nəgusä Nägäst of Ethiopia, had appointed Ras Tekle Haymanot Tessemma as Negus of Gojjam Province and as Negus of Kaffa Province on January 20, 1881, in Debre Tabo.

However, the latter province is only his if he is able to conquer it.

Unfortunately for Ras Tekle Haymanot Tessemma, Ras Menelik, Negus of Shewa, is also interested in Kaffa Province.

Johannes has provided Tekle Haymanot with eight thousand rifles to help with the conquest.

Tekle Haymanot of Gojjam, born Adal Tessemma, is the son of the late Tessemma Goshu, Negus of Gojjam.

Gojjam has long been a vassal kingdom within the Ethiopian Empire.

The title "King of Gojjam" is an honorific title.

The last time a King of Gojjam had been elevated to Emperor was during the "Era of the Princes" (Zemene Mesafint).

Like his father, Negus Tessemma Goshu, Adal Tessemma has become the Negus of Gojjam.

Dejazmach Tessemma Goshu had died during his son's minority.

As a result, a rival named Dasta Guala had assumed control in Gojjam and imprisoned Adal.

Adal had eventually escaped to the lowlands and raised an army.

After returning to Gojjam and defeating Dasta, Adal had submitted to Nəgusä Nägäst Tekle Giyorgis, who had confirmed him as the Shum of Gojjam and as Dejazmach.

The Nəgusä Nägäst had even allowed Adal to marry his paternal sister, Laqetch Gegre Mehdin.

Dejazmach Kassay Mercha had defeated Nəgusä Nägäst Tekle Giyorgis on July 11, 1871, and reinstated Dasta in Gojjam.

Kassay Mercha had become Nəgusä Nägäst Yohannes IV on January 21, 1872, and left Gojjam.

Adal then returned to Gojjam and killed Dasta.

Adal had consolidated all of Gojjam under his rule by 1873, and had submitted to Johannes IV in 1874.

Adal now became known as Ras Tekle Haymanot Tessemma.