Dawit II: Ethiopia's Lion Against the Adal Sultanate

In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the dramatic reign of Emperor Lebna Dengel, better known as Dawit II, who ruled Ethiopia from 1508 to 1540. They delve into the rise of the Adal Sultanate under Imam Ahmad ibn Ibrahim al-Ghazi, famously called Ahmed Gurey, and his devastating jihad that pushed Ethiopia to the brink of collapse. The conversation covers the crucial Battle of Shimbra Kure in 1529, where Ethiopian matchlockmen failed against Adal's cavalry, the use of imported firearms, and the desperate embassy to Portugal that brought Cristóvão da Gama and 400 musketeers. Lucas and Luna also discuss the role of Empress Eleni, who as regent sought Portuguese aid, and the cultural and religious shockwaves of the conflict. They highlight Lebna Dengel's own writings, including his letter to King Manuel I of Portugal pleading for help, and the tragic death of the emperor in 1540, just before the tide turned. The episode concludes by reflecting on how this war reshaped Ethiopian identity and its relationship with the outside world. #DawitII #LebnaDengel #AdalSultanate #AhmedGurey #BattleOfShimbraKure #CristVODaGama #EmpressEleni #PortugueseInEthiopia #EthiopianHistory #AfricanHistory #SixteenthCentury #Jihad #Firearms #EthiopianOrthodox #AdalWar #HornOfAfrica #History #FexingoHistory #AksumiteEmpire #Lalibela Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo