12 Facts About Gelawdewos

At the time of the Portuguese arrival in Ethiopia, Gelawdewos was in northern Shewa leading a small guerrilla movement against the Muslim occupation.

Gelawdewos then turned his attention to the numerous Ethiopians who had crossed over to the Imam's side, either to further themselves or out of self-preservation.

Gelawdewos said the city was not as well-designed or as grand as those in Europe, which had large stone buildings and magnificent palaces.

The young Emperor, Gelawdewos, made his way to confront him and Abbas rushed with his army to meet the Emperor.

Gelawdewos was victorious in this engagement and Abbas with all his captains were killed.

Gelawdewos then conquered all of the Muslim provinces except for Adal.

In early 1548, Gelawdewos led his army in campaign to the western fringes of the Empire, perhaps in Bizamo, beyond the province of Damot, which was then inhabited by pagans.

Whilst Gelawdewos was campaigning in the west, the Adalites would launch an invasion of Dawaro.

Gelawdewos spent five months in this operation during which he freed numerous Christian slaves that had been taken during the Ethiopian-Adal War and in his turn enslaved many Muslim captives.

Gelawdewos captured 'Abbas, one of the principal figures of Adal, although Emir Nur was able to escape .

The explorer Richard Francis Burton tells a slightly different account, adding that Gelawdewos had been supervising the restoration of Debre Werq when he received a message from Emir Nur challenging him to combat.

Gelawdewos had no sons, but had two daughters named Sabana Giyorgis and Mashihawit.