Oromo Cavalry in the Survival of Modern Ethiopia

Abstract

        Oromo Cavalry in the Survival of Modern Ethiopia: Military Skill and the Art of War (c. 1875–1900)

Abstract
This article examines the critical role of the Oromo cavalry forces between 1875 and 1900 in the
creation and survival of modern Ethiopia. Emphasizing their strategic contribution to the
formation of the contemporary Ethiopian Empire, the study highlights the cavalry's function as
"frontline national defenders" during the empire’s consolidation and their key role in repelling
foreign threats. Employing an exploratory research methodology, the study evaluates the impact
of the Oromo cavalry on Ethiopia's military success and national security. The research draws on
a diverse range of sources, including both primary and secondary materials, such as diaries,
chronicles, firsthand accounts, and interviews with descendants of oral informants. Secondary
sources include academic theses, journal articles, and other historical documents. The study
concludes that the Oromo cavalry's expertise in psychological warfare and hit-and-run tactics was
essential to the defense of Ethiopia’s sovereignty, contributing significantly to the nation's
resistance against colonial powers. Although the traditional use of cavalry has diminished, the
principles of cavalry tactics remain relevant in modern military strategy.
Keywords: cavalry, horsemen, veterans, galloping, and hit-and-run