Garmame (original) (raw)

Garmame (b. ca. 1808/09/10 - 22 March 1900) and Horse name: Abba Mala was an influential 19th century Ethiopian military commander, provincial governor and royal counsellor serving under Negus Sahle Selassie, Haile Melekot and Emperor Menelik II. He held the title of Dejazmach. Garmame is remembered for his leading role in rescuing Menelik II and other notables from captivity in July 1865, and restoring the Shewan heir back to the throne. In May 1877 he prevented a coup concocted by Bafena, and solidified the position of his Negus. After retirement from military activities, Garmame governed large tracts of fertile land south of Ankober, and is also remembered for his role in providing relief to the people during the disastrous 1890's famine'.