Re-examination of the Wärräséh (Yäǧǧu) Dynasty: Genesis, transformation and consolidation from 16th −18th centuries AD in Ethiopia

The Wärräséh or Yäǧǧu Dynasty, a prominent ruling family of Yäǧǧu, came to existence in the sixteenth century in Ethiopia and continued to expand its influence throughout the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries AD. By the late eighteenth century, the Dynasty had co-ruled with the Solomonic Dynasty, assuming de facto control. However, the historical origins of the Wärräséh remain shrouded in ambiguity, with three different individuals being cited as potential "founders" of the Dynasty. This article seeks to explore how these three distinct figures, each hailing from different periods, have been attributed as founders of the Dynasty. Ultimately, the article argues that while these individuals were not the sole founders of the Dynasty, they each played crucial roles as initiators, transformers, and consolidators of the Wärräséh's legacy in Ethiopian history. Drawing upon primary sources, secondary literature, and oral traditions of the Yäǧǧu people, this study aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the Dynasty's origins and evolution.