A SURVEY OF YEM, SOUTHWESTERN ETHIOPIA

Yem was one of the earliest kingdoms that are found in southwestern part of Ethiopian until its incorporation into the Ethiopian Empire in 1894. They were existed in the area between the Gibe River and the Omo River. They were pay tribute in horse to king Yesaqa (1412-1427).The economy of the kingdom is agriculture. The called themselve Yem (Yamma); their land was called Yangar and language called Yamsa. With the exception of Gama, Gémélo, Mowa, Fuga, Kamosho, Saoala and Kanishero, the rest clans were said to be indigenous. From this, Gama, Gemelo, and Mowa are formed their dynasties in the history of the kingdom. In Yem kingdom, unlike the Fuga, (tanners, potters and hunters) the Yirfo (blacksmith), woodworkers had least respect in the community. Due to this, the other people do not interested made marriage alliance and other social interaction with the Fuga. In Yem, the commiration and funeral ceremony is different based on the age, social, political role, hunting ability and war ability. Amno was the highest authority on both social and political life of the people. Mostly he carried several symbols of offices such as crown, gold armlets necklace and double headed spreads. Before the introduction of universal religions i῾e Christianity and Islam, the people of Yem followed additional religion. The kingdom had good relationship with neighboring states with the exception of Jimma. On other hand, the first Italian force entered Yem through kumbi. During the five Years Italian occupation period, there were the sons of king (Amno) Gäbrä-Mädihin Bogibo. In addition to this, before the introduction of the new land measurement, in Yem, land was under the control of the Amno (king).It was that in 1942E.C (1949/50) that the first land measurement was conducted. The second land measurement in the area was conducted in 1948E.C. (1955/5).The third/last one was land measurement undertaken in 1960 E.C. (1967/68).