BAKARÉ
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Bakaré (1801-circa 1871) was the first ruler of Léqa, a 19th-century Muslim kingdom in western Ethiopia, and founder of a dynasty.
Bakaré was the son of Godana. Léqa had previously been divided among several feuding families. Bakaré, whose family originated from the Mokofa district, emerged victorious and took the title of “Moti,” meaning king, and was ruler of the Galla of the Gibé region. Upon coming to power, he kept some of the traditional institutions of the past, the most notable being the “Koro,” or district officers, who were elected as they had been formerly, but who now also had to be approved by Bakare.
He did not keep a standing army, but made his conquests with the help of “Balabat,” or land-owners, who provided cavalry and shared new conquests.
Bakaré treated conquered peoples leniently. He was, however, constantly on his guard against rebellions, moving his places of residence closer to newly-subdued areas. For example, he first moved from Mokofa to Wacha, and then moved on to Kumbo. His most permanent settlement was Naq’ameté (Leqamti), which eventually became the centre of his kingdom. Bakare personally founded the market there.
He professed the traditional Galla (Oromo) religion. He was nevertheless a strict observer of the Sabbath, a reminiscence of the Christian past of western Ethiopia.
He had a high reputation as a just man. In his old age he ruled with the help of his numerous and remarkable sons – Moroda, his successor; Dibaba, employed on diplomatic missions; Ligidi, who ruled the province of Kumba; Amanté of Huru; Chibsa of Horé; and others.
Bakaré handed his kingdom over to Moroda in 1871, and retired to Wacha, where he died. Ultimately, the kingdom was incorporated into the present province of Walaga.
STANISLAW CHOJNACKI
