Hadiya

Hadiya was a powerful Muslim principality south of the Ethiopian highlands, whose rulers bore the title of garad. Its people and leaders were drawn into both rivalry and alliance with the Christian Ethiopian monarchy. The history of Hadiya's ruling families reached into the imperial court as well as the wars of the southern frontier.

In the fifteenth century Garad Mahiko resisted Emperor Zara Yaqob and joined with Adal against him. Deposed in favor of his uncle Bamo, Mahiko fled to Adal but was pursued and killed. Zara Yaqob also drew Hadiya nobles into the court through marriage; Eleni of Hadiya was recorded as empress in 1444. In the following century, Hadiya forces joined Ahmad ibn Ibrahim al-Ghazi's invasion of Ethiopia, while accounts describe the tribute demanded from Hadiya families by the imperial court.

The later city of Hosaena lies here.