WI - Portuguese Ethiopia?

What if we saw a weakened Ethiopia after the Abyssinian-Adal War become a Portuguese protectorate and/or colony? What effects might there be on Portugal and Ethiopia?
 
I can maybe see the Ethiopian emperors swearing fealty the same way the Malayali princes did: retaining their sovereignty in all matters except commercial, conceding mastery of the ocean to the king of Portugal, with the preexisting indigenous merchant fleets continuing to operate albeit under cartaz certification.
 
I can maybe see the Ethiopian emperors swearing fealty the same way the Malayali princes did: retaining their sovereignty in all matters except commercial, conceding mastery of the ocean to the king of Portugal, with the preexisting indigenous merchant fleets continuing to operate albeit under cartaz certification.
What effects might Portuguese colonization yield on Ethiopian culture?
 
Portuguese colonial rule was very... nasty. I expect salazar, should we not butterfly him, will send Portuguese over. It is safe to say, Ethiopian culture would be... under attack. That is assuming it occurred like otl.
 
What effects might Portuguese colonization yield on Ethiopian culture?

It's hard to tell, but it really depends on how long the protectorate lasts. Numerous non-European rulers were vassals of the Portuguese crown but there remains very little trace of Portuguese cultural influence in their domains in the present day, despite decades and sometimes centuries of vassalage.

Ethiopia would be different from these other states, however, on account of their Christian religion and their proximity to the fearsome Ottoman Empire. I can see the Portuguese viewing a presence in Ethiopia (if one is established) as fundamental to controlling the Bab-el-Mandeb, there by strangling Ottoman commerce in the Red Sea and preventing further Turkish naval incursions into the Indian Ocean, which was a huge concern for the Estado da India. A Portuguese protectorate over Ethiopia would probably be more beneficial for the Ethiopians than for the Portuguese. The amount of rare trade goods and viable harbors offered by the Ethiopian Empire are few, but a few hundred Portuguese troops - along with the expected complement of advisors, engineers, Jesuits, etc - would be indispensible to the Ethiopians, especially if they arrive before Gragn shows up with his Adalites. I can see the Portuguese developing Massawa as their port of call and primary link to their Ethiopian protectorate.

The biggest problem for this arrangement would be the influence of Portuguese churchmen in Ethiopia. They are invariably going to insist a little bit on Catholicism, leading to friction with the established Tewahedo Church. IIRC one Ethiopian emperor was actually converted to Catholicism by his Jesuit advisor and ended up getting deposed because of it.
 
Culturally I imagine a lot of Portuguese loan words will slip into the Habesha languages, primarily ones having to do with maritime terminology and for anything in the wider world unknown to the inhabitants of Ethiopia prior to the entrance of the Portuguese.

In terms of cuisine and popular culture, the Portuguese will probably introduce the potato and sweet potato at some point (which will be huge for Ethiopian subsistence agriculture, to say the least), along with some recipes such as peixinhos da horta. The celebration of Carnaval may also gain popularity in the local calendar.

Religiously speaking, I can't see Catholicism displacing the Tewahedo Church, except under extreme duress. Converting the emperor is one thing, but converting the powerful Ethiopian nobility is another thing entirely. It might lead to some serious court intrigue and maybe a few full blown rebellions. There may be an Ethiopian counterpart to the Synod of Diamper, leading to a significant portion of the Tewahedo Church schisming from the old hierarchy and entering into communion with Rome.
 

Lusitania

Donor
A successful protectorate would allow Ethiopia to displace Arab/Muslim groups along coast even maybe expand into southern Sudan and Somalia.

Portuguese could retain the islands in the Red Sea with few city enclaves. Constant threat by Egypt and Ottoman Empire would be catalyst for arrangement to continue to the 19-20 century.

If it lasted to 20th century Portuguese presence be no different than in India.

The biggest threat might be scramble for Africa.
 
A successful protectorate would allow Ethiopia to displace Arab/Muslim groups along coast even maybe expand into southern Sudan and Somalia.

Portuguese could retain the islands in the Red Sea with few city enclaves. Constant threat by Egypt and Ottoman Empire would be catalyst for arrangement to continue to the 19-20 century.

The biggest threat might be scramble for Africa.
Why would Ethiopia want to expand into southern Sudan and Somalia?

Perhaps the Portuguese begin to expand into Ethiopia proper by the time the early 19th Century comes around.

How come?
Not happening. Ethiopia is too mountainous and Portuguese resources are not enough to subdue Ethiopia in the 16th to 19th century.
Could a process where Portugal establishes a permanent enclave in the Eritrean islands/coast work so that we see Ethiopia gradually become a Portuguese protectorate over time?
It has to be a joint desire, an alliance that brings the two countries together.
How could we get that? Having Ethiopia be completely occupied by Adal and then having Portugal liberate her?
 
Why would Ethiopia want to expand into southern Sudan and Somalia?

Perhaps the Portuguese begin to expand into Ethiopia proper by the time the early 19th Century comes around.

How come?

Could a process where Portugal establishes a permanent enclave in the Eritrean islands/coast work so that we see Ethiopia gradually become a Portuguese protectorate over time?

How could we get that? Having Ethiopia be completely occupied by Adal and then having Portugal liberate her?

As I said: zero chance for that to happen before the 1850s.

Portugal has nothing but Slaves to get from Ethiopia which is a long time travel to Brazil and much better to get from Angola.

And the help for Ethiopia was largely to keep the Ottomans busy while doing their "Christian Duty". Portugal won't stay in the Horn for long. Unless massive Gold reserves are found but then Ethiopia does not even need Portugal.
 

Lusitania

Donor
Why would Ethiopia want to expand into southern Sudan and Somalia?

Perhaps the Portuguese begin to expand into Ethiopia proper by the time the early 19th Century comes around.

How come?

Could a process where Portugal establishes a permanent enclave in the Eritrean islands/coast work so that we see Ethiopia gradually become a Portuguese protectorate over time?

How could we get that? Having Ethiopia be completely occupied by Adal and then having Portugal liberate her?

The only way Portuguese India and Ethiopia are going to ally is for there to be a joint desire and an alliance proves beneficial to both. Portuguese would only be able to protect them from sea due to limited manpower but could arm and train Ethiopian troops who could even help Portuguese India conquer Aden.

Now later on if Ethiopia strengthened by its Alliance with the Portuguese wanted to conquer and expand it could very well gain controlos southern Sudan and Arab around it.

Wether this Alliance is able to last us anyone’s guess but it could provide each country with many strategic benefits.
 
As I said: zero chance for that to happen before the 1850s.

Portugal has nothing but Slaves to get from Ethiopia which is a long time travel to Brazil and much better to get from Angola.

And the help for Ethiopia was largely to keep the Ottomans busy while doing their "Christian Duty". Portugal won't stay in the Horn for long. Unless massive Gold reserves are found but then Ethiopia does not even need Portugal.

Portugal doesn't need to subdue Ethiopia, that's obviously out of the question. Historically speaking, what is considered a protectorate in these circumstances could be acquired with relatively little adjustment to OTL.

I think you overestimate the importance of purely commercial prospects to the Portuguese in the 16th century Indian Ocean. IOTL Cristóvão da Gama led hundreds of Portuguese soldiers into Ethiopia to combat the Sultanate of Adal with virtually nothing to gain and for no other reason than to protect the Christian Ethiopian state, which was (wisely) seen as a regional ally. Had the Portuguese been able to get the horses captured at the battle of Jarte to da Gama's encampment before the battle of Wofla (or if firearms and reinforcements had not been granted to Adal by their Yemeni allies just in time), da Gama and the majority of his musketeers may very well not have been captured and killed, and Sultan Gragn may have been defeated even earlier. This could easily have lead to a permanent Portuguese presence in Ethiopia, even if its a small one. A few hundred Portuguese could very well be all that is needed to more closely align the interests of the Ethiopian court with those of Lisbon.
 
Portugal doesn't need to subdue Ethiopia, that's obviously out of the question. Historically speaking, what is considered a protectorate in these circumstances could be acquired with relatively little adjustment to OTL.

I think you overestimate the importance of purely commercial prospects to the Portuguese in the 16th century Indian Ocean. IOTL Cristóvão da Gama led hundreds of Portuguese soldiers into Ethiopia to combat the Sultanate of Adal with virtually nothing to gain and for no other reason than to protect the Christian Ethiopian state, which was (wisely) seen as a regional ally. Had the Portuguese been able to get the horses captured at the battle of Jarte to da Gama's encampment before the battle of Wofla (or if firearms and reinforcements had not been granted to Adal by their Yemeni allies just in time), da Gama and the majority of his musketeers may very well not have been captured and killed, and Sultan Gragn may have been defeated even earlier. This could easily have lead to a permanent Portuguese presence in Ethiopia, even if its a small one. A few hundred Portuguese could very well be all that is needed to more closely align the interests of the Ethiopian court with those of Lisbon.

That is the problem. A few hundred musketeers would do well against Somali's who are not using the same weapons. But when the Adal Sultanate gets help from the Ottomans with a few hundred/thousand soldiers and weapons it does not go well.

At best you get an alliance between Portugal and Ethiopia until Portugal loses posts in the Indian Ocean.

And I fail to see how it is wise to see Ethiopia as a regional ally as they were only allied until the Adal Sultan was defeated. The alliance lasted until the mid 16th century and was non-existent until 1935 when Italy conquered Ethiopia. So enlighten me, because I really do not understand.

By the way I am not sarcastic if you assume with what I wrote... :/
 
That is the problem. A few hundred musketeers would do well against Somali's who are not using the same weapons. But when the Adal Sultanate gets help from the Ottomans with a few hundred/thousand soldiers and weapons it does not go well.

At best you get an alliance between Portugal and Ethiopia until Portugal loses posts in the Indian Ocean.

And I fail to see how it is wise to see Ethiopia as a regional ally as they were only allied until the Adal Sultan was defeated. The alliance lasted until the mid 16th century and was non-existent until 1935 when Italy conquered Ethiopia. So enlighten me, because I really do not understand.

By the way I am not sarcastic if you assume with what I wrote... :/
It was pretty much luck that a bullet hit Ahmed ibn al ibrahim.
 

Lusitania

Donor
Well not being lucky in history is also ASB-ish.

Sometimes I wish a bullet did not hit my namesake in the battle of Slankamen so Hungary would be reconquered. But I guess you can't have anything.

Well I had one reader who said that Portuguese history is ASB. I guess he was frustrated at what Portuguese had done throughout history.

Therefore a slight change in history is all that is needed to make something seem great or awful.
 
BUMP. As a result of any potential de-facto Portuguese protectorate over Ethiopia, how better off would she be?

Depends on the time. In the second half of the 19th century it would be better off. Anytime before might draw the attention of hostile neighbours. On the Seas Portugal can be effective but on land it is pointless. Of course I mean in the mountainous inland. The coast is easier to handle.
 
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