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MOCHA. 493 
gemder, Menna, Belessen, Foggora, Dembea, Tcherkin, Kuara, 
Tchelga, Maitsha, Gojam, and Damot, the whole of which may 
be considered, at present, as under the command of a chief called 
Guxo, the great opponent of Ras Welled Selasse. This chief, in 
the first instance, held the command over Begemder and the east- 
ern provinces only, having succeeded, in fact, to the power held by 
Powussen during the time of Mr. Bruce's visit to the country; but 
he afterwards greatly increased his consequence by the conquest 
of Zoldi, a celebrated chief who succeeded to the power of Fasil 
in the provinces of Damot and Gojam. This latter was highly 
celebrated for his courage as a jagonah,'' but in his last battle 
was deserted by the troops of Gojam, who are become notorious 
for their treachery, and by this means fell into the hands of Guxo, 
who has since kept him closely confined at Gondar, though he 
dare not put him to death through fear of Has Welled Selasse, 
to whom Zoldi had been always strongly attached. The annexa- 
tion of the provinces of Gojam and Damot to those which he be- 
fore commanded, rendered Guxo's power absolute on the western 
side of the Tacazze, which he has continued to keep up by 
means of his connection with the southern Galla, to whom he is 
both by birth and manners intimately allied; and he has lately 
attached them more firmly to him by erecting a splendid house in 
their country on the southern borders of the lake of Dembea. The 
strength of his army depends chiefly on his cavalry, drawn from 
the province of Begemder;* and of these he is said to be able to 
* The following names of places were recognized in Begemder. Anjabet, Est^ near 
Lasta and governed by Shoote Aylo, Gtina, Maket near Angote, Mashalama, N.fas Musa, 
Smada, Tiama, Wudo, and Wainadga, which latter place is famous for its grapes. 
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