They were first described, during the reign of Emperor Ba'eda Maryam (r. 1468–1478), as inhabiting the region between Enderta and Lake Ashenge (in Tigray Province), neighboring the Afars of the vassal Dankali Sultanate on the east.
He sent the Emperor a horse, a mule laden with dates, a shield, and two spears to show his support, along with a message saying, "I have set up my camp, O my master, with the intention of stopping these people.
There he called upon one of his best fighting regiments, Jan Amora ("Royal Eagle") after which the sub-province and woreda were named, who were eager to participate in the campaign.
The twelve Dobe'a leaders learned of the new attack being prepared, and began to flee in various directions into the lowlands of Adal with their women, children, and cattle, with their property loaded on their camels and other beasts of burden.
[2] Approximately half a century later, a report from Álvares noted that the Dobe'a country was suffering from a drought, and had therefore lost a lot of their cattle and were unable to sow any grain.