1808/09/10 - 22 March 1900)[note 2] and Horse name: Abba Mala was an influential 19th century Ethiopian military commander, provincial governor and royal counsellor serving under Negus Sahle Selassie, Haile Melekot and Emperor Menelik II.
Garmame is remembered for his leading role in rescuing Menelik II and other notables from captivity in July 1865, and restoring the Shewan heir back to the throne.
After retirement from military activities, Garmame governed large tracts of fertile land south of Ankober, and is also remembered for his role in providing relief to the people during the disastrous 1890's famine'.
[2][6] Since his military feat, until his death (except for the period Tewodros II conquered Shewa between 1855-1865), Garmame governed the region of the Awash Valley, from his seat at Debre Gojo, southwest of Ankober and Tegulet.
[5] In July 1865, crafty Garmame threw a feast and invited his friends, and the guards of the fortress gate to eat and drink at his house.
After midnight, when everyone was intoxicated and asleep, Garmame led Menelik II and twenty other Shewans through the unguarded gates, and escaped the fortress.
Bafena inspired rebellion through Haile Mikael Sahle Selassie took them by surprise, and the aged noble took control of Ankober on May 2, 1877, proclaiming himself as the Negus of Shewa.
[3] On 15 May however, the sly Bafena convinced Menelik to make her regent in his absence, and came into possession of his royal seal that authorized her above Garmame and Wolda Tsadeq, and took control of the strategic fortress of Tamo, and plotted her next coup attempt.