The Sultanate of Shewa, established around 896 A.D. by Khalid ibn al-Walid, was an early Muslim state spanning northeastern Shewa to northern Hararghe, with Walele as its capital. Despite ambiguous relations with the Zagwe kingdom, Shewa frequently clashed with the Kingdom of Damot, weakening its authority by the 13th century as Damot expanded its influence. Concurrently, the neighboring Sultanate of Ifat sought control, leading to continued conflict. In 1285 A.D., the Makhzumite dynasty was overthrown by Ifat’s Walasma dynasty, ending the Sultanate of Shewa.

The Kingdom of Damot, located south of the Abay River, exerted significant power by compelling Shewa to pay tribute and repelling Zagwe armies. Despite this, Damot’s independence ended in the 14th century under King Amda Tsiyon of the Solomonic dynasty, falling under Solomonic influence thereafter. Oromo pressure led some Damot residents to migrate north to southern Gojjam in the late 16th and early 17th centuries.