Quick Facts
Biography
Talha bin Jafar was a nineteenth century Argobba-Ethiopian rebel in Ifat and later governor of Wadessa, Hararghe in Ethiopia. He belonged to the Mahdi Sufi tariqa.
Militant career
Beginning in 1879 he led a resistance movement against the Abyssinian emperors Yohannes IV and later Menelik II due to the states hostile policies towards Muslims in the region. At first Mikael of Wollo did not take Talha's revolt seriously and dismissed him as merely an individual intoxicated by the narcotic chat leaf, however Mikael was proven wrong when Talha's forces managed to defeat an army sent to quell the rebellion.
Talha was also part of the Mahdist Sudanese invasion of Ethiopia which had sacked several towns including Gonder.
Political career
During the reign of Lij Iyasu, he was appointed governor of Wadessa in the Harar region of Chercher.