Garad Matan ibn Uthman Al Somali

Matan ibn Uthman ibn Khalid (, ) born early 1490 – 28 October 1531, also known as Garad Matan, was a Somali military commander and Adalite general that served the Adal Sultanate. He led key and decisive battles, famously in charge of the Somali divisions. He was also the brother-in-law of Imam Ahmed and his right-hand man. Garad Matan played a very prominent role in the campaigns against the Abyssinians, killing the son of Lebna Dengel, Victor. Garad Matan hailed from the Geri Koombe clan. He was regarded one of the most courageous military generals in East Africa, well documented in the Futuh Al Habash.

Early life

Born into the powerful Geri Koombe clan, a branch of the Darood, he was a key figure in the Muslim conquests in the Horn of Africa. He began his career as a knight, similar to his brother-in-law, Imam Ahmed, who also began as a knight. Both Garad Matan and Imam Ahmed were from the same clan, Geri koombe. Matan ascended up the ranks until becoming a military general, and was explicitly hailed as one of the greatest knight. Like previously mentioned Garaad Matan led key battles for the Adal sultanate, also famously leading the Somali Adalite Division. The Imam gathered all the Somali tribes and made them one unit entrusting the unit to his Brother In law Garad Matan. The number of patricians killed was staggering, the futuh reports exactly 130 Amhara and Tigrayan patricians were killed Then the Imam dispatched his right-hand man and brother in law Garad Matan Al Somali who then conquered Eastern Shewa then General Matan Al Somali drove his adalite forces and conquered Bete Amhara ( House Of Amhara ) by the end of the year Dawit II fell back behind the Abay River to seek refuge in Gojjam much deeper into the highlands.

Garad Matan sacks the home of Lebna Dengel The Imam then commanded Garad Matan along with Farasaham to conquer Andutna this place itself was considered to be the royal towns of the Abyssinian kings. according to historical scholars modern day Andutna is a settlement near north of Addis Abbaba known as Entotto. Nevertheless, when Garad Matan and Farasaham arrived they conquered Andutna and arrived at its church and sacked, it. Arab faqih gives an explicit descriptive account of the sacking of the church.

Arab Faqih writes They set out, arrived and burned the church down. Its acroterial ornaments were of gold, and the cross above it was of red gold. They stripped it of its gold and burnt it and plundered its furnishings, which the Christians of the village had left behind in three trenches. But as for gold, they found nothing there apart from what they took from the church. Imam then reunited with Garad Matan after arriving back from Dukam, the Imam and Matan then arrived at the home of Lebna Dengel, Andutna was the home of Lebna Dengel, Matan and the imam entered the house and at first were amazed at it but they then subsequently burned it down, Arab Faqih gives an even more descriptive account

Arab Faqih notesThe imam, meantime, marched with his army from Dukam and entered Andutna, a village of the king Wanag Sagad. To return to Farasaham 'Ali and Mattan the two of them joined the imam in the above- mentioned village. In Andutna was the house of the Abyssinian king, in which were paintings, images of lions, of human beings, of birds, depicted in red, yellow, green and white and other colours. The Muslims entered the house, and were amazed at what was in it; and then burnt it. The companions of Garad Ahmusa who had been routed, reached the imam on the day of his march against the Amba. They informed him about what had happened. He was saddened on account of his brother-in-law Mattan, said the prayer "Truly to God we belong, and unto Him do we return", and wept.