Mirko and Stjepan Seljan

Mirko Seljan (April 5, 1871 – 1912/13?) and Stjepan Seljan (August 19, 1875 – June 7, 1936) were important Croatian explorers.

Ethiopia

They started in January 1899, leaving Karlovac for Trieste, Italy. They visited Alexandria and Cairo, then walked along the Nile to Sudan. After returning to Cairo, they headed to Port Said, Djibouti, and Aden, reaching Bab el Mandeb. After traveling to Obock, they returned to Djibouti, but eventually ended up in Harar and then Addis Ababa in Ethiopia.

Related Topics:
1899 - Trieste - Italy - Alexandria - Cairo - Nile - Sudan - Port Said - Djibouti - Aden - Bab el Mandeb - Obock - Harar - Addis Ababa - Ethiopia

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On the recommendation of several influential people from Europe, Emperor Menelik II of Ethiopia provided an escort of 300 people to continue their expedition to the south. Mirko became the governor of provinces with his older brother, Stjepan, as his lieutenant. For three years they set the lines between Ethiopia and Kenya, bringing the tribes under unified and central government in Adis Ababa. Near Lake Turkana (Lake Rudolf), their expedition and military camps were named Seljenville.

Related Topics:
Emperor - Menelik II - Ethiopia - Escort - Lieutenant - Kenya - Lake Turkana - Seljenville

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The greatest benefit of the journey was that they expanded the sovereignty of Ethiopia to the right side of the river Omo. The current borders between the states of Ethiopia, Sudan, and Kenya around lake Turkana are the same as those drafted by the brothers. In 1902, due to political tension, they left, only to return after the end of hostilities between imperial Britain and France (cf. Fashoda Incident).

Related Topics:
Omo - Sudan - Kenya - Turkana - 1902 - Fashoda Incident

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