The Imam's followers were accustomed to making lightning raids on Ethiopian territory, swiftly attacking and quickly returning home; they had no experience in pitched battles, and Imam Ahmad Gragn struggled with numerous desertions.
Os seguidores do imán estaban acostumados a facer incursións "lóstrego" en territorio etíope, atacando rapidamente e volvendo axiña; non tiñan experiencia en batallas campais, e o imán Ahmed Gragn tivo que afrontar numerosas desercións.