Ethiopian military titles

The military ranks of the Ethiopian Army originally came from the traditional organization of their forces. An army in the field or in camp was composed of a vanguard, main body, left and right wings and a rear body. The titles of the upper level of officers reflected this organization:

The above titles which were originally purely military ranks later became titles of nobility held by men of no military background. The titles were granted by regional rulers until Emperor Haile Selassie ended the practice and they became the sole gift of the monarch. Many individuals hold the titles up to the present time.

Traditionally the governors of the provinces were at the head of their local Sefari (provincial or district armed force) and levy. Depending on the importance of their locality they were called Dejazmach Negarit, Degiac Negarit or Degiac. A Degiac was the commander of a unit equivalent to a regiment, composed of two to three thousand men.

The traditional army units were organized on the decimal system and the titles of their commanders, the Basciai, reflected this organization:

These ranks have been retained in the modern army, the upper rank titles of the army follow the European model.

...
Wikipedia