Gama, after celebrating Epiphany in the province of Agame in January 1542, has his first encounter with the Muslim troops on February 2 at the Battle of Bacente, which Whiteway identifies with Amba Sonaut in Haramat.

The invaders had taken possession of a hill from which they made raids into the countryside.

Although Queen Sabla Wengel advises Gama to march around this hill, advising him to wait until her son Emperor Gelawdewos could arrive from Shewa and join him, he believes that failing to engage the invaders will make the natives distrust his troops, and that they would then stop bringing food and supplies.

Fortunately, the engagement is an unquestioned success, and Gama's men take the hill despite superior enemy numbers, losing only eight men.

Two Portuguese arrive at the end of February from a ship anchored at Massawa, escorted by six people native to the area.

Gama responds with a detachment of forty men to make contact, obtain supplies, and exchange news.

This group fails to reach the ship before it sails, and the only outcome is that these soldiers and their captain are absent for the next battle, which is against Ahmad Gragn himself.