ETHIOPIA

Gojjam

GENEALOGY

• 1) Ras Hailu Yosadiq, Prince of Gojjam (s/o Woizero Walatta Israel) - see below.
• 1) Woizero Kherut (sister of Ras Hailu Yosadiq). She had issue, a daughter:
  • a) Woizero Qatsaro. m. 1790, H.H. Ras Aligaz Gwangul (d. at Yajju, before 5^th August 1803), Viceroy of the Empire, son of Gwangul Merid [Abba Seru], of Yajju, by his third wife, Woizero Galibu, daughter of H.H. Ras Faris, of Salawa, Viceroy during the reign of Emperor Takla Haymanot - see Ethiopia (Begamedar).

• 1) Ras Merid Hailu [Mardha], Prince of Gojjam - see below.
• 2) Fasilidas Hailu.
• 1) Woizero Walatta Giyorgis.
• 2) Woizero Yawubdar.
• 3) Woizero Dinqinash (d/o Malidama). She became a nun at Waldabba Monastery after the death of her husband. m. 1799 (div. 1806) Dejazmatch Chintu Krestu Zewde Salim  (d. in prison, at Balamba, before 1813), Actg. Governor of Damot and Gojjam 1799. She had issue, a son:
  • a) Ras Goshu Zewde, Prince of Gojjam - see below.

• 1) Dejazmatch Gwalu Merid, Ruler of Gojjam - see below.

• 1) Dejazmatch Tadla Gwalu, Ruler of Gojjam - see below.

• 1) Dejazmatch Tesemma Goshu. m. Woizero Milad [Meskab], daughter of Wolde Sehul, and a descendant of Emperor Qwastantinos II, from his daughter, Princess Marta. He d. in prison at Mount Arba, ca. 1855, having had issue:
  • a) Ras Adal Tesemma, who became H.H. Negus Takla Haymanot, King of Gojjam - see below.
  • b) Dejazmatch Zalaqa Tesemma.
• 2) Dejazmatch Birru Goshu. Governor of Qwara, Dembiya, and Tchelga 1839. Imprisoned by Emperor Tewodros II 1853-1868. m. Woizero Yawubdar, daughter of Dejazmatch Sahlu, by his wife, H.M. Empress Menen née Halima, daughter of Ras Liban Amade Kolase, Imam of the Wollo of Warra Himenu. He was k. 1869, having had issue, a daughter.
• 3) Dori Goshu.
• 4) Yelemtu Goshu. m. Woizero Sehin.

• 1) Dejazmatch Negusa Tadla.
• 2) Ras Desta Tadla, Prince of Gojjam - see below.
• 3) Hailu Tadla.
• 1) Woizero Bizunesh. m. Wale Hailu, a relation of Dejazmatch Chintu Zewde Salim, of Damot.

1874 - 1901 H.H. Negus Takla Haymanot, King of Gojjam. b. ca. 1852, as Adal Tesemma, elder son of Dejazmatch Tesemma Goshu, by Woizero Meelad [Meskab], daughter of Wolde Sehul. Governor of Monkorer 1870, granted rank of Dejazmatch May 1870, and prom. to Ras June 1870. He killed Ras Desta Tadla and assumed the government of Gojjam, 14^th July 1874 (later confirmed by Emperor Yohannes IV). Crowned at Dabra Tabor, Samara, as Negus Takla Haymanot, 20^th January 1881. m. (first) Woizero Guddaye, former wife of Dejazmatch Tadla Gwalu, Ruler of Gojjam, and daughter of Dejazmatch Wolde Gabre. m. (second) Woizero Dasseta, daughter of Woizero Sabana Giyorgis, daughter of Enqa Samuel, of the Solomonic line. m. (third)  November 1870, H.H. Negest Woizero Laqech, eldest daughter of Wagshum Gabre Medhin, sometime Governor of Lasta, by his second wife. m. (third) Woizero Wosen. He d. at Debra Waraq, 10^th January 1901, having had issue, three sons and four daughters:

• 1) H.E. Ras Bezibeh Takla Haymanot (s/o Guddaye). Vice-Governor of Gojjam 1901-1905. m. (second?) at Addis Ababa, December 1901, Woizero Zenabe Worq (b. at Dessie, December 1892; d. in childbirth, at Debra Markos, April 1904), daughter of H.H. Negus Mikael, King of Zion, by his wife, Woizero Shoa Reged, daughter of H.M. Emperor Menelik II, Elect of God, Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah and King of Kings of Ethiopia, GCB, GCMG. He d. in confinement, at Amba Afqara, 19^th August 1905, having had issue,  two sons and two daughters:
  • a) Fitawrari Adal Bezibeh. He d. after 1917. Copyright© Christopher Buyers
  • b) … Bezibeh. He had issue, a daughter:
    • i) Woizero Kibre Zewde [Elfinesh]. m. at Addis Ababa, 11^th September 1943, Dejazmatch Yohannes Iyasu (d. at Jima, 1977), son of H.M. Iyasu V, Elect of God, King of Kings of Ethiopia, GCVO, by his fourth wife, Woizero Worqnesh, daughter of Dejazmatch Goshu, descendant of Emperor Iyasu I. She had issue, one son - see Ethiopia (Shoa).
  • a) Woizero … m. Ras Kabbada Mangasha (b. 1879; m. second and div. 1926, Woizero Atsede Asfaw, and d. 1937), son of H.H. Ras Bitwodad Mangasha Atikam, Governor of Gojjam. She had issue, at least one son - see above.
  • b) Woizero … m. Fitawrari Wolde Mariyam. She had issue, a son:
    • i) H.E. Bitwodad Negash Bezibeh. b. 1905. Adopted by his grandfather at his birth and took his name. Presdt. of the Senate 1942-1943, Governor of Arusi 1943-1946, Vice-Minister in the Legal Affairs Bureau 1946. Tried and condemned for his part in an attempt to assassinate Emperor Haile Selassie I in 1951, and confined at Jimma. Raised to the title of Dejazmatch 1936. m. a daughter of Fitawrari Taffese Abayne. He d. at Mehase, 1972.
• 2) Dejazmatch Balaw Takla Haymanot. He d. 1906, having had issue, four sons:
  • a) H.E. Ras Sahle Mariam Balaw. b. at  Bethlehem, Inese, Gojjam, 16^th May 1889, educ. Parochial Sch., Bethlehem. PC 1906, Governor of Motta 1941, and Gojjam. Granted the personal titles of Dejazmatch 1941, and Ras. Rcvd: GC of the Order of the Star of Ethiopia and GO of the Order of Menelik II, GC of the Order of Franz Josef of Austria (1914). m. Woizero Asigidetch Wond Yarad.
  • b) H.E. Dejazmatch Ayyalew Balaw. Raised to the title of Ras by the Italians.
  • c) H.E. Dejazmatch Gessesse Balaw. Deserted during the Italian War while cdr. of a cont. of the Gojjam forces. He was k. by the Italians, ca. 1936. Copyright© Christopher Buyers
  • d) H.E. Ras Hailu Balaw. b. 1890, educ. privately. Governor of Gojjam 1942-1946 and 1951-1957, Crown Councillor. Granted the personal title of Dejazmatch, and prom. to Ras March 1942. He d. 1970.
• 3) H.H. Le'ul-Ras Hailu Takla-Haymaynot, Prince of Gojjam (s/o Wosen) - see below.
• 1) Woizero ... m. a son of Ras Araya Dimtsu, sometime Governor of Tigray.
• 2) Woizero Walatta Takla Haymanot (d/o Dasseta). m. (firs) Dejazmatch Gugsa Mirtcha (d. September 1869), eldest son of Dejazmatch Mirtcha Wolde Kidane, Shum of Temben, by his wife, Woizero Silas [Amata Selassie], daughter of Dejazmatch Dimtsu. m. (a) Abeto Gabre Mariam, third son of Abeto Tawalda Medhin, of Tsazzega, by Tsenu, daughter of Walda Gabriel, of Beshat, in Agame.  She had issue, two sons by her first husband - see Ethiopia (Tigray) and one son by her second - see Ethiopia (Solomonic line).
• 3) Woizero Negast (d/o Laqech). m. (first) before 1900, Ras Mesfin of Damot. m. (second) Dejazmatch Gessessa Wolde Hanna (d. 1926), son of Jantirar Wolde Hanna, of Ambasel, by his wife, Woizero Desta, younger daughter of H.E. Dejazmatch Betul Haile Mariam, sometime Governor of Semien. She had issue, one son by her second husband - see Ethiopia (Tigray).
• 4) Woizero Mentwab.

• 1) H.E. Ras Kabbada Mangasha.  b. 1879 (s/o Tenagne), educ. privately. Governor of Wollo 1918-1926, Kaffa 1926-1930, and Bore 1930-1936. Rcvd: GC of the Order of the Crown of Italy (1928). m. (first) a daughter of Ras Bezibeh Takla Haymanot, sometime Vice-Governor of Gojjam. m. (second) March 1903, Woizero Mentwab (b. ca.1889; d. January 1907), former wife of H.H. Ras Makonnen Wolde Mikael, KCMG, and daughter of Ras Wale Betul, Governor of Yajju. m. (third) 1908 (div. 1926), H.H. Princess Atsede (m. second, Field Marshal H.H. Le'ul Ras Seyun Mangasha, Prince of Tigray, KBE, by whom she left issue - see Tigray), only daughter of Dejazmatch Asfa Darge, sometime Governor of Salala. He d. 1937, having had issue:
  • a) Dejazmatch Asfaw Kabbada. m. Woizero Menbere Tsahai Haile Giorgis. He had issue, a son:
    • i) Ato Haile Giorgis Asfaw. b. at Addis Ababa, 7^th February 1948, educ. St Joseph's Sch. and Good Shepard Convent, Addis Ababa, in England and at Northeastern Univ. (B. Econ. 1974, M. Econ. 1975). Sometime Business Analyst with Dunn & Bradstreet, and Resteraunteur. m. at Los Angeles, California, 1978, Woizero Negede Gezahegene. He d. 17^th July 2002.
  • a) Woizero Tsige Mariam (d/o Mentwab). m. Dejazmatch Desta Gebru.
• 1) Woizero Laqech [Tsige Maryam] (d/o Sifrash Bizu). m. Lij Gabre Rufael Gobena, son of Ras Gobena Dachi, Prince of Falle, Chief of the Abitchu Galla. She had issue, one daughter.
• 2) Woizero Askala Mariam (d/o Tenagne). m. (first) 1896 (div.), H.H. Le'ul-Ras Hailu Takla-Haymaynot [Abba Hayal], Prince of Gojjam, KBE (b. 1875; d. at Addis Ababa, 2^nd May 1951), fourth son of H.H. Negus Takla Haymanot, King of Gojjam, by Woizero Wosen - see below.
• 3) Woizero Wosen Falesh (d/o Sifrash Bizu). m. Major-General Dejazmatch Abebe Damtew, son of  H.E. Fitawrari Damtew Ketena, sometime Envoy Ext. & Min. Plen. to Russia. She had issue, three daughters:
  • a) Woizero Mulumabet. m. (first) Ras Birru Habte Mariam Wolde Gabriel. m. (second) Lij Araya Abebe (d. at Washington DC, USA, 10^th May 2002), Ambassador to Greece until 1974. She had issue by her second husband:
    • i) Lij Amde Araya. Copyright© Christopher Buyers
  • b) Woizero Aklog. m. Tekle Roro.
  • c) H.I.M. Empress Medferiash Worq. b. 1925, educ. privately. Crowned privately with her husband at London 6^th April 1988. Patroness of the Monastery of St. Mary at Gishen. Rcvd: Grand Collar and Chain of the Order of Solomon, GC of the Orders of the Star of Solomon and the Queen of Sheba (8.4.1945), Mbr of the Order of the Serephim of Sweden (19.12.1959), GC of the Orders of St Olav of Norway (x.1.1956), and Beneficience of Greece (x.4.1959). m. at Addis Ababa, 8^th April 1945, as his second wife, H.I.M. Amha Selassie I, Elect of God, Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah and King of Kings of Ethiopia, GCMG, GCVO, GBE, Royal Victorian Chain (b. at Harar, 27^th July 1916; d. at Fair Oaks Hospital, Fairfax, Virginia, USA, 17^th January 1997, bur. Holy Trinity Cathedral, Addis Ababa), eldest son of H.I.M. Emperor Haile Selassie I, Elect of God, Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah and King of Kings of Ethiopia, KG, GCB, GCMG, GCVO, Royal Victorian Chain, by his second wife, H.I.M. Empress Menen, daughter of Dejazmatch Asfaw Mikael, Jantirar of Ambassel. She d. in hospital at Addis Ababa, 13^th March 2009 (bur. there beside her mother in the graveyard of the Holy Trinity Cathedral), having had issue, one son and three daughters – see  Ethiopia (Shoa).
• 4) Woizero Zawditu (d/o Debritu). m. as his first wife, H.E. Ras Bitwodad Makonnen Endalkachew, OBE (b. at Addisge, 16^th February 1890; m. second, at Holy Trinity Church, Jerusalem, June 1936, Woizero Abonash Takla-Mariam, and d. at Addis Ababa, 27^th February 1963, leaving further issue - see Shoa), son of Balambaras Endalkachew Abreque, by his second wife, Woizero Abonash Takla-Mariam, daughter of Ato Takla-Mariam. She d. 28^th December 1935, having had issue, sixteen children, of whom only one son and one daughter survived:
  • a) H.E. Lij Endalkachew Makonnen, GCMG (1.2.1965), CVO (14.10.1954). b. at Addis Ababa, 27^th September 1926, educ. Oxford. Minister for Posts & Communication, Ambassador to the Court of St James's, Permanent Rep. to the UN 1966, Prime Minister 28^th Feb-22^nd Jul 1974. Vice-Presdt. World Alliance of Young Men's Christian Assocs. (YMCA). Hon. DLL Springfield Coll. (Massachusetts, USA). He was k. by the Derge, at Addis Ababa, 23^rd November 1974.
  • a) Woizerit Berhane Makonnen.

1907 - 1932 H.H. Le'ul-Ras Hailu Takla-Haymaynot [Abba Hayal], Prince of Gojjam, KBE (c 8.7.1924). b. 1875, as Seyun Adal, fourth son of H.H. Negus Takla Haymanot, King of Gojjam, by Woizero Wosen. Governor of Mecha 1896-1901, Gojjam 1907-1932 (Vice-Governor 1901). Granted the personal title Le'ul Ras together with the style of His Highness, 1^st November 1930. Sentenced to death (commuted to life inprisonment) for helping Lij Yasu to escape from confinement at Fikke in 1931. Released by the Italians in 1936, and sent to pacify Gojjam Surrended to Emperor Haile Selassie and confined at Addis Ababa 1941-1950. Rcvd: GC of the Orders of the Seal of Solomon, Star of Ethiopia, Polar Star of Sweden (10.6.1924), etc. m. (first) 1896 (div.) Woizero Askala Mariam, daughter of H.E. Ras Bitwodad Mangasha Atikam, Governor of Gojjam, by his first wife, Woizero Tenagne Walatta Rufael, a descendant of King Sahle Selassie of Shoa. m. (second) 12^th April 1909, as her third husband (div. 1910), H.H. Princess (Le'ult) Assalafetch (b. at Gondar, 1885; m. fourth, Dejazmatch Makureya Girmane. m. fifth, 1934, Dejazmatch Gezaw Gemma, and d. at Addis Ababa, 12^th August 1935, bur: at St Mary's Church, Entotto), former wife of H.E. Dejazmatch Yilma Makonnen, sometime Governor of Harar, and of H.H. Ras Bitwodad Damessaw Nasibu, of Wollega, sometime Regent of Ethiopia, and daughter of Jantirar Wolde Hanna, of Ambasel, by Woizero Desta, younger daughter of H.E. Dejazmatch Betul Haile Mariam, sometime Governor of Semien. He d. at Addis Ababa, 2^nd May 1951, having had issue, three sons and three daughters:

• 1) Lij Alem Seggad Hailu.
• 2) Lij Yohannes Hailu.
• 3) Fitawrari Admasu Hailu. Copyright© Christopher Buyers
• 1) Woizero Sabla Wangel (d/o Askala Mariam). m. (first) April 1910 (div. 1916) H.M. Iyasu V, Elect of God, King of Kings of Ethiopia, GCVO (b. at Tanta, 3^rd February 1898; d. at Gara Muleta, 25^th November 1935), son of H.H. Negus Mikael, King of Zion, alias Imam Muhammad 'Ali, by his wife, Woizero Shoa Reged, daughter of H.M. Emperor Menelik II, Elect of God, Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah and King of Kings of Ethiopia, GCB, GCMG. m. (second) Dejazmatch Yigezu Behapte (b. 1873), Minister for Commerce 1918, Governor and Mayor of Addis Ababa, son of Negadrras Behapte. m. (third) Dejazmatch Mangasha Jimbirre (b. 24^th May 1881; d. 15^th April 1950), of Faguta. She d. 1970, having had issue.
• 2) Woizero Dinqinash. m. Ras Getachew Abate (b. ca. 1895; d. 1950), son of Ras Abate, Wagshum.
• 3) Woizero Sahay Worq. m. Haile Mikael. She had issue, two sons:
  • a) Mammo Haile Mikael. He d. 1945.
  • b) Kebbede Haile Mikael. He d. 1945

Copyright© Christopher Buyers, May 2001 - March 2009