Ras Mengesha Yohannes facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ras
Mengesha Yohannes
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| መንገሻ ዮሓንስ | |
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| Born | 1868 |
| Died | 1906 (aged 38) Tigray , Ethiopia
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| Nationality | Ethiopian |
| Years active | 1889-1906 |
Ras Mengesha Yohannes (Tigrinya: መንገሻ ዮሓንስ; 1868-1906) was a powerful leader in Ethiopia. He was the governor of Tigray, a region in northern Ethiopia. Mengesha was the son of Emperor Yohannes IV, who ruled Ethiopia from 1872 to 1889.
After his father's death, Mengesha hoped to become the next emperor. However, another strong leader, Emperor Menelik of Shewa, took the throne instead. Mengesha Yohannes played a big role in the history of Ethiopia, especially during a time when the country faced challenges from Italy.
Contents
Who Was Ras Mengesha Yohannes?
Early Life and Family
Mengesha Yohannes was born in 1868. His mother was Welette Tekle Haymanot. For a long time, people thought Mengesha was the nephew of Emperor Yohannes IV. But in 1889, as the Emperor was dying, he declared that Mengesha was his own son. He also named Mengesha as his chosen heir to the throne.
This announcement caused some problems. Other relatives of the Emperor disagreed with this choice. This made it hard for Mengesha to become the next emperor.
A Claim to the Throne
After Emperor Yohannes IV died, his camp was divided. This prevented Mengesha from becoming the new emperor. Instead, Menelik of Shewa became the Emperor of Ethiopia.
At first, Ras Mengesha did not want to accept Menelik as emperor. He even thought about joining the new Italian colony of Eritrea. Mengesha hoped the Italians would help him rebel against Emperor Menelik.
However, the Italians started taking over more land in Tigray, Mengesha's home region. Mengesha also remembered that the Italians had been enemies of his father. He realized that Italy's real goal was to conquer all of Ethiopia. Because of this, Mengesha Yohannes decided to finally accept Menelik II as emperor.
Working with Emperor Menelik II
On June 2, 1894, Mengesha Yohannes and his three main commanders went to Addis Ababa, the new capital city. They went to the Grand Palace to meet Emperor Menelik. The Emperor was sitting on his throne, wearing a large crown.
Mengesha and his commanders each carried a rock on their shoulder. This was a sign of their submission and asking for forgiveness. They bowed down before the Emperor. Menelik simply told them they were forgiven.
After promising their loyalty to Menelik, they went back to Tigray. Soon after, a leader named Bahta Hagos started a rebellion against the Italians.
Fighting for Ethiopia
Mengesha then led his army against the Italians at the Battle of Coatit. His forces were pushed back in this battle. Another fight, led by Fitawrari Gebeyehu, defeated the Italians at Amba Alagi.
The biggest battle happened in 1896. Mengesha Yohannes and the forces from Tigray fought alongside Emperor Menelik against the Italians. This was the very important Battle of Adwa. Ethiopia won this battle, which was a huge victory against a European power.
After the war, Mengesha Yohannes was rewarded with a large sum of money. He also married Kafay Wele Batul, who was the niece of Empress Taytu Betul. This marriage was meant to make the bond between the powerful families of Tigray, Shewa, and Yejju even stronger.
Later Years and Legacy
In 1899, Mengesha Yohannes rebelled against Menelik again. He was upset because he was not given the title of Negus (King) of Zion. Because of this rebellion, Emperor Menelik had Ras Mengesha captured. He was put under house arrest at the old royal palace in Ankober.
Mengesha Yohannes died as a prisoner in 1906.
What Happened Next?
Even after Mengesha Yohannes's death, his family remained important in Tigray. His son, Leul Ras Seyoum Mengesha, and his grandson, Leul Ras Mengesha Seyoum, both became governors of Tigray. They continued to lead the region for many years.
Ras Mengesha is seen as the founder of one of the main branches of the Ethiopian Imperial Solomonic Dynasty. This means his family was a key part of the royal lineage of Ethiopia.
Succession Problems
There was some confusion about who Mengesha's father was. His mother, Wolete Tekle Haymanot Tomcho, was engaged to Dejazmatch Gugsa, who was Emperor Yohannes's brother.
When Emperor Yohannes's first son, Ras Araya Selassie Yohannes, died, Mengesha was given the title of Ras. He also took command of Araya Selassie's army.
It was only when Emperor Yohannes was dying at Metemma that he told important leaders that Mengesha was his own son, not his brother Gugsa's. He then named Mengesha as his heir. However, some of Yohannes's close relatives did not accept this. They claimed they also had a right to become emperor.
Even if Mengesha had been his nephew, he could still have been chosen as heir. The Emperor likely revealed the truth about Mengesha's parentage to make his claim stronger.
Some historians disagree about Mengesha's true father. Augusus B. Wylde, a British writer, believed Mengesha was definitely Yohannes's son. However, other older sources suggest he was Gugsa's son.
Familial Rivalry and Division of Tigray
Even after Mengesha Yohannes accepted Emperor Menelik, there were still rivalries between the different branches of Emperor Yohannes IV's family. Emperor Yohannes had his older son, Ras Araya Selassie Yohannes, and his younger son, Mengesha.
For a time, Tigray was divided between Ras Araya's son, Gugsa Araya, and Ras Mengesha's son, Ras Seyoum. Gugsa Araya ruled the eastern part of Tigray, and Seyoum ruled the western part.
Eventually, Mengesha's son, Ras Seyoum, became the Leul (Prince) of all Tigray. This happened after his cousin Gugsa Araya died and after Gugsa Araya's son, Dejazmatch Haile Selassie Gugsa, betrayed Ethiopia. In 1935, Haile Selassie Gugsa joined the Italian invaders when they conquered Ethiopia.
