A Historiographical Review of Political Marriage in the Empire of Ethiopia (1850-

1974).

Mebrete Gergiso1

Abstract:

In political atmospheres, rulers used and using different types of handling the regional rulers or the

powerful person within their empire. Of such mechanisms of cementing their political power, Ethiopian

rulers has used marriage as a political device. This primarily with brave warrior to make him their own

subservient and regional war lords are the major target for the formation of political marriage between

daughters of royal family and local chiefs. Emperor Tewodros formed the marriage alliances between

his daughter Altash Tewodros and Young Prince Menelik in 1863. Similarly, Emperor Yohannis Iv

designed the marriage alliances between his son Areya Selassie and a very young child, Menelik

daughter named Zawditu in 1882. Emperor Menelik II similarly formed political marriage between his

daughter wezero Shewarega and Dejjach Wadajo, a son of Ras Gobana Dache. A wife of Emperor

Menelik II, Itege Taytu, a prominent woman in modern Ethiopian history, for her pre-calculation of

political marriage arrangement and political intrigues as well. Likewise, Emperor Haile Selassie I

arranged marriage of his daughter and granddaughter’s with regional rulers of the day and this trend

continued until popular revolution of 1974.

Key words: Political Marriage, Regional Rulers, Lielt, Itege,

Introduction

In Ethiopian history, Kings and queens has had used various mechanism to cements unity of their

country. Among this, using the Marriage as a political device is common practice in Ethiopian history

at least beginning from formation of state in Ethiopian state since pre-Aksumite era. Political marriage

is a marriage for political reasons. It may be initiated via emperor or empress, or by highly-placed

relative or by parents, by the would-be husband as a reward, compensation, rank and status and would

1
Addis Ababa University, History Department, Author can be reached at Email: mebrategergiso@gmail.com

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be wife for wealthy, status, security band protection for herself or her family. Political marriage is also

a marriage alliance between the two or more cohesive competitive forces. Either to liquefy the existing

solid quarrels among them, or means to justify the started disagreements to be resolved and skirmished

via divorce.

This paper deals with historiographical analysis of the Political Marriage in Ethiopia based on the

literatures so far written about them by various elites. This paper is organized under four sub-topics:

general survey of sources; The first one deals with to what extent the consulted literatures address the

history of political marriage in Ethiopia in general and Modern Ethiopia in particular, their weak and

strong sides and the sources used by the writers. The second treats the views and assertions of writers

regarding the political marriage in Ancient and Medieval Ethiopian history up to 1855. While the third

part will discuss about change and continuity in political marriage in Modern Ethiopia from reign of

Tewodros II to downfall of Lij Iyassu (c. 1855-1916), the fourth discusses about Political marriage and

how provincial rulers married members of nobility and its role in national unity since (c.1916-1974).

Lastly, a short concluding remark will be noted.

General Survey of Sources

In writing this paper, the referee has referred both unpublished and published works. The former

includes senior essays of B.A thesis of Tsegaye Namara, M.A. Theses of Tadese Bariso, and Ph.D

dissertation of Heran Sirak-Brhan, while the latter categories consists of books and articles in several

Journals written by foreigners and Ethiopian such as Mahatema Selasse Walda Masqal, Bairu Tafla,

Alame Eshete, Richard Pankhrust, and Joseph Tubiana, Loren. F. Bliese, Berihun M. Mekonnen and

Harald Aspen.

The works of Tadese Bariso and Tseagaye Namara, Loren. F. Bliese, Berihun M. Mekonnen. Their

work is primarily deal with that of Anthropological aspect. The former is focus his studies areas to a

province of Gujji Oromo, his birth place while, the later studied marriage in Afar people, where he

1
successively did research2. However, some part of their though is useful contribution to the

anthropological history is significant, but they give less emphasize to historical background3.

It’s not for only for political Marriage even for historical writing in Ethiopia, a work of Blaten geta,

Mahatamma Sellasie W/Meskel, is incredible and irretrievable contribution persistently in Ethiopian

studies. Of this a one that links with my paper is a book entitled “Hilqe Tiwlid: Nigus Sahle Selasse”

in this work he clearly noted every genealogy of Negus of Shewa to their great grandson (recent

generation)4. It’s not easy to find who married whom and how many a certain individuals of elite family

have married in those days. Nevertheless, his work has failed to narrate the cause and result of marriage,

and moreover, his focus is marriage and children’s they had in common than divorce and cause of

divorce.

Not only a work Blata, but also his contemporary Blatan Geta’s renowned writers like Marsie Hazen

Walde Qirqos, Hiruy Walde Selassie, and autobiographies of Fitwarari Takale Walda Hawariat Tekla

Mariam, Dejazmach Kabede Tesema, Ras Imiru Haile Sellassie, Aleqa Menghistu Lemma, and

chronicles’ like Tsehafe Tezaz’s Gebre Sellassie Walde Aregay, Aklilu Habtewold, Endelkachew

Mekonen5 and consulting diverse biographies of women and men is remarkable evidences in

reconstructing a history of political marriage in general and modern Ethiopia in general. More or less,

the history of the political Marriage is studied by the works of, Bairu Tafla, Alame Eshete, Richard

Pankhurst and Heran Sirak-Brhan and. The first two highly enlighten how and when, why and in what

conditions that Ethiopian Emperors, kings, Provincial rulers has been conducted the marriage practice

for a means of political advantage for some centuries.

2 Loren F. Bliese, “the role of the Women in Afar Cross-Cousin Marriages” in proceedings’ of the XVII International
conference of Ethiopian studies, November 2-5, 2015, pp.79-97.
3 Berihun M. Mekonnen “Early Marriage and the Campaign against It in Ethiopia” and Harald Aspen In “Proceedings of the

16th International Conference of Ethiopian Studies”, ed. by Svein Ege, Harald Aspen, Birhanu Teferra and Shiferaw Bekele,
Trondheim 2009 pp. 1001-1011.
4, Mahatama Sellassie Walde Meskel (Blata geta), Hilqe Tiwild: yee Sahle Selassie, (IES, HSIU, Artistic printing press, Addis

Ababa, 1965),
5Marsie Hazan Walda Qirqos, Yee Hayegnaw Kifla Zaman Mbaecha, Addis Ababa university press 2010; idem,Tizitayee, Sila

rase yemastawusew, 1891-1923, Aster Nega publishing press, 2009; Idem, Qadamawi Haile Selassie, 1922-1927, Addis Ababa
university press 2009,; Mahatamma Sellasie W/ Meskel, “yee blatangeta Metamma Selassie Walde Maskel sibsibi Serawochu”
no publication; Addis Ababa, 2007; idem, Zekr Nager,; Kabade Tasama, Yee Tarikh Mastawesha, Mankusha press, 2007;
Imiru Haile Selasie, Kayehut Ka semawut, Addis Ababa university press 2000; Takale Hawariat, Autobiography; yee Hiwot
Tarikh,; Gebra Sellasie, Tarik Zaman Za Dagmawi Minilik, no publisher, 2008.; Mekonen Endelkachew, Melkam betasaboch,
Berane Selam Press: Addis Ababa, 1949 E.C

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It was Bairu Tafla, who paved the way for the studies of political marriage in Ethiopia since early of

1960s. He tried to illustrate the marriage between various elites in diagram that is one of the qualities

of Bairu Tafla work, he furtherly cemented the history of those elites consequently in his various works6.

Nevertheless his work is not beyond narratives from biographical perspectives than cause and result as

like as that of Joseph Tubiana7.

A work of Alame is brief but it’s too valuable work in narrating the political marriage that held among

the regional rulers from Menelik II to the downfall of Lij Iyasu. The works of Alame and Bairu Tefla is

overlapped task in s of its time space both studied a period from reign of Menelik II up to downfall of

Lij Iyasu.8 Their work cover from a political marriage between Altash Tewodros and Menelik up to lij

Iyasu Polygamy Marriage. Likewise, the work of Alame Eshete is very critical and admirable than the

rest two elites in both using sources and script presentation. Although his works are highly compacted

with use of Amharic songs, proverbs, poems, said in those days of marriage as well as divorce dates are

gorgeous.

The Ph.D. Dissertation of Heran Sirak-Brhan, is one of the leading works. It’s known that the foreign

university of European in 1960s and 70s and American University in later decades particularly after

1980s 1990s they played the leading role. Particularly in trained the Ph. D programmes9. One of these

dominant universities is Michigan State University under Harold Marcus. Heran Sirak-Brhan is one of

the outcome of this university. She is one of 86 the graduate of Africanist Ph.D. historians at Michigan

State university, in its half of century (1967-2017) Only 17 related to Ethiopian History and of this only

6 Bairu Tafla, “Ato Asma Giyorgis, Ras Gobena Daci, Tsahafe Tezaz Gabra Selasse” In Journal of Ethiopian Studies(JES),
Vol 5, No,2, 1967, pp.113-150, idem, “Ras Darge Sahla Sellase, c. 1827-1900” in JES, Vol XIII, No,2, pp.17-39.
7 Joseph Tubiana, “Le Mariage Ethiopien d’ Arnauld d’Abbadie” in Seighert Stanislaw ed. Ethiopian Studies dedicated to

Wolf Leslau on the occasion of his 75 birth day, Nov, 14, Wiesbaden, 1981.pp 442-448. Most of his French work for French
man named Arnauld d’Abbadie is biographical stay in Ethiopia.
8 Bairu Tafla, “Marriage as a political device; an appraisal of a socio-political aspect of the Menelik period, 1889-1916” in

JES Vol X, No, 1, 1972.pp13-21.; Alame Eshete, “Political Marriage and Divorce, in Ethiopian history (late of 19 th Century
and early of 20th century)” a paper read at the Italian cultural institute Addis Ababa, April 14, 1984.
9 Donald Crummey, “Ethiopian Historiography in the Latter Half of the Twentieth Century: A North American Perspectives”,

JES. pp ,1/43 7,24.; See also Bahru Zawde, “A Century of Ethiopian Historiography” in JES Vol 33, no, 2, p.9.

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10 are a research’s done by Ethiopian elites, whom Heran preceded by six and succeeded by three

Ethiopian elites10.

A work of Heran “Building bridges, drying bad blood: elite marriages, politics and ethnicity in 19th and

20th century Imperial Ethiopia” is one of the leading contribution in Ethiopia no one so far studied

political marriage until 1974. Her dissertation contains a relevant and profound historical account based

on extensive use of both primary and secondary sources with analytical and descriptive form of writing.

This makes the work relatively objective and interesting. However, there is serious gap in using the

existing available sources. It’s incomplete and incomprehensive. Moreover, more than quarter of total

dissertation (the first two chapters), is superfluous in relating to marriage in general and political

marriage in particular. However, her work high lightens the Ethnicity versus political Marriage. And

she tried to tie the various province rulers’ marriage with that of central government.

The political marriage in Ancient and Medieval Ethiopian history up to 1855

Marriage is not merely a private contract, but a social institution of great public value and concern 11.

It’s easy to estimate historical evolution of marriage than decide when political marriage has started.

With historical evidence Sergew Hable Selassie, revealed the starting of political marriage in Ethiopia

is at least traced back to reign of Mara Takla Haymanot, founder of Zagwe dynasty. when he married

Mesobewerq, a daughter of the last king of Aksum, Dil Na'od, putting control of Ethiopia in Agaw

hands. Since he married Emperor daughter, who was a member of the Solomonic Dynasty, the Zagwes

are technically part of the Solomonic lineage12.

10 Tessema Ta’a. “The political economy of Western Central Ethiopia: from the mid-16th to the early 20th centuries”. 1986.;

Kendie, Daniel. The internal and external dimensions of the Eritrean conflict. 1994. Guluma Gemede. “Land, agriculture and
society in the Gibe region, southwestern Ethiopia, c. 1850-1974”. 1996.; Ezekiel Gebissa. “Consumption, contraband and
commodification: a history of khat in Harerge, Ethiopia, c. 1930-1991”. 1997.; Getahun Benti. “The dynamics of migration to
Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) and the over-urbanization of the city, c.1941-c.1974”. 2000; Fikru Gebrekidan N. “Bond without
blood, a study of Ethiopian-Caribbean ties, 1935-1991”. 2001.; Sereke-Brhan, Heran. “Building bridges, drying bad blood:
elite marriages, politics and ethnicity in 19th and 20th century Imperial Ethiopia”. 2002.; Getnet, Bekele, “Knowledge, power
and a region: the making of Ethiopia’s South Central Rift Valley: agricultural environment and society, 1892-1974”. 2004.;
Getahun, Solomon Addis. “The history of Ethiopian immigrants in the United States in the twentieth century, 1900-2000”.
2004.; Tibebe Eshete, “Growing through the storms: the history of the Evangelical movement in Ethiopia, 1941-1991”. 2005.
11Cuo-Mu Ciren, Dan-Dan Liang, and et.al, “From Arranged Marriage to Autonomous Marriage: Marriage Liberalization in
India, Ancient Rome, United Kingdom and China” in the International Journal of Humanities and Social Science, Vol. 6, No.
1; January 2016 p.115.
12 Sergew Hable Sellasie, Ancient and Medieval Ethiopian History to 1270, United printing press, (Addis Ababa, Ethiopia,

1972), p.235-237.

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The Ancient and Medieval political marriage in Ethiopia has assessed in three successive articles

contributed by Richard Pankhurst that published in 13 thIPCES13 and Journal of North east Africa14, and

in the Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African studies15. In doing those articles he successfully

covered a period from 15th-reign up until Tewodros II. In his work, Pankhurst, used far-reaching letters,

Contract, and travelers’ accounts. But, his work remains vague since is selective royal Family like

Mentewab and Ras Michael Sehul and other notable provincial rulers. Moreover, Pankhurst work

curbed to only Northern Gondar he fails to attach the southern with northern societies. however, still

it’s solid in using various materials like contract and letter in constructing political marriage of the

time16.

Following downfall of Gondar in 1769, followed by regionalism, commonly named as “Zemena

Mesafint”, with supremacy of Yejju dynasty, in due course of time systematically some notable Yejju

rulers integrated in to Christian Kingdom, consequently the Christian rulers later married Yejju family,

including Tewodros II, who married Tewabech Alli, and Menelik II, who married Taytu Bitul17. A one

who dedicated himself to study of this inarriage is Molla Tikuye, and Asnake Alli, thesis’s. the first

writer failed to reveal the original homelands and how they integrated to centeral government via

political marriage18. Nonetheless, the way he present genealogy of Yejju family is pleasant for readers.

One of the leading work of this time A work of Abir Mordechai, discuss the marriage among the

Shawans themselves, it was in this work that he discussed in detail about Sahle Sellasie marriage with

several women’s in the several provinces.19 He re-counted from Charles Beke, and Harris how the

beautiful slaves become concubines and furtherly integrated to the ruling class through their child’s 20.

13 Richard Pankhrust, “Dynastic inter-marriage and post Medieval Ethiopia in Ethiopia in broader perspective” in proceedings’
of the XIII International conference of Ethiopian studies, November 2-5Kyoto,1997, pp.
14 Richard Pankhurst, “Ethiopian Dynastic Marriage and Beta Israel” in (Aethiopica) International Journal of Ethiopian and

Eritrean Studies1 (1998) pp.50-63.

15 Richard Pankhurst, "An 18th century Ethiopian Dynastic Marriage Contract between Empress Mentewwab of Gondar and

Ras Mika'el Sehul of Tigre," in Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London. School of Oriental
and African Studies: 1979, p. 458.
16 He reproduced a copy of marriage contract between Mentewwab and Ras Michael Sehul in his work from British library.
17 Bahru Zawde, A History of Modern Ethiopia 1855-1991, Addis Ababa: Addis Ababa University,2001, p.28,72
18 Molla Tikuye, “The Rise and Fall of the Yajju Dynasty (1784-1880)”, in Proceedings of the 11th international Conference

of Ethiopian Studies. ed. by Bahru Zewde, Richard Pankhrust, Taddese Beyene, Vol I pp.197-216
19 Abir Mordechai. Ethiopia: The Era of the Princess: The Challenge of Islam and the Reunification of the Christian Empire

1769-1855. London. Praeger, 1968, p.162, 177,

20 Ibid p.64.; Idem, Ethiopia and the red sea: The rise and Decline of the Solomonic Dynasty and Muslim- European Rivalry

in the region, frank co, London, 1980.

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yet, his work is more attached to trade than political marriage. Seven Rubenson has also discussed the

political marriage in a reign of Tewodros II and Yohannis IV, particularly he discussed the political

marriage between Empress Menen Liban and Yohannis III to solve the dispute in the court21

The Change and continuity of political marriage in Modern Ethiopia (c. 1855-1916)

The most enthusiastic to this part of the history a work of Alame Eshete and Bairu Tafla, the former

started his work traced back to reign of Tewodros II while, the later started from reign of Menelik II.

The most revealed political marriage in those dates was a short lived marriage alliance between Altash

Tewodros and Menelik Haile Melekot at Gonder22. Tewodros has tried to over and done with moral

reforms by prohibiting the slave trade and the practice of polygamy.23 The most other historical

significant of marriage is a marriage between Araya Sellasie Yohannis and Zawditu Menelik to solve

a dispute between the two rivalries rulers of North and central Ethiopia24

The serious Existence of political marriage is visible during reign of Meneik II than anyone. It start

from his{Menelik II} own experience, whom he successively married Altash of Gonder, Bafana of

Merahbete, Taytu of Bagemdir, and the way he arranged political marriage between Dejazmach

Wadajo Gobena, a son of notable Oromo chief Ras Gobena, and Shewarega , a daughter of Emperor

Menelik25. It was at this time that a political marriage was arranged from corner to corner of the

country26 in the word of Alame, in those days “Marriage with Gurage women is fashion at this time 27

actually its dominant as we seen from a work of Mahatama Selassie the childs of the royal family

21 Sven Rubenson, Survival of Ethiopian Independence, (Addis Ababa: Kuraz printing press, 1978,) pp, 79,90,94 idem, King
of Kings; Tewodros II, (HSIU; Oxford University press,1966.; Idem ACTA, ETHIOPICA, Vol, III, internal rivalries foreign
threat, 1869-1879, (Addis Ababa University; Rutgers University, 2000).
22 Gebra Sellasie, Tarik Zaman Za Dagmawi Minilik, no publisher, 2008p.37; Takla Tsadiq Mekuria, Atse Minilik ina Yee

Ethipiya Andinet” Bole Printing press, 1983. P.23.;

23 Trimingham John Spencer, Islam in Ethiopia, (Oxford: Oxford University press, 1965) p.118.
24 Bairu Tafla, A Chronicles of Emperor Yohannis IV (1872-1`889), Wiesbaden, Germany, 1977.; Idem “Ras Darge Sahle

Sellassie 1827-1900” JES, vol, 13, 1975. idem “Historical notes of” Leqa tabbabt” Ababa Yerafu; (Bulletin SOAS,
University of London, Vol; 50 No; 2, 1987). pp, 267-300.; Bahru Z, A History of …p.129.
25Biratu Kenei, “History of the Oromo in and Around Finfinnee 1830s-1974” History, AAU, 2010; Bewketu Seyoum, Ka -
Amen Beshager, Far East trading plc., Addis Ababa, 2015, pp.209-210.; Teshome Agiro, ‘Ras Abbaba Aregay, 1904-1960”,
History, AAU, 1976, p.1.
26 Bairu Tafla, “Marriage as a political device; an appraisal of a socio-political aspect of the Menelik period, 1889-1916” in

JES Vol X, No, 1, 1972.pp13-21.

27 Alama Eshete P.9

6
maternal lineages are belongs to Gurage ethnic.28to cement this Bahru said rulers are “no doubt attracted

by the famed beauty of the Gurage29” ,however, it doesn’t mean there is no marriage between the center

with north, east, and west of empire. The leading chain of political marriage is a marriage that arranged

by Itege Taytu, in various time with Wallo-Gonder ruling family with that of Shoan ruling class it more

recounted by Qegnazmach Taddas Zawalde, Biruk Mekonen, and Liqa Hiruyan Balay Mekonen,30.

Taytu used marriage as an a political in her formative years as well as on the eve of disposal of her from

the power.

The Ethiopian historian Bahru Zewde describes Lij Iyassu's reign as "one of the most enigmatic in
Ethiopian history31” The most trajectory of this history of Lij Iyassu period is prevalence of Polygamy
marriage commonly named as Polygyny32 Trimingham, mentioned some part of Oromo rulers are
Polygamous33 even in the 14th century Taddesse Tamrat revealed that there is polygamy where “many
of the monks are accused of having accepted land and money from king, to live with him on his own
s34” and Alame, seriously studied how, why, when and from where Lij Iyasu married to daughters of
various provincial rulers like a daughters of; Ras mengesha of Tigray35, Ras Hailu of Gojjam, Abba
Jifar of Jimma, Sultan Abu-Bakr of Afar, Ydilbi of Syria merchant, Amir Abdullahi of Harar Dajjach
Jote Tullu of Leqa Qellam Wallaga, Somali chiefs and other36. Some of this are the love, and others
are a means to end the dispute37 one of the formative marriage of Lij Iyasu to Aster Mengesha,
granddaughter of Emperor Yohannis IV38, to cement this, Cedric Barnes noted that it was “Menilek
attempted to appease the Empress' faction through the marriage of Iyyasu to the seven year-old
daughters of Ras Mangasha Yohannes of Tegre (son of Emperor Yohannes IV and the nephew of the
childless Taytu39” In majority of the case they had child’s commonly only few of them are unsuccessful
to have a child with Lij Iyassu.

28 Mother of Ras Darghe is either Silte or Gurage, and other allied with them in either love (natural) or for political
advantages. See, Tekla sadiq Atse Minilik.p.695. “Ras Darge Sahla Sellase, c. 1827-1900” in JES, Vol XIII, No,2, pp.17-39.
Wakane Frew, “The Family of Ras Darge and the Church in Selale 1870-1941”, History, HSIU, 1973. P.2
29 Bahru Zawde, “The Aymalal Gurage in the nineteen century: A Political history” In Society, State and History selected

essay, (Addis Ababa: Addis Ababa University Press, 2008), p.53.

30 Taddas zawalde, Taitu Bitul 1932-1910, (Addis Ababa: Kuraz publisher press, 1969); Biruk Mekonen, Itege Taitu Birhane

Zee Ethiopia, (Addis Ababa:Z ad press, 2007), and Balay Mekonen Itege Taitu be Debre Mewi: Mixin xintawi Tarikh,
(Addis Ababa: Africa press, 2006), Bahru Zawde, A History of Modern,..p.117.
31 Bahru Zawde, A History of …p121.
32 Polygyny means marriage of one man with two or more than two wives at a time. Polyandry is a form of marriage in which

one woman marries more than one man at a specified time, see, Cheshire and North’s, Private International Law, 3 (Oxford
University Press, 1999), First Indian Reprint (2006).
33Trimingham John Spencer, Islam in… p. 190, 208.
34 Taddesse Tamrat, Church and State in Ethiopia 1270-1527, (Oxford: at Clarendon Press, 1972) p.118, 323
35 Zawde G/ Sellassie, yohannes IV of Ethiopian: a political Biography Oxford, 1975
36 Alame Eshete, political …. P.44; Gobeze Tafete, Abba Xeenaa Iyaasuu, (Addis Ababa: impress press, 2007), pp.140-144.;
37 Axnafseged Yima, Abeto Iyassu: Anesas ina Awedadeq, (Addis Ababa:Z Artistic Press, 2006) pp.249-258.
38 Hadara Tesfaye, “Ras Seyoum Mangesha, c.1887-1960”, B.A Thesis, AAU, History, 1976, p.30.
39Cedric Barnes, “Provinces and Princes - Power and the Eastern Ethiopian Periphery C 1906-1916” in JES Vol, XXXIV,

no, 2, 2001, pp.95-120.

7
Political marriage among center-periphery and provincial rulers (c.1916-1974)

The period from 1916-1930 which commonly named as Diarchy rule, has no this much overstated in

historiography of political marriages, Levine tried to discuss the nature of the existing monogamy and

polygamy which is actually irrelevant with historical accounts.40The most serious political arrangement

is a period between 1930-1936 by Emperor Haile Selassie, who endorsed his daughters to the renowned

provincial rulers of the time to consolidate his power within center- periphery for centralization

system.41

A one who dedicated his work for this were; Richard Greenfield, the then CIA agent in Ethiopia and

who later wrote a book42 and Margery Perham, John Markakis, and Christopher Clapham works. For

Greenfield The policy of using marriage as a political device has continued as means to sustain the

power reconsolidation to do this, he arranged marriage of his sons with a daughters of Provincial

administrator. and his daughters with province rulers to tie them as integral part of kinship43.

The eldest son Prince Asfaw Wossen was first married to Princess Wolete Israel Seyoum of Tigray and

then following their divorce to Princess Medferiashwork Abebe. Prince Makonnen was married to

Princess Sara Gizaw44. Prince Sahle Selassie was married to Princess Mahisente Habte Mariam.

Princess Romanework married Dejazmatch Beyene Merid until his execution in 193645. Princess

Tenagnework(1912-2003) first married Ras Desta Damtew in (1923-1936), and after she was

widowed46 later married Ras Andargachew Messai47. Princess Tsehai married Lt. General Abiye

Abebe. Princess Zenebework married Dejazmatch Haile Selassie Gugsa. The marriage between

Princess Zenebework and Dejazmach Haile Selassie Gugsa was part of a dynastic alliance that also

included the marriage of her brother, Crown Prince Asfaw Wossen to Princess Wolete Israel Seyoum,

40 Donald Levine, Wax and Gold: Traditional and innovation in Ethiopian culture, (Chicago: University of Chicago press,
1972) pp. 101-103.
41 John Markakis. Ethiopia Anatomy of Traditional Polity Addis Ababa, 1974
42 Richard Greenfield, A New Political History of Ethiopia, (USA: Pall Mall press,1965), p.183,
43 Markakis, …pp.230-31
44 She is a sister of late leader of Ethiopian student’s movement named Tilahun Gizaw.
45 He is commander of Ethiopian army in Southern front along with Ras Desta Damtew, and Mekonen Endalkachew. Three

of them were emperor son in law, only Mekonen escaped from execution and lived with PrinceYeshshworq Yilma Mekonen.
46 Princess Aida Desta, Prince Amha Desta, Princess Seble Desta, Princess Hirut Desta, Princess Sophia Desta and Rear

Admiral Prince Iskinder Desta, one of 60s executed by Derg regime Dec of 1974.
47 Edward Ullendorff, The Ethiopians: Introduction to Country and People, (Oxford: Oxford University press, 1965) p.199.

8
the daughter of Ras Seyoum Mengesha48. In 1932, the ex-wife of Ras Gugsa Araya, Yeshashworq

Yilma, emperor niece, divorced to had threatened to destroy the emperor carefully constructed Shewa-

Tegrean accord49 and married to Mekonen Endalkachew until his death in 196350

The new mode of political arrangement was in late 1950s and early of 1960s, when Empeoror tie

members of Walaga aristocratic family with political marriage51, the most outstanding figure were; a

marriage arranged between Dejjazmach Habtemariam Gabra Egzabher of Leqa Naqamte, with Atsede,

Emperor granddaughters52 and Dr, Dejazmach Kassa Walda Mariam of Leqa Qella, married Emperor

granddaughter imabete Sophia Desta53 and Yilma Deresa married to a daughter of Hakim Warqineh54

and Baro Tumsa married Warqinash, until his death in 1978 at Garamuleta in Eastern Hararghe

province, Ethiopia55

48 Hadara Tesfaye, “Ras Seyoum Mangesha, c. 1887-1960”, (B.A Thesis, AAU, History, 1976)
49 Bahru Zawde, Pioneers of Change in Ethiopia: The Reformist Intellectuals of the Early Twentieth Century. (Addis Ababa:
Addis Ababa university press 2002. p.78.
50 Richard Greenfield, A New Political History of Ethiopia, (USA: Pall Mall press,1965), p.155;
51 Tsegaye Namara, “Power consolidation over the conquered territories: The case of Wallega”, B.A Thesis, AAU, History,

1973. p.21.
52 Kebede Kejela, “A Biography of Dejazmach Habtemariam Gabre Eghzabher” B.A Thesis, AAU, History, 1989
53 Ibid, He is HSIU president from 1969-1973. Princess Sophia, is daughter of Lielt Tengework Haile Sellassie.; see,

Markakis Ethiopia Anatomy… p.231.

54 Commonly known Dr. Charles Martin.
55 She is a sister of General Damisie

9
Conclusion

From the above assessed literatures, it is essential to conclude few ideas as follow. The writers who

have been referred to in this review shed light on the historiographical works on Political Marriage with

particular reference to Modern Ethiopia (c.1855-1991). They have explored the political marriage in

Ancient and Medieval and Modern Ethiopian history up to 1974, have assessed if not compiled in a

single publication, its fragmented and very selective, in both areas of the study and period of the studied

by various elites.

This short historiographical review also makes known that the history of Political Marriage in Ethiopia

is part and parcel of the Political history of Ethiopia, and it’s too fragmented and available in every

documents if not all books of Ethiopian history. From this, I understand it need and must to read more

books, articles, proceedings that interrelated with Sociological, and Anthropological studies. Since,

marriage is the main theme of Social Anthropology.

The study of Political marriage is the study of Women history either directly or indirectly. Therefore, it

consumes more time to collect and compile it together. using Immemorial paper written on them,

Biography of both women and men that so far done at department or written by amateur historian is

mandatory in reconstructing the history of Political Marriage. If not mistake it cannot less difficult than

understanding hereditary line or genealogy of Ethiopian elites.

10
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12
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