Gebre Tasfa

In 1783 Dejazmach Gebre allowed the matrimony between his daughter Teshen Gebre and Emperor Tekle Giyorgis I (the last emperor until the advent of Tewodros II to wield his own authority) in a bid to undermine the growing Yejiu influence in Gondar. Tekle Giyorgis I relations with Ali I of Yejju soured after signs of independence on the part of the Emperor. Ali I fearful for his position and in the absence of Gebre, attacked and deposed the Emperor and had put Iyasu III on the throne. Tekle Giyorgis escaped to Semien, his father-in-law domain. Gebre would assist his son-in-law several times back to the throne.{{cite journal |last=Rosenfeld |first=Chris Prouty |date=1979 |title=EIGHT ETHIOPIAN WOMEN OF THE "ZEMENE MESAFINT" (c. 1769-1855) |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/43660013 |journal=Northeast African Studies |volume=1 |issue=2 |pages=79–81 |doi= |jstor=43660013 |access-date=}}{{cite book |last=Tafla |first=Bairu |author-link= |date=1987 |title=Asma Giyorgis and His Work: History of the Gāllā and the Kingdom of Šawā |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mGcwAQAAIAAJ&q=gabre+of+semen |location= |publisher=Franz Steiner Verlag Wiesbaden GmbH |pages=437–438 |isbn=9783515037167}}

In 1789, Gebre gave refuge to Tekle Haymanot, one of the candidates nominated for Emperor who had fled Gondar following clashes with a rival faction led by Ras Ali I. As such in 1789 there were five puppet nominees for Emperor in Abyssinia (Atse Baeda Maryam, Ba'ala Segad, Iyasu III, Tekle Giyorgis I and Tekle Haymanot) each backed by powerful rival lords.{{cite book |last=Budge |first=Ernest Alfred Thompson Wallis |author-link=E. A. Wallis Budge |date=1966 |title=A history of Ethiopia, Nubia & Abyssinia. According to the hieroglyphic inscriptions of Egypt and Nubia, and the Ethiopian chronicles |url=https://archive.org/details/historyofethiopi0000budg/page/478/mode/2up?q=gabriel |url-access=registration |location=London, Oosterhout |publisher=Methuen (1928), N.B. Anthropological Publications (1966) |pages=478–480 |isbn=}}

In September 1793, Emperor Hezqeyas distinguished Gebre Tasfa's rank and title from dejazmach to Ras, with the peculair side note, that this promotion occurred in the absence of the nominee, who was in his native Semien. Emperor Hezqeyas like his contemporary Gondarine rulers during the Zemene Mesafint were uneasy with their dependent positions on powerful lords, and as counterbalance sought support from other lords such as Gebre.{{cite book |editor-last1=Uhlig |editor-first1=Siegbert |editor-last2=Bausi |editor-first2=Alessandro |editor-last3=Yimam |editor-first3=Baye |date=2003 |title=Encyclopaedia Aethiopica: D-Ha |publisher=Harrassowitz |location=Wiesbaden |pages=631–632 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oFhyAAAAMAAJ |access-date= |isbn=9783447052382 |issn= |oclc= }}

For the third time Tekle Giyorgis I was deposed as Emperor; on that occasion by Baeda Maryam II son of puppet Emperor Salomon II (r.1777-1779). Baeda Maryam II secured the support of Dejazmach Walda Gabre’el of Lasta, and took Gondar while Emperor Tekle Giyorgis I was in Sawre{{refn|group=note|Sawre is near Jan Amora in Semien Province.{{cite book |last1=Briggs |first1=Phillip |author-link1= |last2=Wildman |first2=Kim |author-link2= |date=2012 |title=Ethiopia |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DbBm2WpVwUkC&dq=sawre+ethiopia&pg=PA233 |location=Chalfont St. Peter |publisher=Bradt Travel Guides |page=233 |isbn=9781841624143}} }} on a campaign north of the capital. Baeda Maryam II was enthroned Emperor on 18 May 1795. Walda Gabre'el of Lasta was elevated to Ras Bitwoded (highest ranked Ras).{{cite journal |last1=HECHT |first1=ELISABETH-DOROTHEA |date=1969 |title=A Note to the List of Emperors of Ethiopia Bä'edä-Maryam II (1795-1826) |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/41965777 |journal=Journal of Ethiopian Studies |volume=7 |issue=1 |pages=19–20 |publisher=Institute of Ethiopian Studies |doi= |jstor=41965777 |access-date=}}{{cite book |last=Weld-Blundell |first=Herbert Joseph |author-link=Herbert Weld Blundell |date=1922 |title=The Royal Chronicle of Abbysinia, 1769-1840; |url=https://archive.org/details/royalchronicleof00welduoft/page/433/mode/2up |location= |publisher=Cambridge University Press |pages=433–437 |isbn=}}

Baeda Maryam II immediately set out to wage war against Ras Gebre, Tekle Giyorgis I supporter and father-in-law. Ras Gebre defeated Baeda Maryam II and Walda Gabre’el's armies in the Battle of Mount Mosabit near Sawada.

Another supporter of Emperor Baeda Maryam II turned up in the person of Ras Wolde Selassie of Tigray. Ras Gebre and his main army was still encamped in Sawada, when he received the news that Semien has been invaded by the Tigrayans, and laid waste to Segonet, Bagele, Hay and Tassan.

Ras Gebre and Ras Wolde Selassie eventually reconciled, with the latter visiting Inchetkaub the capital of Semien, and presented Ras Gebre with gifts in Emperor Tekle Giyorgis I presence. Baeda Maryam II with no powerful lords behind him aside from Walda Gabre’el of Lasta (who lost against Hailu Wand Bewossen of Lasta) was eventually sidelined. Tekle Giyorgis I regained the throne for the fourth time in December 1795.

In 1803, Abba Yosef the Abuna died, and Ras Gugsa of Yejju did the disgraceful act of pillaging the late patriarch's house and carried off with gold and valuables to the amount of five hundred wakeas{{refn|group=note|Wakeas is also spelled as Waqet in various sources. A Wakeas was a unit of measurement and was often coin based, primarily for gold. Though of relative precision, there were variations of weight, One waqet of gold was weighted between 27 and 35 gram depending on location and era. After the introduction of Maria Theresa thaler, a waqet was weighted at 28.3 gram, equivalent to an ounce.{{cite journal |last1= Pankhurst|first1= Richard|date=1970 |title=A Preliminary History of Ethiopian Measures, Weights and Values - (Part 3) |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/41965801 |url-access=registration |journal=Journal of Ethiopian Studies |volume=8 |issue=1 |pages=59–60 |publisher=Institute of Ethiopian Studies|doi= |jstor= 41965801|access-date=}} }} of gold, pretending they were church property and not the personal possessions of the dead ecclesiastic. Ras Gugsa was forced to disgorge the stolen valuables after Ras Wolde Selassie and Ras Gebre threatened to wage war for which Gugsa was unprepared.{{cite book |last=Salt |first=Henry |author-link=Henry Salt (Egyptologist) |date=1809 |title=Voyages and travels to India, Ceylon, the Red Sea, Abyssinia, and Egypt, in the years 1802, 1803, 1804, 1805, and 1806 |url=https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/bibliography/102857 |location=London |publisher=Printed for William Miller, Albemarle-Street, by W. Bulmer and Co., Cleveland-Row, St. James's |volume=3 |pages=42–43 |isbn= |oclc=15027465 }}

Gugsa's pride, however, had received too severe a mortification to acquiesce what had taken place. He made preparations to wage wars against those who had humiliated him, and forged an alliance with Siban, son of Kollase of Michaelis, who was at the head of the Yejju Oromos. This united force was reported to be able to bring into the field thirty thousand cavalry, besides double that number of spearmen.

Gugsa's allied forces commenced its operations by an attack upon Ras Gebre, in his province of Semien. At the time of Henry Salt's writing, Ras Gebre was besieged in his mountain fortress Geshen-hai. Ras Gebre was said to have one thousand matchlocks in his army, with which he held out against Gugsa's coalition forces.

According to contemporary traveller Henry Salt writings, his colleague and erstwhile fugitive Nathaniel Pearce sought sanctuary in Semien. The evening of 15 October 1807 brought him to Segonet, one of the principal towns in Semien, where he was received with attention by the governor Wolde Eyob, to whom he communicated his story, and in consequence Wolde Eyob after two days gave Pearce a letter of introduction to his brother Gebre, Ras of Semien.{{refn|group=note|Gebre is spelled in its cognate equivalent Gabriel in Henry Salt's writings.}}, and sent a guide to help him on his way to Inchetkaub.

On the 18th of October 1807 Pearce and his travel companions reached Inchetkaub, where they sat down, according to custom, at the gate of Ras Gebre's mansion, and in less than an hour servants came and led the travellers to a hut, where they were provided with bread, meat and beverage.

Pearce was granted audience by Ras Gebre on the 19th of October 1807. When he entered the mansion the Ras was seated on his couch, surrounded by priests; A description of Ras Gebre by Pearce was as following;

: a tall fine-looking man, about forty years of age{{refn|group=note|Exact age couldn't be determined. However, given the longevity of his reign as governor, he was likely well over fifty years of age during his meeting with Pearce in 1807.}}, of a dark complexion, having a Roman nose, open features, and a remarkably strong expression in his eye.

Pearce told his whole story to Ras Gebre, stating his causes of complaint against Ras Wolde Selassie whose behaviour made the Englishmen to flee Tigray, and declared his wish to proceed to Gondar, and to enter into the service of Zewde{{refn|group=note|Spelled as Zoldi in the source.}} of Gojjam, or some other chiefs in Amhara.

On 21 October 1807 Pearce was admitted to a second audience, and found Ras Gebre's again encircled by priests. Pearce took note of Ras Gebre's piety, who was well versed in the scriptures.

Pearce recuperated in Inchetkaub for some time after a medical condition in his eyes took a turn for the worst. In December 1807, the medical disorder abated. Ras Gebre persuaded Pearce to return to Antalo, as Ras Gebre sought to mediate the quarrel between Pearce and Ras Wolde Selassie. Pearce took leave of Ras Gebre, for whom he entertained a great respect, and in return, the Ras, who enjoyed Pearce's company presented the Englishmen with some parting gifts, a mule, a quantity of powder and ball, and five wakeas of gold, and sent him with one of his confidential messengers, to speak in Pearce's favour to Ras Wolde Selassie.

On May 5, 1815, Ras Gebre death reached across regions and the date was documented in the journal of traveller Nathaniel Pearce; who wrote that Ras Gebre's death appeared much grieved.{{cite book |last=Pearce |first=Nathaniel |author-link=Nathaniel Pearce |date=2014 |title=The Life and Adventures of Nathaniel Pearce: Written by Himself, during a Residence in Abyssinia from the Years 1810–1819; Together with Mr Coffin's Account of his First Visit to Gondar |volume=2 |url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/life-and-adventures-of-nathaniel-pearce/B588D019F69C57EF7089B9FDF1F3B032 |location=Cambridge |publisher=Cambridge University Press |chapter=XII |page=46 |isbn=9781107450585}}

He was succeeded by his son Haile Maryam Gebre in 1815.{{cite book |last=Mordechai |first=Abir |date=1968 |title=Ethiopia: the Era of the Princes: The Challenge of Islam and Re-unification of the Christian Empire, 1769-1855 |publisher=Longmans, Green |location=London |page=32 |url=https://archive.org/details/ethiopiaeraofpri0000abir/page/32/mode/2up?q=gebru |url-access=registration |access-date= |isbn=9780582645172|issn= |oclc=729977710}}

Gebre is mentioned in his great-granddaughter's chronicle; Empress Taytu Betul, the spouse of Emperor Menelik II. The chronicler ensures Taytu's posterity will known that she descended from Susenyos (thus of Solomonic heritage) through Gebre's Semien line. The chronicle describes the longevity of his reign (of 44 years), the relative prosperity of Semien by making the shankella (a term for Sudanic tribes near the Ethiopian borderlands in the lowland areas) pay in gold, and Gebre's generosity towards his subjects.

Gebre kept more than sixty women.{{cite book |last=Pearce |first=Nathaniel |author-link=Nathaniel Pearce |date=2014 |title=The Life and Adventures of Nathaniel Pearce: Written by Himself, during a Residence in Abyssinia from the Years 1810–1819; Together with Mr Coffin's Account of his First Visit to Gondar |volume=1 |url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/life-and-adventures-of-nathaniel-pearce/D8A48F200168B6D87BE46D686F606BF2 |location=Cambridge |publisher=Cambridge University Press |chapter=VI |page=215 |isbn=9781107450516 |oclc=}} However, his official wife was Woizero Sahlitu Kefle Iyesus{{refn|group=note|Also spelled as Sahlitu Kifle Yesus}}. Sahlitu herself had Solomonic Amhara ancestry with her genealogy tracing back to 16th century monarch Dawit II, through his daughter Sabana Giyorgis, the wife of Ras Bitwoded Yona’el of Amhara.{{cite journal |last=Haile |first=Getatchew |title=Empress Tayitu and the Ethiopian Property in Jerusalem |author-link=Getatchew Haile |date=1989 |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/40733021 |journal=Paideuma: Mitteilungen zur Kulturkunde |volume=35 |issue= |page=76 |doi= |jstor=40733021 |access-date=}}

● Haile Maryam Gebre was his son and successor.

● Batri Gebre was another son.

● Teshen Gebre was his daughter, wife of Emperor Tekle Giyorgis I.

● Wube Haile Maryam was his famous grandson.

● Merso Haile Maryam was his grandson.

● Betul Haile Maryam was his grandson.

● Yewub-dar Haile Maryam was his granddaughter.

● Taytu Betul was his great-granddaughter.

● Dagnew Wolde Selassie was the great, great-grandson of Wube Haile Maryam. A former Ethiopian Ambassador to Yemen, and former governor of Begemder.{{cite journal |last=Kendie |first=Daniel |date=1994 |title=Which Way the Horn of Africa: Disintegration or Confederation? |url=https://escholarship.org/content/qt0n81d41t/qt0n81d41t.pdf?t=mnipbo |journal=Northeast African Studies |series=New Series |volume=1 |issue=1 |pages=146 |publisher=Michigan State University Press |jstor=41932039 |doi= 10.1353/nas.1994.0002|s2cid=54200601 |access-date=}}

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Category:18th-century Ethiopian people

Category:19th-century Ethiopian people

Category:Warlords of the Zemene Mesafint