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

be wife for wealthy, status, security band protection for herself or her family. Political marriage is also
1
Addis Ababa University, History Department, Author can be reached at Email: mebrategergiso@gmail.com

0
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 background 3.

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),
5
Marsie 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

2
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 programmes 9. 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 10 are a research’s done by Ethiopian elites, whom Heran preceded by six and succeeded

by three Ethiopian elites10.

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.
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

3
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 lineage 12.

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 19 th 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.

11
Cuo-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.

4
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 studies 15. In doing those articles he

successfully covered a period from 15 th-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 marriage 18. 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

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,

5
through their child’s20. 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 Gonder 22. 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 Ethiopia 24

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
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.
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.

25
Biratu 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 Gurage 29” ,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 other 36. Some of this are the love, and others
are a means to end the dispute 37 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).
33
Trimingham 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.
39
Cedric 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

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

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 marriage 51, 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 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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Alame Eshete, “Political Marriage and Divorce, in Ethiopian history (late of 19 th Century and early of
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Hadara Tesfaye, “Ras Seyoum Mangesha, (1887-1960)”, B.A Thesis, AAU, History, 1976
Kebede Kejela, “A Biography of Dejazmach Habtemariam Gabre Eghzabher” B.A Thesis, AAU,
History, 1989
Teshome Agiro, ‘Ras Abbaba Aregay, 1904-1960”, History, AAU, 1976.
Tsegaye Namara, Power consolidation over the conquered territories: The case of Wallega, B.A
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Wakane Frew, ‘The Family of Ras Darge and the Church in Selale 1870-1941”, History, HSIU, 1973.

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11
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Kabade Tasama, Yee Tarikh Mastawesha, Mankusha press, 2007;
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Mahatama Sellassie Walde Meskel (Blata geta), Hilqe Tiwild: yee Sahle Selassie, (IES, HSIU,
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12
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13