Ethiopian aristocratic and court titles
Encyclopedia
Until the end of the monarchy
in 1974, there were two categories of nobility in Ethiopia
: the Mesafint (Ge'ez
መሳፍንት , modern , singular መስፍን , modern , "prince") or princes, hereditary nobles, formed the upper echelon of the ruling class; while the Mekwanint were the appointed nobles, often of humble birth, who formed the bulk of the nobility. Until the 20th century, the most powerful people at court were generally Mekwanint appointed by the monarch, while regionally the Mesafint enjoyed greater influence and power. Emperor Haile Selassie greatly curtailed the power of the Mesafint to the benefit of the Mekwanint.
Ethiopian Empire
The Ethiopian Empire also known as Abyssinia, covered a geographical area that the present-day northern half of Ethiopia and Eritrea covers, and included in its peripheries Zeila, Djibouti, Yemen and Western Saudi Arabia...
in 1974, there were two categories of nobility in Ethiopia
Ethiopia
Ethiopia , officially known as the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. It is the second-most populous nation in Africa, with over 82 million inhabitants, and the tenth-largest by area, occupying 1,100,000 km2...
: the Mesafint (Ge'ez
Ge'ez alphabet
Ge'ez , also called Ethiopic, is a script used as an abugida for several languages of Ethiopia and Eritrea but originated in an abjad used to write Ge'ez, now the liturgical language of the Ethiopian and Eritrean Orthodox Church...
መሳፍንት , modern , singular መስፍን , modern , "prince") or princes, hereditary nobles, formed the upper echelon of the ruling class; while the Mekwanint were the appointed nobles, often of humble birth, who formed the bulk of the nobility. Until the 20th century, the most powerful people at court were generally Mekwanint appointed by the monarch, while regionally the Mesafint enjoyed greater influence and power. Emperor Haile Selassie greatly curtailed the power of the Mesafint to the benefit of the Mekwanint.
Men's honorifics
- ("King of kingsKing of KingsKing of Kings is a title that has been used by several monarchies and empires throughout history. The title originates in the Ancient Near East. It is broadly the equivalent of the later title Emperor....
") -- Emperor of EthiopiaEmperor of EthiopiaThe Emperor of Ethiopia was the hereditary ruler of Ethiopia until the abolition of the monarchy in 1974. The Emperor was the head of state and head of government, with ultimate executive, judicial and legislative power in that country...
. Although several kings of Aksum used this style, until the restoration of the Solomonic dynastySolomonic dynastyThe Solomonic dynasty is the Imperial House of Abyssinia. Its members claim lineal descent from King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba, the latter of whom tradition asserts gave birth to the first King Menelik I after her Biblically described visit to Solomon in Jerusalem .-Overview:The dynasty, a...
under Yekuno AmlakYekuno Amlak of EthiopiaEmperor Yekuno Amlak was of Ethiopia and founder of the Solomonic dynasty. He traced his ancestry through his father, Tasfa Iyasus, to Dil Na'od, the last King of Axum.-Rise to power:...
, rulers of Ethiopia generally used the style of Negus, although "King of Kings" was used as far back as Ezana. The full title of the Emperor of Ethiopia included the terms Atse (Emperor), Neguse Negest (King of kings), and Seyoume Igziabeher (Elect of God). The title of Moa Anbessa Ze Imnegede Yehuda (Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah) always preceded the titles of the Emperor. It was not a personal title, but rather referred to the title of Christ, and placed the office of the Christ ahead of the Emperor's name in an act of Imperial submission. Until Yohannes IV the Emperor was also Neguse Tsion (King of Zion). The Emperor was entitled to the dignities of Girmawi (His/Your Imperial Majesty), and Janhoy (Sire), Atse (Emperor when referred to in the third person) and in his own household and family as Getochu (our Master in the plural). - NegusNegusNegus is a title in Ge'ez, Tigrinya, Tigre and Amharic, used for a king and at times also a vassal ruler in pre-1974 Ethiopia and pre-1890 Eritrea. It is subsequently used to translate the word "king" in Biblical and other literature...
("king") -- This word was often used as part of the title to denote any important official. The title of Negus was awarded at the discretion of the Emperor to the Rases who ruled important provinces. The rulers of GondarGondarGondar or Gonder is a city in Ethiopia, which was once the old imperial capital and capital of the historic Begemder Province. As a result, the old province of Begemder is sometimes referred to as Gondar...
, ShewaShewaShewa is a historical region of Ethiopia, formerly an autonomous kingdom within the Ethiopian Empire...
, GojjamGojjamGojjam was a kingdom in the north-western part of Ethiopia, with its capital city at Debre Marqos. This region is distinctive for lying entirely within the bend of the Abbay River from its outflow from Lake Tana to the Sudan...
, WolloWolloWollo was a historical region and province in the northeastern part of Ethiopia, with its capital city at Dessie. The province was named after the Wollo Oromo, who settled in this part of Ethiopia in the 17th century...
, have all held the title of Negus at some point. The title of Negus of Tsion (Zion), usually held by the Emperor, gave hegemony over much of the north of the Empire and was seated at AxumAxumAxum or Aksum is a city in northern Ethiopia which was the original capital of the eponymous kingdom of Axum. Population 56,500 . Axum was a naval and trading power that ruled the region from ca. 400 BC into the 10th century...
. The title was last used by Emperor Yohannes IV. It was awarded to Negus MikaelMikael of WolloMikael of Wollo , born Mohammed Ali, was an army commander and a member of the nobility of the Ethiopian Empire. He was the father of the "uncrowned" Emperor Iyasu V. He changed his name to Mikael upon converting to Christianity.- Life :Mohammed Ali, an Oromo, was born in Wollo...
, father of Iyasu V, but changed to Negus of Wollo in consideration of the feelings of many princes in northern Ethiopia, then after his son Lij Iyasu's deposition the title went to Tafari Makonnen, who later became Emperor Haile Selassie. He would be the last person to bear the title of Negus. - Leul
Until the end of the monarchyEthiopian EmpireThe Ethiopian Empire also known as Abyssinia, covered a geographical area that the present-day northern half of Ethiopia and Eritrea covers, and included in its peripheries Zeila, Djibouti, Yemen and Western Saudi Arabia...
in 1974, there were two categories of nobility in EthiopiaEthiopiaEthiopia , officially known as the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. It is the second-most populous nation in Africa, with over 82 million inhabitants, and the tenth-largest by area, occupying 1,100,000 km2...
: the Mesafint (Ge'ezGe'ez alphabetGe'ez , also called Ethiopic, is a script used as an abugida for several languages of Ethiopia and Eritrea but originated in an abjad used to write Ge'ez, now the liturgical language of the Ethiopian and Eritrean Orthodox Church...
መሳፍንት , modern , singular መስፍን , modern , "prince") or princes, hereditary nobles, formed the upper echelon of the ruling class; while the Mekwanint were the appointed nobles, often of humble birth, who formed the bulk of the nobility. Until the 20th century, the most powerful people at court were generally Mekwanint appointed by the monarch, while regionally the Mesafint enjoyed greater influence and power. Emperor Haile Selassie greatly curtailed the power of the Mesafint to the benefit of the Mekwanint.
Men's honorifics
- ("King of kingsKing of KingsKing of Kings is a title that has been used by several monarchies and empires throughout history. The title originates in the Ancient Near East. It is broadly the equivalent of the later title Emperor....
") -- Emperor of EthiopiaEmperor of EthiopiaThe Emperor of Ethiopia was the hereditary ruler of Ethiopia until the abolition of the monarchy in 1974. The Emperor was the head of state and head of government, with ultimate executive, judicial and legislative power in that country...
. Although several kings of Aksum used this style, until the restoration of the Solomonic dynastySolomonic dynastyThe Solomonic dynasty is the Imperial House of Abyssinia. Its members claim lineal descent from King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba, the latter of whom tradition asserts gave birth to the first King Menelik I after her Biblically described visit to Solomon in Jerusalem .-Overview:The dynasty, a...
under Yekuno AmlakYekuno Amlak of EthiopiaEmperor Yekuno Amlak was of Ethiopia and founder of the Solomonic dynasty. He traced his ancestry through his father, Tasfa Iyasus, to Dil Na'od, the last King of Axum.-Rise to power:...
, rulers of Ethiopia generally used the style of Negus, although "King of Kings" was used as far back as Ezana. The full title of the Emperor of Ethiopia included the terms Atse (Emperor), Neguse Negest (King of kings), and Seyoume Igziabeher (Elect of God). The title of Moa Anbessa Ze Imnegede Yehuda (Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah) always preceded the titles of the Emperor. It was not a personal title, but rather referred to the title of Christ, and placed the office of the Christ ahead of the Emperor's name in an act of Imperial submission. Until Yohannes IV the Emperor was also Neguse Tsion (King of Zion). The Emperor was entitled to the dignities of Girmawi (His/Your Imperial Majesty), and Janhoy (Sire), Atse (Emperor when referred to in the third person) and in his own household and family as Getochu (our Master in the plural). - NegusNegusNegus is a title in Ge'ez, Tigrinya, Tigre and Amharic, used for a king and at times also a vassal ruler in pre-1974 Ethiopia and pre-1890 Eritrea. It is subsequently used to translate the word "king" in Biblical and other literature...
("king") -- This word was often used as part of the title to denote any important official. The title of Negus was awarded at the discretion of the Emperor to the Rases who ruled important provinces. The rulers of GondarGondarGondar or Gonder is a city in Ethiopia, which was once the old imperial capital and capital of the historic Begemder Province. As a result, the old province of Begemder is sometimes referred to as Gondar...
, ShewaShewaShewa is a historical region of Ethiopia, formerly an autonomous kingdom within the Ethiopian Empire...
, GojjamGojjamGojjam was a kingdom in the north-western part of Ethiopia, with its capital city at Debre Marqos. This region is distinctive for lying entirely within the bend of the Abbay River from its outflow from Lake Tana to the Sudan...
, WolloWolloWollo was a historical region and province in the northeastern part of Ethiopia, with its capital city at Dessie. The province was named after the Wollo Oromo, who settled in this part of Ethiopia in the 17th century...
, have all held the title of Negus at some point. The title of Negus of Tsion (Zion), usually held by the Emperor, gave hegemony over much of the north of the Empire and was seated at AxumAxumAxum or Aksum is a city in northern Ethiopia which was the original capital of the eponymous kingdom of Axum. Population 56,500 . Axum was a naval and trading power that ruled the region from ca. 400 BC into the 10th century...
. The title was last used by Emperor Yohannes IV. It was awarded to Negus MikaelMikael of WolloMikael of Wollo , born Mohammed Ali, was an army commander and a member of the nobility of the Ethiopian Empire. He was the father of the "uncrowned" Emperor Iyasu V. He changed his name to Mikael upon converting to Christianity.- Life :Mohammed Ali, an Oromo, was born in Wollo...
, father of Iyasu V, but changed to Negus of Wollo in consideration of the feelings of many princes in northern Ethiopia, then after his son Lij Iyasu's deposition the title went to Tafari Makonnen, who later became Emperor Haile Selassie. He would be the last person to bear the title of Negus. - Leul
Until the end of the monarchyEthiopian EmpireThe Ethiopian Empire also known as Abyssinia, covered a geographical area that the present-day northern half of Ethiopia and Eritrea covers, and included in its peripheries Zeila, Djibouti, Yemen and Western Saudi Arabia...
in 1974, there were two categories of nobility in EthiopiaEthiopiaEthiopia , officially known as the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. It is the second-most populous nation in Africa, with over 82 million inhabitants, and the tenth-largest by area, occupying 1,100,000 km2...
: the Mesafint (Ge'ezGe'ez alphabetGe'ez , also called Ethiopic, is a script used as an abugida for several languages of Ethiopia and Eritrea but originated in an abjad used to write Ge'ez, now the liturgical language of the Ethiopian and Eritrean Orthodox Church...
መሳፍንት , modern , singular መስፍን , modern , "prince") or princes, hereditary nobles, formed the upper echelon of the ruling class; while the Mekwanint were the appointed nobles, often of humble birth, who formed the bulk of the nobility. Until the 20th century, the most powerful people at court were generally Mekwanint appointed by the monarch, while regionally the Mesafint enjoyed greater influence and power. Emperor Haile Selassie greatly curtailed the power of the Mesafint to the benefit of the Mekwanint.
Men's honorifics
- ("King of kingsKing of KingsKing of Kings is a title that has been used by several monarchies and empires throughout history. The title originates in the Ancient Near East. It is broadly the equivalent of the later title Emperor....
") -- Emperor of EthiopiaEmperor of EthiopiaThe Emperor of Ethiopia was the hereditary ruler of Ethiopia until the abolition of the monarchy in 1974. The Emperor was the head of state and head of government, with ultimate executive, judicial and legislative power in that country...
. Although several kings of Aksum used this style, until the restoration of the Solomonic dynastySolomonic dynastyThe Solomonic dynasty is the Imperial House of Abyssinia. Its members claim lineal descent from King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba, the latter of whom tradition asserts gave birth to the first King Menelik I after her Biblically described visit to Solomon in Jerusalem .-Overview:The dynasty, a...
under Yekuno AmlakYekuno Amlak of EthiopiaEmperor Yekuno Amlak was of Ethiopia and founder of the Solomonic dynasty. He traced his ancestry through his father, Tasfa Iyasus, to Dil Na'od, the last King of Axum.-Rise to power:...
, rulers of Ethiopia generally used the style of Negus, although "King of Kings" was used as far back as Ezana. The full title of the Emperor of Ethiopia included the terms Atse (Emperor), Neguse Negest (King of kings), and Seyoume Igziabeher (Elect of God). The title of Moa Anbessa Ze Imnegede Yehuda (Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah) always preceded the titles of the Emperor. It was not a personal title, but rather referred to the title of Christ, and placed the office of the Christ ahead of the Emperor's name in an act of Imperial submission. Until Yohannes IV the Emperor was also Neguse Tsion (King of Zion). The Emperor was entitled to the dignities of Girmawi (His/Your Imperial Majesty), and Janhoy (Sire), Atse (Emperor when referred to in the third person) and in his own household and family as Getochu (our Master in the plural). - NegusNegusNegus is a title in Ge'ez, Tigrinya, Tigre and Amharic, used for a king and at times also a vassal ruler in pre-1974 Ethiopia and pre-1890 Eritrea. It is subsequently used to translate the word "king" in Biblical and other literature...
("king") -- This word was often used as part of the title to denote any important official. The title of Negus was awarded at the discretion of the Emperor to the Rases who ruled important provinces. The rulers of GondarGondarGondar or Gonder is a city in Ethiopia, which was once the old imperial capital and capital of the historic Begemder Province. As a result, the old province of Begemder is sometimes referred to as Gondar...
, ShewaShewaShewa is a historical region of Ethiopia, formerly an autonomous kingdom within the Ethiopian Empire...
, GojjamGojjamGojjam was a kingdom in the north-western part of Ethiopia, with its capital city at Debre Marqos. This region is distinctive for lying entirely within the bend of the Abbay River from its outflow from Lake Tana to the Sudan...
, WolloWolloWollo was a historical region and province in the northeastern part of Ethiopia, with its capital city at Dessie. The province was named after the Wollo Oromo, who settled in this part of Ethiopia in the 17th century...
, have all held the title of Negus at some point. The title of Negus of Tsion (Zion), usually held by the Emperor, gave hegemony over much of the north of the Empire and was seated at AxumAxumAxum or Aksum is a city in northern Ethiopia which was the original capital of the eponymous kingdom of Axum. Population 56,500 . Axum was a naval and trading power that ruled the region from ca. 400 BC into the 10th century...
. The title was last used by Emperor Yohannes IV. It was awarded to Negus MikaelMikael of WolloMikael of Wollo , born Mohammed Ali, was an army commander and a member of the nobility of the Ethiopian Empire. He was the father of the "uncrowned" Emperor Iyasu V. He changed his name to Mikael upon converting to Christianity.- Life :Mohammed Ali, an Oromo, was born in Wollo...
, father of Iyasu V, but changed to Negus of Wollo in consideration of the feelings of many princes in northern Ethiopia, then after his son Lij Iyasu's deposition the title went to Tafari Makonnen, who later became Emperor Haile Selassie. He would be the last person to bear the title of Negus. - Leul
Until the end of the monarchyEthiopian EmpireThe Ethiopian Empire also known as Abyssinia, covered a geographical area that the present-day northern half of Ethiopia and Eritrea covers, and included in its peripheries Zeila, Djibouti, Yemen and Western Saudi Arabia...
in 1974, there were two categories of nobility in EthiopiaEthiopiaEthiopia , officially known as the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. It is the second-most populous nation in Africa, with over 82 million inhabitants, and the tenth-largest by area, occupying 1,100,000 km2...
: the Mesafint (Ge'ezGe'ez alphabetGe'ez , also called Ethiopic, is a script used as an abugida for several languages of Ethiopia and Eritrea but originated in an abjad used to write Ge'ez, now the liturgical language of the Ethiopian and Eritrean Orthodox Church...
መሳፍንት , modern , singular መስፍን , modern , "prince") or princes, hereditary nobles, formed the upper echelon of the ruling class; while the Mekwanint were the appointed nobles, often of humble birth, who formed the bulk of the nobility. Until the 20th century, the most powerful people at court were generally Mekwanint appointed by the monarch, while regionally the Mesafint enjoyed greater influence and power. Emperor Haile Selassie greatly curtailed the power of the Mesafint to the benefit of the Mekwanint.
Men's honorifics
- ("King of kingsKing of KingsKing of Kings is a title that has been used by several monarchies and empires throughout history. The title originates in the Ancient Near East. It is broadly the equivalent of the later title Emperor....
") -- Emperor of EthiopiaEmperor of EthiopiaThe Emperor of Ethiopia was the hereditary ruler of Ethiopia until the abolition of the monarchy in 1974. The Emperor was the head of state and head of government, with ultimate executive, judicial and legislative power in that country...
. Although several kings of Aksum used this style, until the restoration of the Solomonic dynastySolomonic dynastyThe Solomonic dynasty is the Imperial House of Abyssinia. Its members claim lineal descent from King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba, the latter of whom tradition asserts gave birth to the first King Menelik I after her Biblically described visit to Solomon in Jerusalem .-Overview:The dynasty, a...
under Yekuno AmlakYekuno Amlak of EthiopiaEmperor Yekuno Amlak was of Ethiopia and founder of the Solomonic dynasty. He traced his ancestry through his father, Tasfa Iyasus, to Dil Na'od, the last King of Axum.-Rise to power:...
, rulers of Ethiopia generally used the style of Negus, although "King of Kings" was used as far back as Ezana. The full title of the Emperor of Ethiopia included the terms Atse (Emperor), Neguse Negest (King of kings), and Seyoume Igziabeher (Elect of God). The title of Moa Anbessa Ze Imnegede Yehuda (Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah) always preceded the titles of the Emperor. It was not a personal title, but rather referred to the title of Christ, and placed the office of the Christ ahead of the Emperor's name in an act of Imperial submission. Until Yohannes IV the Emperor was also Neguse Tsion (King of Zion). The Emperor was entitled to the dignities of Girmawi (His/Your Imperial Majesty), and Janhoy (Sire), Atse (Emperor when referred to in the third person) and in his own household and family as Getochu (our Master in the plural). - NegusNegusNegus is a title in Ge'ez, Tigrinya, Tigre and Amharic, used for a king and at times also a vassal ruler in pre-1974 Ethiopia and pre-1890 Eritrea. It is subsequently used to translate the word "king" in Biblical and other literature...
("king") -- This word was often used as part of the title to denote any important official. The title of Negus was awarded at the discretion of the Emperor to the Rases who ruled important provinces. The rulers of GondarGondarGondar or Gonder is a city in Ethiopia, which was once the old imperial capital and capital of the historic Begemder Province. As a result, the old province of Begemder is sometimes referred to as Gondar...
, ShewaShewaShewa is a historical region of Ethiopia, formerly an autonomous kingdom within the Ethiopian Empire...
, GojjamGojjamGojjam was a kingdom in the north-western part of Ethiopia, with its capital city at Debre Marqos. This region is distinctive for lying entirely within the bend of the Abbay River from its outflow from Lake Tana to the Sudan...
, WolloWolloWollo was a historical region and province in the northeastern part of Ethiopia, with its capital city at Dessie. The province was named after the Wollo Oromo, who settled in this part of Ethiopia in the 17th century...
, have all held the title of Negus at some point. The title of Negus of Tsion (Zion), usually held by the Emperor, gave hegemony over much of the north of the Empire and was seated at AxumAxumAxum or Aksum is a city in northern Ethiopia which was the original capital of the eponymous kingdom of Axum. Population 56,500 . Axum was a naval and trading power that ruled the region from ca. 400 BC into the 10th century...
. The title was last used by Emperor Yohannes IV. It was awarded to Negus MikaelMikael of WolloMikael of Wollo , born Mohammed Ali, was an army commander and a member of the nobility of the Ethiopian Empire. He was the father of the "uncrowned" Emperor Iyasu V. He changed his name to Mikael upon converting to Christianity.- Life :Mohammed Ali, an Oromo, was born in Wollo...
, father of Iyasu V, but changed to Negus of Wollo in consideration of the feelings of many princes in northern Ethiopia, then after his son Lij Iyasu's deposition the title went to Tafari Makonnen, who later became Emperor Haile Selassie. He would be the last person to bear the title of Negus. - Leul
Until the end of the monarchyEthiopian EmpireThe Ethiopian Empire also known as Abyssinia, covered a geographical area that the present-day northern half of Ethiopia and Eritrea covers, and included in its peripheries Zeila, Djibouti, Yemen and Western Saudi Arabia...
in 1974, there were two categories of nobility in EthiopiaEthiopiaEthiopia , officially known as the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. It is the second-most populous nation in Africa, with over 82 million inhabitants, and the tenth-largest by area, occupying 1,100,000 km2...
: the Mesafint (Ge'ezGe'ez alphabetGe'ez , also called Ethiopic, is a script used as an abugida for several languages of Ethiopia and Eritrea but originated in an abjad used to write Ge'ez, now the liturgical language of the Ethiopian and Eritrean Orthodox Church...
መሳፍንት , modern , singular መስፍን , modern , "prince") or princes, hereditary nobles, formed the upper echelon of the ruling class; while the Mekwanint (, modern or መኮንን , "governor") were the appointed nobles, often of humble birth, who formed the bulk of the nobility. Until the 20th century, the most powerful people at court were generally Mekwanint appointed by the monarch, while regionally the Mesafint enjoyed greater influence and power. Emperor Haile Selassie greatly curtailed the power of the Mesafint to the benefit of the Mekwanint.
Men's honorifics
- ("King of kingsKing of KingsKing of Kings is a title that has been used by several monarchies and empires throughout history. The title originates in the Ancient Near East. It is broadly the equivalent of the later title Emperor....
") -- Emperor of EthiopiaEmperor of EthiopiaThe Emperor of Ethiopia was the hereditary ruler of Ethiopia until the abolition of the monarchy in 1974. The Emperor was the head of state and head of government, with ultimate executive, judicial and legislative power in that country...
. Although several kings of Aksum used this style, until the restoration of the Solomonic dynastySolomonic dynastyThe Solomonic dynasty is the Imperial House of Abyssinia. Its members claim lineal descent from King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba, the latter of whom tradition asserts gave birth to the first King Menelik I after her Biblically described visit to Solomon in Jerusalem .-Overview:The dynasty, a...
under Yekuno AmlakYekuno Amlak of EthiopiaEmperor Yekuno Amlak was of Ethiopia and founder of the Solomonic dynasty. He traced his ancestry through his father, Tasfa Iyasus, to Dil Na'od, the last King of Axum.-Rise to power:...
, rulers of Ethiopia generally used the style of Negus, although "King of Kings" was used as far back as Ezana. The full title of the Emperor of Ethiopia included the terms Atse (Emperor), Neguse Negest (King of kings), and Seyoume Igziabeher (Elect of God). The title of Moa Anbessa Ze Imnegede Yehuda (Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah) always preceded the titles of the Emperor. It was not a personal title, but rather referred to the title of Christ, and placed the office of the Christ ahead of the Emperor's name in an act of Imperial submission. Until Yohannes IV the Emperor was also Neguse Tsion (King of Zion). The Emperor was entitled to the dignities of Girmawi (His/Your Imperial Majesty), and Janhoy (Sire), Atse (Emperor when referred to in the third person) and in his own household and family as Getochu (our Master in the plural). - NegusNegusNegus is a title in Ge'ez, Tigrinya, Tigre and Amharic, used for a king and at times also a vassal ruler in pre-1974 Ethiopia and pre-1890 Eritrea. It is subsequently used to translate the word "king" in Biblical and other literature...
("king") -- This word was often used as part of the title to denote any important official. The title of Negus was awarded at the discretion of the Emperor to the Rases who ruled important provinces. The rulers of GondarGondarGondar or Gonder is a city in Ethiopia, which was once the old imperial capital and capital of the historic Begemder Province. As a result, the old province of Begemder is sometimes referred to as Gondar...
, ShewaShewaShewa is a historical region of Ethiopia, formerly an autonomous kingdom within the Ethiopian Empire...
, GojjamGojjamGojjam was a kingdom in the north-western part of Ethiopia, with its capital city at Debre Marqos. This region is distinctive for lying entirely within the bend of the Abbay River from its outflow from Lake Tana to the Sudan...
, WolloWolloWollo was a historical region and province in the northeastern part of Ethiopia, with its capital city at Dessie. The province was named after the Wollo Oromo, who settled in this part of Ethiopia in the 17th century...
, have all held the title of Negus at some point. The title of Negus of Tsion (Zion), usually held by the Emperor, gave hegemony over much of the north of the Empire and was seated at AxumAxumAxum or Aksum is a city in northern Ethiopia which was the original capital of the eponymous kingdom of Axum. Population 56,500 . Axum was a naval and trading power that ruled the region from ca. 400 BC into the 10th century...
. The title was last used by Emperor Yohannes IV. It was awarded to Negus MikaelMikael of WolloMikael of Wollo , born Mohammed Ali, was an army commander and a member of the nobility of the Ethiopian Empire. He was the father of the "uncrowned" Emperor Iyasu V. He changed his name to Mikael upon converting to Christianity.- Life :Mohammed Ali, an Oromo, was born in Wollo...
, father of Iyasu V, but changed to Negus of Wollo in consideration of the feelings of many princes in northern Ethiopia, then after his son Lij Iyasu's deposition the title went to Tafari Makonnen, who later became Emperor Haile Selassie. He would be the last person to bear the title of Negus. - Leul
Until the end of the monarchyEthiopian EmpireThe Ethiopian Empire also known as Abyssinia, covered a geographical area that the present-day northern half of Ethiopia and Eritrea covers, and included in its peripheries Zeila, Djibouti, Yemen and Western Saudi Arabia...
in 1974, there were two categories of nobility in EthiopiaEthiopiaEthiopia , officially known as the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. It is the second-most populous nation in Africa, with over 82 million inhabitants, and the tenth-largest by area, occupying 1,100,000 km2...
: the Mesafint (Ge'ezGe'ez alphabetGe'ez , also called Ethiopic, is a script used as an abugida for several languages of Ethiopia and Eritrea but originated in an abjad used to write Ge'ez, now the liturgical language of the Ethiopian and Eritrean Orthodox Church...
መሳፍንት , modern , singular መስፍን , modern , "prince") or princes, hereditary nobles, formed the upper echelon of the ruling class; while the Mekwanint (, modern or መኮንን , "governor") were the appointed nobles, often of humble birth, who formed the bulk of the nobility. Until the 20th century, the most powerful people at court were generally Mekwanint appointed by the monarch, while regionally the Mesafint enjoyed greater influence and power. Emperor Haile Selassie greatly curtailed the power of the Mesafint to the benefit of the Mekwanint.
Men's honorifics
- ("King of kingsKing of KingsKing of Kings is a title that has been used by several monarchies and empires throughout history. The title originates in the Ancient Near East. It is broadly the equivalent of the later title Emperor....
") -- Emperor of EthiopiaEmperor of EthiopiaThe Emperor of Ethiopia was the hereditary ruler of Ethiopia until the abolition of the monarchy in 1974. The Emperor was the head of state and head of government, with ultimate executive, judicial and legislative power in that country...
. Although several kings of Aksum used this style, until the restoration of the Solomonic dynastySolomonic dynastyThe Solomonic dynasty is the Imperial House of Abyssinia. Its members claim lineal descent from King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba, the latter of whom tradition asserts gave birth to the first King Menelik I after her Biblically described visit to Solomon in Jerusalem .-Overview:The dynasty, a...
under Yekuno AmlakYekuno Amlak of EthiopiaEmperor Yekuno Amlak was of Ethiopia and founder of the Solomonic dynasty. He traced his ancestry through his father, Tasfa Iyasus, to Dil Na'od, the last King of Axum.-Rise to power:...
, rulers of Ethiopia generally used the style of Negus, although "King of Kings" was used as far back as Ezana. The full title of the Emperor of Ethiopia included the terms Atse (Emperor), Neguse Negest (King of kings), and Seyoume Igziabeher (Elect of God). The title of Moa Anbessa Ze Imnegede Yehuda (Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah) always preceded the titles of the Emperor. It was not a personal title, but rather referred to the title of Christ, and placed the office of the Christ ahead of the Emperor's name in an act of Imperial submission. Until Yohannes IV the Emperor was also Neguse Tsion (King of Zion). The Emperor was entitled to the dignities of Girmawi (His/Your Imperial Majesty), and Janhoy (Sire), Atse (Emperor when referred to in the third person) and in his own household and family as Getochu (our Master in the plural). - NegusNegusNegus is a title in Ge'ez, Tigrinya, Tigre and Amharic, used for a king and at times also a vassal ruler in pre-1974 Ethiopia and pre-1890 Eritrea. It is subsequently used to translate the word "king" in Biblical and other literature...
("king") -- This word was often used as part of the title to denote any important official. The title of Negus was awarded at the discretion of the Emperor to the Rases who ruled important provinces. The rulers of GondarGondarGondar or Gonder is a city in Ethiopia, which was once the old imperial capital and capital of the historic Begemder Province. As a result, the old province of Begemder is sometimes referred to as Gondar...
, ShewaShewaShewa is a historical region of Ethiopia, formerly an autonomous kingdom within the Ethiopian Empire...
, GojjamGojjamGojjam was a kingdom in the north-western part of Ethiopia, with its capital city at Debre Marqos. This region is distinctive for lying entirely within the bend of the Abbay River from its outflow from Lake Tana to the Sudan...
, WolloWolloWollo was a historical region and province in the northeastern part of Ethiopia, with its capital city at Dessie. The province was named after the Wollo Oromo, who settled in this part of Ethiopia in the 17th century...
, have all held the title of Negus at some point. The title of Negus of Tsion (Zion), usually held by the Emperor, gave hegemony over much of the north of the Empire and was seated at AxumAxumAxum or Aksum is a city in northern Ethiopia which was the original capital of the eponymous kingdom of Axum. Population 56,500 . Axum was a naval and trading power that ruled the region from ca. 400 BC into the 10th century...
. The title was last used by Emperor Yohannes IV. It was awarded to Negus MikaelMikael of WolloMikael of Wollo , born Mohammed Ali, was an army commander and a member of the nobility of the Ethiopian Empire. He was the father of the "uncrowned" Emperor Iyasu V. He changed his name to Mikael upon converting to Christianity.- Life :Mohammed Ali, an Oromo, was born in Wollo...
, father of Iyasu V, but changed to Negus of Wollo in consideration of the feelings of many princes in northern Ethiopia, then after his son Lij Iyasu's deposition the title went to Tafari Makonnen, who later became Emperor Haile Selassie. He would be the last person to bear the title of Negus. - Leul
Until the end of the monarchyEthiopian EmpireThe Ethiopian Empire also known as Abyssinia, covered a geographical area that the present-day northern half of Ethiopia and Eritrea covers, and included in its peripheries Zeila, Djibouti, Yemen and Western Saudi Arabia...
in 1974, there were two categories of nobility in EthiopiaEthiopiaEthiopia , officially known as the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. It is the second-most populous nation in Africa, with over 82 million inhabitants, and the tenth-largest by area, occupying 1,100,000 km2...
: the Mesafint (Ge'ezGe'ez alphabetGe'ez , also called Ethiopic, is a script used as an abugida for several languages of Ethiopia and Eritrea but originated in an abjad used to write Ge'ez, now the liturgical language of the Ethiopian and Eritrean Orthodox Church...
መሳፍንት , modern , singular መስፍን , modern , "prince") or princes, hereditary nobles, formed the upper echelon of the ruling class; while the Mekwanint were the appointed nobles, often of humble birth, who formed the bulk of the nobility. Until the 20th century, the most powerful people at court were generally Mekwanint appointed by the monarch, while regionally the Mesafint enjoyed greater influence and power. Emperor Haile Selassie greatly curtailed the power of the Mesafint to the benefit of the Mekwanint.
Men's honorifics
- ("King of kingsKing of KingsKing of Kings is a title that has been used by several monarchies and empires throughout history. The title originates in the Ancient Near East. It is broadly the equivalent of the later title Emperor....
") -- Emperor of EthiopiaEmperor of EthiopiaThe Emperor of Ethiopia was the hereditary ruler of Ethiopia until the abolition of the monarchy in 1974. The Emperor was the head of state and head of government, with ultimate executive, judicial and legislative power in that country...
. Although several kings of Aksum used this style, until the restoration of the Solomonic dynastySolomonic dynastyThe Solomonic dynasty is the Imperial House of Abyssinia. Its members claim lineal descent from King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba, the latter of whom tradition asserts gave birth to the first King Menelik I after her Biblically described visit to Solomon in Jerusalem .-Overview:The dynasty, a...
under Yekuno AmlakYekuno Amlak of EthiopiaEmperor Yekuno Amlak was of Ethiopia and founder of the Solomonic dynasty. He traced his ancestry through his father, Tasfa Iyasus, to Dil Na'od, the last King of Axum.-Rise to power:...
, rulers of Ethiopia generally used the style of Negus, although "King of Kings" was used as far back as Ezana. The full title of the Emperor of Ethiopia included the terms Atse (Emperor), Neguse Negest (King of kings), and Seyoume Igziabeher (Elect of God). The title of Moa Anbessa Ze Imnegede Yehuda (Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah) always preceded the titles of the Emperor. It was not a personal title, but rather referred to the title of Christ, and placed the office of the Christ ahead of the Emperor's name in an act of Imperial submission. Until Yohannes IV the Emperor was also Neguse Tsion (King of Zion). The Emperor was entitled to the dignities of Girmawi (His/Your Imperial Majesty), and Janhoy (Sire), Atse (Emperor when referred to in the third person) and in his own household and family as Getochu (our Master in the plural). - NegusNegusNegus is a title in Ge'ez, Tigrinya, Tigre and Amharic, used for a king and at times also a vassal ruler in pre-1974 Ethiopia and pre-1890 Eritrea. It is subsequently used to translate the word "king" in Biblical and other literature...
("king") -- This word was often used as part of the title to denote any important official. The title of Negus was awarded at the discretion of the Emperor to the Rases who ruled important provinces. The rulers of GondarGondarGondar or Gonder is a city in Ethiopia, which was once the old imperial capital and capital of the historic Begemder Province. As a result, the old province of Begemder is sometimes referred to as Gondar...
, ShewaShewaShewa is a historical region of Ethiopia, formerly an autonomous kingdom within the Ethiopian Empire...
, GojjamGojjamGojjam was a kingdom in the north-western part of Ethiopia, with its capital city at Debre Marqos. This region is distinctive for lying entirely within the bend of the Abbay River from its outflow from Lake Tana to the Sudan...
, WolloWolloWollo was a historical region and province in the northeastern part of Ethiopia, with its capital city at Dessie. The province was named after the Wollo Oromo, who settled in this part of Ethiopia in the 17th century...
, have all held the title of Negus at some point. The title of Negus of Tsion (Zion), usually held by the Emperor, gave hegemony over much of the north of the Empire and was seated at AxumAxumAxum or Aksum is a city in northern Ethiopia which was the original capital of the eponymous kingdom of Axum. Population 56,500 . Axum was a naval and trading power that ruled the region from ca. 400 BC into the 10th century...
. The title was last used by Emperor Yohannes IV. It was awarded to Negus MikaelMikael of WolloMikael of Wollo , born Mohammed Ali, was an army commander and a member of the nobility of the Ethiopian Empire. He was the father of the "uncrowned" Emperor Iyasu V. He changed his name to Mikael upon converting to Christianity.- Life :Mohammed Ali, an Oromo, was born in Wollo...
, father of Iyasu V, but changed to Negus of Wollo in consideration of the feelings of many princes in northern Ethiopia, then after his son Lij Iyasu's deposition the title went to Tafari Makonnen, who later became Emperor Haile Selassie. He would be the last person to bear the title of Negus. - Leul
Until the end of the monarchyEthiopian EmpireThe Ethiopian Empire also known as Abyssinia, covered a geographical area that the present-day northern half of Ethiopia and Eritrea covers, and included in its peripheries Zeila, Djibouti, Yemen and Western Saudi Arabia...
in 1974, there were two categories of nobility in EthiopiaEthiopiaEthiopia , officially known as the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. It is the second-most populous nation in Africa, with over 82 million inhabitants, and the tenth-largest by area, occupying 1,100,000 km2...
: the Mesafint (Ge'ezGe'ez alphabetGe'ez , also called Ethiopic, is a script used as an abugida for several languages of Ethiopia and Eritrea but originated in an abjad used to write Ge'ez, now the liturgical language of the Ethiopian and Eritrean Orthodox Church...
መሳፍንት , modern , singular መስፍን , modern , "prince") or princes, hereditary nobles, formed the upper echelon of the ruling class; while the Mekwanint (, modern or መኮንን , "governor") were the appointed nobles, often of humble birth, who formed the bulk of the nobility. Until the 20th century, the most powerful people at court were generally Mekwanint appointed by the monarch, while regionally the Mesafint enjoyed greater influence and power. Emperor Haile Selassie greatly curtailed the power of the Mesafint to the benefit of the Mekwanint.
Men's honorifics
- ("King of kingsKing of KingsKing of Kings is a title that has been used by several monarchies and empires throughout history. The title originates in the Ancient Near East. It is broadly the equivalent of the later title Emperor....
") -- Emperor of EthiopiaEmperor of EthiopiaThe Emperor of Ethiopia was the hereditary ruler of Ethiopia until the abolition of the monarchy in 1974. The Emperor was the head of state and head of government, with ultimate executive, judicial and legislative power in that country...
. Although several kings of Aksum used this style, until the restoration of the Solomonic dynastySolomonic dynastyThe Solomonic dynasty is the Imperial House of Abyssinia. Its members claim lineal descent from King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba, the latter of whom tradition asserts gave birth to the first King Menelik I after her Biblically described visit to Solomon in Jerusalem .-Overview:The dynasty, a...
under Yekuno AmlakYekuno Amlak of EthiopiaEmperor Yekuno Amlak was of Ethiopia and founder of the Solomonic dynasty. He traced his ancestry through his father, Tasfa Iyasus, to Dil Na'od, the last King of Axum.-Rise to power:...
, rulers of Ethiopia generally used the style of Negus, although "King of Kings" was used as far back as Ezana. The full title of the Emperor of Ethiopia included the terms Atse (Emperor), Neguse Negest (King of kings), and Seyoume Igziabeher (Elect of God). The title of Moa Anbessa Ze Imnegede Yehuda (Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah) always preceded the titles of the Emperor. It was not a personal title, but rather referred to the title of Christ, and placed the office of the Christ ahead of the Emperor's name in an act of Imperial submission. Until Yohannes IV the Emperor was also Neguse Tsion (King of Zion). The Emperor was entitled to the dignities of Girmawi (His/Your Imperial Majesty), and Janhoy (Sire), Atse (Emperor when referred to in the third person) and in his own household and family as Getochu (our Master in the plural). - NegusNegusNegus is a title in Ge'ez, Tigrinya, Tigre and Amharic, used for a king and at times also a vassal ruler in pre-1974 Ethiopia and pre-1890 Eritrea. It is subsequently used to translate the word "king" in Biblical and other literature...
("king") -- This word was often used as part of the title to denote any important official. The title of Negus was awarded at the discretion of the Emperor to the Rases who ruled important provinces. The rulers of GondarGondarGondar or Gonder is a city in Ethiopia, which was once the old imperial capital and capital of the historic Begemder Province. As a result, the old province of Begemder is sometimes referred to as Gondar...
, ShewaShewaShewa is a historical region of Ethiopia, formerly an autonomous kingdom within the Ethiopian Empire...
, GojjamGojjamGojjam was a kingdom in the north-western part of Ethiopia, with its capital city at Debre Marqos. This region is distinctive for lying entirely within the bend of the Abbay River from its outflow from Lake Tana to the Sudan...
, WolloWolloWollo was a historical region and province in the northeastern part of Ethiopia, with its capital city at Dessie. The province was named after the Wollo Oromo, who settled in this part of Ethiopia in the 17th century...
, have all held the title of Negus at some point. The title of Negus of Tsion (Zion), usually held by the Emperor, gave hegemony over much of the north of the Empire and was seated at AxumAxumAxum or Aksum is a city in northern Ethiopia which was the original capital of the eponymous kingdom of Axum. Population 56,500 . Axum was a naval and trading power that ruled the region from ca. 400 BC into the 10th century...
. The title was last used by Emperor Yohannes IV. It was awarded to Negus MikaelMikael of WolloMikael of Wollo , born Mohammed Ali, was an army commander and a member of the nobility of the Ethiopian Empire. He was the father of the "uncrowned" Emperor Iyasu V. He changed his name to Mikael upon converting to Christianity.- Life :Mohammed Ali, an Oromo, was born in Wollo...
, father of Iyasu V, but changed to Negus of Wollo in consideration of the feelings of many princes in northern Ethiopia, then after his son Lij Iyasu's deposition the title went to Tafari Makonnen, who later became Emperor Haile Selassie. He would be the last person to bear the title of Negus. - Leul
Until the end of the monarchyEthiopian EmpireThe Ethiopian Empire also known as Abyssinia, covered a geographical area that the present-day northern half of Ethiopia and Eritrea covers, and included in its peripheries Zeila, Djibouti, Yemen and Western Saudi Arabia...
in 1974, there were two categories of nobility in EthiopiaEthiopiaEthiopia , officially known as the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. It is the second-most populous nation in Africa, with over 82 million inhabitants, and the tenth-largest by area, occupying 1,100,000 km2...
: the Mesafint (Ge'ezGe'ez alphabetGe'ez , also called Ethiopic, is a script used as an abugida for several languages of Ethiopia and Eritrea but originated in an abjad used to write Ge'ez, now the liturgical language of the Ethiopian and Eritrean Orthodox Church...
መሳፍንት , modern , singular መስፍን , modern , "prince") or princes, hereditary nobles, formed the upper echelon of the ruling class; while the Mekwanint (, modern or መኮንን , "governor") were the appointed nobles, often of humble birth, who formed the bulk of the nobility. Until the 20th century, the most powerful people at court were generally Mekwanint appointed by the monarch, while regionally the Mesafint enjoyed greater influence and power. Emperor Haile Selassie greatly curtailed the power of the Mesafint to the benefit of the Mekwanint.
Men's honorifics
- ("King of kingsKing of KingsKing of Kings is a title that has been used by several monarchies and empires throughout history. The title originates in the Ancient Near East. It is broadly the equivalent of the later title Emperor....
") -- Emperor of EthiopiaEmperor of EthiopiaThe Emperor of Ethiopia was the hereditary ruler of Ethiopia until the abolition of the monarchy in 1974. The Emperor was the head of state and head of government, with ultimate executive, judicial and legislative power in that country...
. Although several kings of Aksum used this style, until the restoration of the Solomonic dynastySolomonic dynastyThe Solomonic dynasty is the Imperial House of Abyssinia. Its members claim lineal descent from King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba, the latter of whom tradition asserts gave birth to the first King Menelik I after her Biblically described visit to Solomon in Jerusalem .-Overview:The dynasty, a...
under Yekuno AmlakYekuno Amlak of EthiopiaEmperor Yekuno Amlak was of Ethiopia and founder of the Solomonic dynasty. He traced his ancestry through his father, Tasfa Iyasus, to Dil Na'od, the last King of Axum.-Rise to power:...
, rulers of Ethiopia generally used the style of Negus, although "King of Kings" was used as far back as Ezana. The full title of the Emperor of Ethiopia included the terms Atse (Emperor), Neguse Negest (King of kings), and Seyoume Igziabeher (Elect of God). The title of Moa Anbessa Ze Imnegede Yehuda (Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah) always preceded the titles of the Emperor. It was not a personal title, but rather referred to the title of Christ, and placed the office of the Christ ahead of the Emperor's name in an act of Imperial submission. Until Yohannes IV the Emperor was also Neguse Tsion (King of Zion). The Emperor was entitled to the dignities of Girmawi (His/Your Imperial Majesty), and Janhoy (Sire), Atse (Emperor when referred to in the third person) and in his own household and family as Getochu (our Master in the plural). - NegusNegusNegus is a title in Ge'ez, Tigrinya, Tigre and Amharic, used for a king and at times also a vassal ruler in pre-1974 Ethiopia and pre-1890 Eritrea. It is subsequently used to translate the word "king" in Biblical and other literature...
("king") -- This word was often used as part of the title to denote any important official. The title of Negus was awarded at the discretion of the Emperor to the Rases who ruled important provinces. The rulers of GondarGondarGondar or Gonder is a city in Ethiopia, which was once the old imperial capital and capital of the historic Begemder Province. As a result, the old province of Begemder is sometimes referred to as Gondar...
, ShewaShewaShewa is a historical region of Ethiopia, formerly an autonomous kingdom within the Ethiopian Empire...
, GojjamGojjamGojjam was a kingdom in the north-western part of Ethiopia, with its capital city at Debre Marqos. This region is distinctive for lying entirely within the bend of the Abbay River from its outflow from Lake Tana to the Sudan...
, WolloWolloWollo was a historical region and province in the northeastern part of Ethiopia, with its capital city at Dessie. The province was named after the Wollo Oromo, who settled in this part of Ethiopia in the 17th century...
, have all held the title of Negus at some point. The title of Negus of Tsion (Zion), usually held by the Emperor, gave hegemony over much of the north of the Empire and was seated at AxumAxumAxum or Aksum is a city in northern Ethiopia which was the original capital of the eponymous kingdom of Axum. Population 56,500 . Axum was a naval and trading power that ruled the region from ca. 400 BC into the 10th century...
. The title was last used by Emperor Yohannes IV. It was awarded to Negus MikaelMikael of WolloMikael of Wollo , born Mohammed Ali, was an army commander and a member of the nobility of the Ethiopian Empire. He was the father of the "uncrowned" Emperor Iyasu V. He changed his name to Mikael upon converting to Christianity.- Life :Mohammed Ali, an Oromo, was born in Wollo...
, father of Iyasu V, but changed to Negus of Wollo in consideration of the feelings of many princes in northern Ethiopia, then after his son Lij Iyasu's deposition the title went to Tafari Makonnen, who later became Emperor Haile Selassie. He would be the last person to bear the title of Negus. - Leul (ልዑል, "Prince") -- Title reserved for Princes of the Imperial blood.
- Abetohun (አቤቶሁን) or Abeto (አቤቶ) -- Prince. Title reserved for males of Imperial ancestry in the male line. Title fell into disuse by the late 19th century. Lij Iyasu attempted to revive the title as Abeto-hoy and this form is still used by the current Iyasuist claimant Lij Girma Yohannis IyasuGirma Yohannis IyasuPrince Girma Yohannis Iyasu is the Iyasuist claimant to the throne of Ethiopia. He is also known by the name Girma Ghebresillasie.-Life:He is the son of Lij Yohannes Iyasu...
. - Ras (ራስ, "head") -- One of the powerful non-imperial; Harold G. Marcus equates this to a dukeDukeA duke or duchess is a member of the nobility, historically of highest rank below the monarch, and historically controlling a duchy...
. The combined title of Leul Ras was given to the heads of the cadet branches of the Imperial dynasty, such as the Princes of Gojjam, TigrayTigray ProvinceTigray was a province of Ethiopia. The Tigray Region superseded the province with the adoption of the new constitution in 1995. The province of Tigre merged with its neighboring provinces, including Semien, Tembien, Agame and the prominent Enderta province and towards the end of 19th century it...
and Selale. - Bitwoded (ቢትወደድ, "beloved") -- An office thought to have been created by Zara YaqobZara YaqobZar'a Ya`qob or Zera Yacob was of Ethiopia , and a member of the Solomonic dynasty...
who appointed two of these, one of the Left and one of the Right. These were later merged into one office, which became the supreme grade of Ras, "Ras Betwadad". Marcus equates this to an earlEarlAn earl is a member of the nobility. The title is Anglo-Saxon, akin to the Scandinavian form jarl, and meant "chieftain", particularly a chieftain set to rule a territory in a king's stead. In Scandinavia, it became obsolete in the Middle Ages and was replaced with duke...
. - Lij -- (ልጅ, Literally "child") Title given from birth to sons of members of the Mesafint.
- Dejazmach ("Commander or General of the Gate") a military title meaning commander of the central body of a traditional Ethiopian armed force composed of a vanguard, main body, left and right wings and a rear body. Marcus equates this to a countCountA count or countess is an aristocratic nobleman in European countries. The word count came into English from the French comte, itself from Latin comes—in its accusative comitem—meaning "companion", and later "companion of the emperor, delegate of the emperor". The adjective form of the word is...
. The heirs of the "Leul Rases" were titled Leul Dejazmach to elevate them above the non-Imperial blood Dejazmaches. - Fitawrari (ፊትአውራሪ, Commander of the Vanguard), a military title meaning commander of the vanguard of a traditional Ethiopian armed force. Marcus equates this to a baronBaronBaron is a title of nobility. The word baron comes from Old French baron, itself from Old High German and Latin baro meaning " man, warrior"; it merged with cognate Old English beorn meaning "nobleman"...
. - Grazmach (Commander of the Left Wing) a military title meaning commander of the left wing of a traditional Ethiopian armed force.
- Qegnazmach (Commander of the Right wing) a military title meaning commander of the right wing of a traditional Ethiopian armed force.
- Asmach (Commander of the Rearguard) a military title meaning commander of the rearguard of a traditional Ethiopian armed force. This was usually a trustworthy counselor and the leader's chief minister.
- Balambaras (Commander of an Amba or fortress), these could also be commanders of the guards, artillery or cavalry of a traditional Ethiopian armed force, basically a man entrusted with important commands.
Women's honorifics
- Nigiste Negest - "Empress Regnant" (in her own right) Literally "Queen of Kings". Empress Zewditu (reigned 1917–1930) was the only woman to be crowned in Ethiopia in her own right since ancient times. Rather than take the title of Itege which was reserved for Empress-Consorts, Zewditu was given the feminized version of Niguse Negest to indicate that she reigned in her own right. She was accorded the dignity of Girmawit (Imperial Majesty) and the title of Siyimte Igziabiher (feminzed "Elect of God"). She was commonly referred to as Nigist (Queen). The 1955 revised constitution1955 Constitution of EthiopiaEmperor Haile Selassie proclaimed a revised constitution in November 1955 of the Empire of Ethiopia. This constitution was prompted, like its 1931 predecessor, by a concern with international opinion...
excluded women from the succession to the throne so this title was effectively abolished. - Itege - "Empress Consort" were generally crowned as consorts by the Emperor at the Imperial Palace. However, Empress Taitu Bitul, consort of Menelik II, became the first Itege to be crowned by the Emperor at church rather than at the Palace. Her coronation took place on the second day of the Emperor's coronation holiday. Empress Menen AsfawMenen AsfawEmpress Menen Asfaw was the wife and consort of Emperor Haile Selassie I of Ethiopia. Empress Menen was the daughter of Asfaw, Jantirar of Ambassel...
became the first Itege to be crowned by the archbishop on the same day and during the same ceremony as her husband, Emperor Haile Selassie. The Itege was entitled to the dignity of Girmawit (Her/YourImperial Majesty). - Leult (ልዕልት) -- Princess. Reserved at birth for daughters of the monarch, and granddaughters in the male line. Usually bestowed on the wives of "Leul Rases" as well as the monarch's granddaughters in the female line upon their marriages. The notable exception to the rule was "Leult" Yeshashework YilmaYeshashework YilmaPrincess Yeshashework Yilma was the daughter of Dejazmatch Yilma Makonnen, governor of Harar and niece of Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia. Her mother Woizero Aselefech was the niece of Empress Taitu Bitul, consort of Emperor Menelik II of Ethiopia. Through her paternal great-grandmother, she...
, Emperor Haile Selassie's niece by his elder brother, who received the title with the dignity of "Highness" from Empress Zauditu upon the princesses marriage to 'Leul Ras' Gugsa Araya SelassieGugsa Araya SelassieGugsa Araya Selassie was an army commander and a member of the Royal family of the Ethiopian Empire.- Biography :Leul Gugsa Araya Selassie was the legitimate son of Ras Araya Selassie Yohannes...
in 1918, and then again from her uncle upon his coronation in 1930 with the enhanced dignity of "Imperial Highness". - Emebet Hoy (እመቤት ሆይ, "Great Royal Lady") --Reserved for the wives of those bearing the title of "Leul Dejazmatch" and other high ranking women of Royal blood.
- Emebet (እመቤት, "Royal Lady") --Reserved for the unmarried granddaughters of the monarch in the female line (they were generally granted the title of "leult" upon marriage), and to the daughters of the "Leul Rases".
- Woizero (ወይዘሮ, Dame) -- Originally high noble title that over time came to be the general accepted form of address for married women in general (Mrs.). It was still awarded by the Emperor on rare occasions in the 20th century to non-royal women, and sometimes with the higher grade of Woizero Hoy (Great Dame).
- Woizerit (ወይዘሪት, Lady) -- Originally high ranking noble title for unmarried women, now the general accepted form of address for unmarried women in general (Miss). It was sometimes awarded with the added distinction of Woizerit Hoy, (Great Lady) but only to widows.
Important regional offices
- Bahr negus (ባሕር ንጉሥ, "ruler of the Seas") -- King of the territories north of the Mareb RiverMareb RiverThe Mareb River , is a river flowing out of central Eritrea. Its chief importance is defining part of the boundary between Eritrea and Ethiopia between the point where the Mai Ambassa enters the river at to the confluence of the Balasa with the Mareb at .According to the Statistical Abstract of...
, and as a result the most powerful office in medieval Ethiopia after the Emperor himself. As a result of the revolts of the Bahr negus YeshaqBahr negus YeshaqBahr negus Yeshaq was Bahr negus of Ethiopia during the mid to late 16th century...
in the later 16th century, this office lost much of its power. Although men are mentioned as holding this office into the early 18th century, they were of little consequence. - Meridazmach (መርዕድ አዝማች, " Fearsome Commander or supreme general") -- This title is related to "Dejazmach" or "Kenyazmach" above. Beginning in the 18th century this came to denote the ruler of ShewaShewaShewa is a historical region of Ethiopia, formerly an autonomous kingdom within the Ethiopian Empire...
until Sahle SelassieSahle SelassieSahle Selassie was a Meridazmach of Shewa , an important noble of Ethiopia. He was a younger son of Wossen Seged...
dropped it in favor of the title of Negus. Later revived in 1930 in WolloWolloWollo was a historical region and province in the northeastern part of Ethiopia, with its capital city at Dessie. The province was named after the Wollo Oromo, who settled in this part of Ethiopia in the 17th century...
for Crown Prince Asfaw Wossen. - Mesfin Harrar (መስፍን ሐረር) --Duke of Harrar. Hereditary title created in 1930 for Emperor Haile Selassie's second son, Prince MakonnenPrince MakonnenPrince Makonnen Haile Selassie, Duke of Harar was the second son, and second youngest child, of Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia and Empress Menen Asfaw...
. (The wife of the Mesfin was properly titled Sefanit but was more commonly referred to as the Mesfinit). - Nebura ed ("one put in office through the laying of hands") -- civil governor of Aksum. Also called Liqat Aksum. Because of the historical and symbolic importance of this city, the rules of precedence promulgated in 1689 ranked the Nebura ed ahead of all of the provincial governors. Indeed, when the title was granted with Ras Warq (the right to wear a coronet), it was higher than even the title of Ras. Although a civil title granted by the Emperor, it was usually bestowed on a clergyman due to Axum's status as the holiest site of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church within the country.
- Tigray Mekonnen (ትግራይ መኮንን) -- governor of the province of TigrayTigray ProvinceTigray was a province of Ethiopia. The Tigray Region superseded the province with the adoption of the new constitution in 1995. The province of Tigre merged with its neighboring provinces, including Semien, Tembien, Agame and the prominent Enderta province and towards the end of 19th century it...
. Under the rule of Emperor Yohannes IV in the late 19th century, the Tigray Mekonnen briefly became responsible for the territories once controlled by the Bahrnegus, and became the most powerful governor of EritreaEritreaEritrea , officially the State of Eritrea, is a country in the Horn of Africa. Eritrea derives it's name from the Greek word Erethria, meaning 'red land'. The capital is Asmara. It is bordered by Sudan in the west, Ethiopia in the south, and Djibouti in the southeast...
. - Wagshum (ዋግሹም) -- governor (or shum) of the province of WagWagWag is a traditional highland district in the Amhara Region of Ethiopia, in the approximate location of the modern Wag Hemra Zone. Weld Blundell described the district as bounded on the south by the mountains of Lasta, on the east and north by the Tellare River, and the west by the Tekezé...
. The Wagshum was a hereditary title, and these rulers traced their ancestry back to the kings of the Zagwe dynastyZagwe dynastyThe Zagwe dynasty was an historical kingdom in present-day Ethiopia. It ruled large parts of the territory from approximately 1137 to 1270, when the last Zagwe King Za-Ilmaknun was killed in battle by the forces of Yekuno Amlak...
. - Shum Agame -- Governor of Agame district of Tigrai, and hereditary in the family of Dejazmatch Sebagadis, a major figure of the Zemene Mesafint (Era of the Princes) period. Ras Sebhat Aregawi, a longtime rival of the family of Emperor Yohannis IV was one of the more famous of the Shum Agame.
- Shum Tembien (ሹም ታምብየን) -- Governor of Tembien district of Tigrai. Emperor Yohannis IV was the son of Shum Mercha of Tembien.
- JantirarJantirarJantirar is a title of the Ethiopian Empire. It is borne historically by the head of the family holding the mountain fortress of Amba Sel in Ethiopia, similar to Wagshum, the heridary ruler of the province of Wag, and unlike other aristocratic titles like Meridazmach or Ras...
- Title reserved for the males of the family who ruled over the mountain fortress of AmbasselAmbasselAmbassel is one of the 105 woredas of the Amhara Region in Ethiopia, and an amba, or mountain fortress, located in the woreda; the woreda is named for this feature...
in WolloWolloWollo was a historical region and province in the northeastern part of Ethiopia, with its capital city at Dessie. The province was named after the Wollo Oromo, who settled in this part of Ethiopia in the 17th century...
(now Debub Wollo ZoneDebub Wollo ZoneDebub Wollo is one of 10 Zones in the Ethiopian Amhara Region. It acquired its name from the former province of Wollo.Debub Wollo is bordered on the south by Semien Shewa and the Oromia Region, on the west by Mirab Gojjam, on the northwest by Debub Gondar, on the north by Semien Wollo and on the...
). The title of Jantirar is among the oldest in the Ethiopian Empire. Empress MenenMenen AsfawEmpress Menen Asfaw was the wife and consort of Emperor Haile Selassie I of Ethiopia. Empress Menen was the daughter of Asfaw, Jantirar of Ambassel...
, consort of Emperor Haile Selassie, was the daughter of Jantirar Asfaw.
Important offices of the Imperial Court
- Enderase (እንደራሴ, Literally "As Myself") -- Regent of the Empire. Also title used by the monarch's representatives to fiefs and vassals.
- Reise Mekwanint (ርዕሰ መኳንንት, Head of the Nobles) -- Title granted during the Zemene MesafintZemene MesafintThe Zemene Mesafint was a period in Ethiopian history when the country was rent by conflicts between warlords, the Emperor was reduced to little more than a figurehead confined to the capital city of...
to the holder of the "Enderase-ship," which raised the holder over all appointed nobles. Last granted to Yohannes IV by his brother-in-law Tekle Giyorgis IITekle Giyorgis II of EthiopiaTekle Giyorgis II was of Ethiopia from 1868 to 1872....
before the former deposed the later and seized the throne for himself. - Tsehafi Tezaz (ጸሐፊ ትእዛዝ, Literally "Scribe by Command") -- Minister of the Pen. This was the most powerful post at the Imperial court. According to John Spencer, he was "the one who traditionally walked two steps behind the Emperor to listen to and write down all orders that the latter gave out in the course of an audience or an inspection tour." Spencer adds that under Haile Selassie the Tsehafi Tezaz safeguarded the Great Seal, kept the records of all important appointments, and was responsible for publishing all laws and treaties; "his signature, rather than that of the Emperor, appeared on those [official] publications although the heading in each case referred to His Imperial Majesty." The office was combined with that of Prime Minister during the tenure of Aklilu Habte-WoldAklilu Habte-WoldTsehafi Taezaz Aklilu Habte-Wold was an Ethiopian politician under Emperor Haile Selassie. He was foreign minister of Ethiopia from 1947 to 1958 and Prime Minister from 1961 until shortly before his death....
(1961–1974). - Afe Negus -- (አፈ ንጉሥ, Literally "Mouth of the King") Originally, this was the title given to the two chief heralds who acted as official spokesmen for the Emperor. As the Emperor never spoke in public, these officials always spoke in public for him, speaking as if they were the Emperor. By 1942, this title was granted only to Justices of the Imperial Supreme Court.
- Lique Mekwas (ሊቀ መኳስ) -- The impersonator or double of the Emperor, who accompanied him in battle. Two trusted and highly favored officials were given this title. They always walked or rode on either side of the monarch in battle, or in public processions, dressing as magnificently, or more magnificently then he, in order to distract assassins.
- Blattengeta (ብላቴና) -- "Lord of the Pages", High court official that served as administrator of the Palaces. Later used as an honorific.
- Blatta (ብላታ) -- "Page", high court officials in charge of maintaining palace protocol and meeting the personal needs of the Imperial family.
- Basha (ባሻ) -- Originally derived from the Turkish (Ottoman)/Egyptian title of PashaPashaPasha or pascha, formerly bashaw, was a high rank in the Ottoman Empire political system, typically granted to governors, generals and dignitaries. As an honorary title, Pasha, in one of its various ranks, is equivalent to the British title of Lord, and was also one of the highest titles in...
, but considered a lower rank in Ethiopia, whereas Pasha was a high rank at the Turkish and Egyptian courts.
Note: Higher ranks from the title of Ras through Balambaras were also bestowed upon members of the Mekwanint. A Ras who was a member of the Mesafint (such as Ras Mengesha Yohannes, son of Emperor Yohannes IV) would usually be given precedence over a Ras who was a member of the Mekwanint, (such as Ras Alula EngidaAlula EngidaRas Alula Engida was a general and Ethiopian politician...
who was of humble birth) even though their ranks were equal. There were also however parallel rules of precedence based on seniority based on age, on offices held, and on when they each obtained their titles, which made the rules for precedence fairly complicated.
Sources
- Ethiopia : a country study / edited by Thomas P. Ofcansky and LaVerle Berry. 4th ed. Washington, D.C. : Federal Research Division, Library of Congress : For sale by the Supt. of Docs., U.S. G.P.O., 1993.
- On line at http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/ettoc.html#et0163
External links
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