Kassa Haile Darge
Encyclopedia
Ras Kassa Haile Darge GCVO, GBE
, (Amharic: ካሣ ሃዕለ ዳርጌ; 1881 – 1956) was a Shewa
n nobleman, the son of Haile Wolde Kiros of Lasta
and Tisseme Darge
, and grandson of Ras Darge Sahle Selassie
the brother of Menelik II's father.
John Spencer, who advised Ras Kassa during the writing of the 1955 Constitution of Ethiopia
, described him as "surely the most conservative of all the rases in constant attendance at the court." Spencer continued his description of the aristocrat with noting that he rarely saw the Ras "in other than Ethiopian national dress. Large, bearded and silent, this imposing dignitary wore a black cloak with gold clasps worked into the form of lion heads. In working sessions, he used to take out with considerable pride a pair of folding half-lens spectacles with gold frames and bows."
. During the rise of Emperor Haile Selassie I, Ras Kassa was loyal to Selassie during numerous challenges to his rule, standing by his side during more than one uprising. His most notable act supporting Haile Selassie was his role in neutralizing the threat of Dajazmach Balcha Safo
in 1928.
Ras Kassa served as Qegnazmach
("Commander of the Army of the Right") during the Second Italo-Abyssinian War
. His forces fought in the First Battle of Tembien
and the Second Battle of Tembien
. Following the Ethiopian defeat he went into exile with his Emperor, spending most of his time in Jerusalem.
The sons of Ras Kassa stayed in Ethiopia and were part of the resistance to the Italian occupation
. In late 1936, three of his four sons were captured and executed: Wondosson Kassa
, Aberra Kassa
, and Asfawossen Kassa
.
In early 1941, during the East African Campaign
of World War II
, Ras Kassa returned to Ethiopia with the Emperor and Gideon Force
. After the war, he became a Crown Counsellor
.
GBE
GBE or Gbe may refer to:* Gbe languages, a group of languages in West Africa* Gigabit ethernet, a term for transmitting Ethernet frames at a rate of a gigabit per second* Government business enterprise...
, (Amharic: ካሣ ሃዕለ ዳርጌ; 1881 – 1956) was a Shewa
Shewa
Shewa is a historical region of Ethiopia, formerly an autonomous kingdom within the Ethiopian Empire...
n nobleman, the son of Haile Wolde Kiros of Lasta
Lasta
Lasta is a historic district in north-central Ethiopia. It is the district in which Lalibela is situated, the former capital of Ethiopia during the Zagwe dynasty and home to 11 medieval rock-hewn churches....
and Tisseme Darge
Tisseme Darge
Woizero Tesseme Darge was the daughter of Ras Darge Sahle Selassie, Prince of Selale, and granddaughter of Sahle Selassie, Meridazmach of Shewa...
, and grandson of Ras Darge Sahle Selassie
Darge Sahle Selassie
Ras Darge Sahle Selassie was an Ethiopian prince. He was the son of Negus Sahle Selassie of Shewa and half-brother to Negus Haile Melekot, and the much respected and much loved uncle of Emperor Menelik II of Ethiopia....
the brother of Menelik II's father.
John Spencer, who advised Ras Kassa during the writing of the 1955 Constitution of Ethiopia
1955 Constitution of Ethiopia
Emperor 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...
, described him as "surely the most conservative of all the rases in constant attendance at the court." Spencer continued his description of the aristocrat with noting that he rarely saw the Ras "in other than Ethiopian national dress. Large, bearded and silent, this imposing dignitary wore a black cloak with gold clasps worked into the form of lion heads. In working sessions, he used to take out with considerable pride a pair of folding half-lens spectacles with gold frames and bows."
Life
Although he had by birth a better claim to the throne than his younger cousin Ras Tafari (the later Emperor Haile Selassie I), Kassa valued loyalty over ambition, and was content with his fief of Selale province near the monastery of Debre LibanosDebre Libanos
Debre Libanos is a monastery in Ethiopia, lying northwest of Addis Ababa in the Oromia Region. Founded in the thirteenth century by Saint Tekle Haymanot, the monastery's chief abbot, called the Ichege, was the second most powerful official in the Ethiopian Church after the Abuna.The monastery...
. During the rise of Emperor Haile Selassie I, Ras Kassa was loyal to Selassie during numerous challenges to his rule, standing by his side during more than one uprising. His most notable act supporting Haile Selassie was his role in neutralizing the threat of Dajazmach Balcha Safo
Balcha Safo
Balcha Safo , also known by his title as Dejazmach Balcha, was an accomplished Ethiopian general, who served in both the First and Second Italo-Ethiopian Wars. He came from a non-aristocratic background...
in 1928.
Ras Kassa served as Qegnazmach
Ethiopian aristocratic and court titles
Until the end of the monarchy in 1974, there were two categories of nobility in Ethiopia: the Mesafint 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...
("Commander of the Army of the Right") during the Second Italo-Abyssinian War
Second Italo-Abyssinian War
The Second Italo–Abyssinian War was a colonial war that started in October 1935 and ended in May 1936. The war was fought between the armed forces of the Kingdom of Italy and the armed forces of the Ethiopian Empire...
. His forces fought in the First Battle of Tembien
First Battle of Tembien
The First Battle of Tembien was a battle fought on the northern front of what was known as the Second Italo-Abyssinian War. This battle consisted of attacks and counterattacks by Italian forces under Marshal Pietro Badoglio and Ethiopian forces under Ras Kassa Haile Darge...
and the Second Battle of Tembien
Second Battle of Tembien
The Second Battle of Tembien was a battle fought on the northern front of what was known as the Second Italo-Abyssinian War. This battle consisted of attacks by Italian forces under Marshal Pietro Badoglio on Ethiopian forces under Ras Kassa Haile Darge and Ras Seyoum Mangasha...
. Following the Ethiopian defeat he went into exile with his Emperor, spending most of his time in Jerusalem.
The sons of Ras Kassa stayed in Ethiopia and were part of the resistance to the Italian occupation
Italian East Africa
Italian East Africa was an Italian colonial administrative subdivision established in 1936, resulting from the merger of the Ethiopian Empire with the old colonies of Italian Somaliland and Italian Eritrea. In August 1940, British Somaliland was conquered and annexed to Italian East Africa...
. In late 1936, three of his four sons were captured and executed: Wondosson Kassa
Wondosson Kassa
Wondosson Kassa, also known as Wond Wossen Kassa, was a member of the royalty of the Ethiopian Empire, an army commander, and a patriot.- Biography :Leul Wondosson Kassa was the eldest son of Ras Kassa Haile Darge...
, Aberra Kassa
Aberra Kassa
Aberra Kassa was an army commander and a member of the Royal family of the Ethiopian Empire.-Biography:Leul Dejazmach Aberra Kassa was the second son of Ras Kassa Haile Darge. Kassa Haile Darge was a loyal ally of Negus Tafari Makonnen, who ultimately was crowned Emperor Haile Selassie I of...
, and Asfawossen Kassa
Asfawossen Kassa
Asfawossen Kassa was an army commander and a member of the Royal family of the Ethiopian Empire.- Biography :Prince Asfawossen Kassa was the third son of Duke Kassa Haile Darge...
.
In early 1941, during the East African Campaign
East African Campaign (World War II)
The East African Campaign was a series of battles fought in East Africa during World War II by the British Empire, the British Commonwealth of Nations and several allies against the forces of Italy from June 1940 to November 1941....
of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Ras Kassa returned to Ethiopia with the Emperor and Gideon Force
Gideon Force
The Gideon Force was a small British-led African regular force which acted as a Corps d'Elite amongst the irregular Ethiopian forces fighting the Italian occupation forces in Ethiopia during the East African Campaign of World War II...
. After the war, he became a Crown Counsellor
Crown Council of Ethiopia
The Crown Council of Ethiopia was the constitutional body which advised the reigning emperors of Ethiopia and acted on behalf of the Crown. The council’s members were appointed by the emperor....
.
See also
- Aberra KassaAberra KassaAberra Kassa was an army commander and a member of the Royal family of the Ethiopian Empire.-Biography:Leul Dejazmach Aberra Kassa was the second son of Ras Kassa Haile Darge. Kassa Haile Darge was a loyal ally of Negus Tafari Makonnen, who ultimately was crowned Emperor Haile Selassie I of...
- Son - Asfawossen KassaAsfawossen KassaAsfawossen Kassa was an army commander and a member of the Royal family of the Ethiopian Empire.- Biography :Prince Asfawossen Kassa was the third son of Duke Kassa Haile Darge...
- Son - Aserate Kassa - Son
- Wondosson KassaWondosson KassaWondosson Kassa, also known as Wond Wossen Kassa, was a member of the royalty of the Ethiopian Empire, an army commander, and a patriot.- Biography :Leul Wondosson Kassa was the eldest son of Ras Kassa Haile Darge...
- Son