Ras Woldemikael Selomon
Encyclopedia
Ras Woldemikael Selomon of Hazega
was the last sovereign of Mereb Milash
(now known as Eritrea). He repulsed the Mahdists at the end of the 19th century in Akordat. When he feared a strong offensive from the Mahdists and the Italians
, he travelled to Tigray
and met with Ras Alula who was in his support. Ras Alula however schemed against him and attracted Ras Woldemichael Selomon (Solomon) into an ambush. Mereb Milash leadership was therefore let loose and it ignited a terrible war between Hazega
and Tsazega
.
, Selomon fought many battles against those who sought to invade Ethiopia
including the Battle at Gundet against the Egyptians. Originally allied with the Emperor Yohannes IV, he sensed that Yohannes would appoint Dejazmach Hailu as governor of Hamasien
and he thus turned against Yohannes and sided with the Egyptians at Gura’e. His new allies were defeated at Gura’e so he had no choice but to lead a rebel life and made necessary preparations to destroy Dejazmach Hailu.
Woldemicahel was by far stronger in terms of arms and fellowship than his rival Hailu. At the battle of Wekiduba, Dejach Hailu was wounded and killed and Woldemicahel was victorious. Yohannes Kolmedin, an expert on the sociology of Tsazega
and Hazega
, testifies the gruesome massacre of Hailu’s captured troops by order of Woldemikael. Kolmedin also testifies the burning down of several villages including Tsazega
, Adi Gebru, Adi Teklai, and Adi Kefelet, by order of Woldemicahel. Woldmichael carried out the same atrocities against the people of Maria Tselim and Maria Keyih.
Following the death of Dejach Hailu, Emperor Yohannes sent messengers to Woldemichael and told him, “despite your past crimes, I will forgive you if you submit to me.” But Woldemichael adamantly rejected Yohannes' concessionary proposal and the Emperor had no choice but to appoint Ras Baryaw Gebretsadiq as governor of Hamasien
.
Again, Woldemichael confronted Baryaw at Biet Meka’e and the Ras, who was rather pompous and who truly underestimated Aba Gomida, was shot and killed. But, despite his second victory (now with the rank of Ras given to him by the Egyptians), he carefully assessed his military prowess vis-à-vis Alula. He knew very well that he was no match to the latter and decided to surrender to Yohannes. He wrote a letter to Alula, which reads, “I have decided to submit to my king of kings and you help me reconcile with him.” Alula replied by saying, “that is just fine; I will reconcile you and I swear in the name of God.”
Following the peace dialogue, Woldemichael headed to Aksum to meet Alula and upon his arrival was given a warm welcome; both of them, in turn, headed to Debre Tabor where the Emperor stayed then. Here too, the Emperor gave Woldemicahel a warm
welcome and told him, “I have forgiven you and I have approved the title of Ras given to you by the Egyptians and you are appointed to serve with Ras Alula in Mereb Millash.” Then, both Alula and Woldemichael went back to Akele Guzai and settled at Gura’e.
Woldemichael and he may have engineered a pre-planned downfall strategy of Embee Yale Woldu. Thus a certain Kentiba Hailu Gebrai (close relative of Woldemicahel) testified in front of Alula and told Woldemichael on his face, “you have hid a part of your
weapons at Massawa and a part in the monasteries.” Under this charge, on September 1880, he was taken prisoner along with his sons Lij Hailemelekot and Dejach Mesfin.
Hazega
Hazega is a small village in Central Eritrea located in the former province of Hamasien. It is 13 miles north-west from the capital city, Asmara, and 35 miles south-east of Keren. It is an entirely Christian village inhabited by the Tigrinya speaking people of Eritrea...
was the last sovereign of Mereb Milash
Eritrea
Eritrea , 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...
(now known as Eritrea). He repulsed the Mahdists at the end of the 19th century in Akordat. When he feared a strong offensive from the Mahdists and the Italians
Italian Eritrea
Italian Eritrea was the first colony of the Kingdom of Italy. It was created in 1890 and lasted officially until 1947.-Acquisition of Assab and creation of the colony:...
, he travelled to Tigray
Tigray Province
Tigray 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 met with Ras Alula who was in his support. Ras Alula however schemed against him and attracted Ras Woldemichael Selomon (Solomon) into an ambush. Mereb Milash leadership was therefore let loose and it ignited a terrible war between Hazega
Hazega
Hazega is a small village in Central Eritrea located in the former province of Hamasien. It is 13 miles north-west from the capital city, Asmara, and 35 miles south-east of Keren. It is an entirely Christian village inhabited by the Tigrinya speaking people of Eritrea...
and Tsazega
Tsazega
Tsazega is a village in Central Eritrea located in the former province of Hamasien. It is 5.6 miles north-west from the capital city, Asmara. It is an entirely Christian village inhabited by the Tigrinya speaking people of Eritrea...
.
Life
As one of Ras Alula's advisors, along with Dejazmach Hailu Teweldemedhin of TsazegaTsazega
Tsazega is a village in Central Eritrea located in the former province of Hamasien. It is 5.6 miles north-west from the capital city, Asmara. It is an entirely Christian village inhabited by the Tigrinya speaking people of Eritrea...
, Selomon fought many battles against those who sought to invade 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...
including the Battle at Gundet against the Egyptians. Originally allied with the Emperor Yohannes IV, he sensed that Yohannes would appoint Dejazmach Hailu as governor of Hamasien
Hamasien
Hamasien was the name of an histoical province including and surrounding Asmara, now part of modern Eritrea. The region has been divided and distributed amongst the modern Maekel, Debub, Northern Red Sea, Gash-Barka and Anseba regions....
and he thus turned against Yohannes and sided with the Egyptians at Gura’e. His new allies were defeated at Gura’e so he had no choice but to lead a rebel life and made necessary preparations to destroy Dejazmach Hailu.
Woldemicahel was by far stronger in terms of arms and fellowship than his rival Hailu. At the battle of Wekiduba, Dejach Hailu was wounded and killed and Woldemicahel was victorious. Yohannes Kolmedin, an expert on the sociology of Tsazega
Tsazega
Tsazega is a village in Central Eritrea located in the former province of Hamasien. It is 5.6 miles north-west from the capital city, Asmara. It is an entirely Christian village inhabited by the Tigrinya speaking people of Eritrea...
and Hazega
Hazega
Hazega is a small village in Central Eritrea located in the former province of Hamasien. It is 13 miles north-west from the capital city, Asmara, and 35 miles south-east of Keren. It is an entirely Christian village inhabited by the Tigrinya speaking people of Eritrea...
, testifies the gruesome massacre of Hailu’s captured troops by order of Woldemikael. Kolmedin also testifies the burning down of several villages including Tsazega
Tsazega
Tsazega is a village in Central Eritrea located in the former province of Hamasien. It is 5.6 miles north-west from the capital city, Asmara. It is an entirely Christian village inhabited by the Tigrinya speaking people of Eritrea...
, Adi Gebru, Adi Teklai, and Adi Kefelet, by order of Woldemicahel. Woldmichael carried out the same atrocities against the people of Maria Tselim and Maria Keyih.
Following the death of Dejach Hailu, Emperor Yohannes sent messengers to Woldemichael and told him, “despite your past crimes, I will forgive you if you submit to me.” But Woldemichael adamantly rejected Yohannes' concessionary proposal and the Emperor had no choice but to appoint Ras Baryaw Gebretsadiq as governor of Hamasien
Hamasien
Hamasien was the name of an histoical province including and surrounding Asmara, now part of modern Eritrea. The region has been divided and distributed amongst the modern Maekel, Debub, Northern Red Sea, Gash-Barka and Anseba regions....
.
Again, Woldemichael confronted Baryaw at Biet Meka’e and the Ras, who was rather pompous and who truly underestimated Aba Gomida, was shot and killed. But, despite his second victory (now with the rank of Ras given to him by the Egyptians), he carefully assessed his military prowess vis-à-vis Alula. He knew very well that he was no match to the latter and decided to surrender to Yohannes. He wrote a letter to Alula, which reads, “I have decided to submit to my king of kings and you help me reconcile with him.” Alula replied by saying, “that is just fine; I will reconcile you and I swear in the name of God.”
Following the peace dialogue, Woldemichael headed to Aksum to meet Alula and upon his arrival was given a warm welcome; both of them, in turn, headed to Debre Tabor where the Emperor stayed then. Here too, the Emperor gave Woldemicahel a warm
welcome and told him, “I have forgiven you and I have approved the title of Ras given to you by the Egyptians and you are appointed to serve with Ras Alula in Mereb Millash.” Then, both Alula and Woldemichael went back to Akele Guzai and settled at Gura’e.
Capture
Alula had yet to pacify the areas of Bogos, Habab and Mensa’e and he asked Woldemichael to mobilize his forces and participate in the campaign. He said ok and both of them campaigned in the said areas, but for some reason Alula did not trustWoldemichael and he may have engineered a pre-planned downfall strategy of Embee Yale Woldu. Thus a certain Kentiba Hailu Gebrai (close relative of Woldemicahel) testified in front of Alula and told Woldemichael on his face, “you have hid a part of your
weapons at Massawa and a part in the monasteries.” Under this charge, on September 1880, he was taken prisoner along with his sons Lij Hailemelekot and Dejach Mesfin.