GOJJAM'S ROYAL GENEALOGY--THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN

1752 - 1759 Dejazmatch Yosadiq Wolde Habib, son of Dejazmatch Wolde Habib bin Ibido, Governor of Gojjam 1744-1749, an Amuru Galla. m. Woizero Walatta Israel (m. second, H.H. Ras Goshu Wodago, Viceroy of the Empire), daughter of Gerazmatch Milmal Iyasu, by H.M. Empress Berhane Mogassa "Mentwab", and daughter of Dejazmatch Manbar, of Qwara, by his wife Woizero Yenkoy, daughter of Itsa Minianffa, and a descendant of Prince Fiqtor Lebna Dengal. He d. 28^th July 1759 (bur. Assasame St Mikael Church), having had issue, a son and a daughter:

• 1) Ras Hailu Yosadiq, Prince of Gojjam (s/o Woizero Walatta Israel) - see below.
• 1) Woizero Kherut (sister of Ras Hailu Yosadiq). She had issue, a daughter:
  • a) Woizero Qatsaro. m. 1790, H.H. Ras Aligaz Gwangul (d. at Yajju, before 5^th August 1803), Viceroy of the Empire, son of Gwangul Merid [Abba Seru], of Yajju, by his third wife, Woizero Galibu, daughter of H.H. Ras Faris, of Salawa, Viceroy during the reign of Emperor Takla Haymanot - see Ethiopia (Begamedar).

1784 - 1795 H.H. Ras Hailu Yosadiq, Prince (Mesfin) of Gojjam. b. 18^th March 1753, son of Dejazmatch Yosadiq Wolde Habib, Governor of Gojjam, by his wife, Woizero Walatta Israel, educ. privately. Raised to the rank of Dejazmatch 1768, Kagnasmatch 1771, and Ras Bitwoded 1778-1779, Governor of Samada 1768-1770, Gojjam and Mazikker of Agaw 17^th February 1784, confirmed by Emperor Hezekeyas 1789. m. (first) Woizero Meskab. m. (second) Woizero Malidama. m. (third) 1790, Woizero Attash, daughter of H.H. Ras Bitwodad  'Ali Gwangul [Tiliku], Viceroy of the Empire. He d. at Nazaret, Gojjam, 5^th July 1795, having had issue, two sons and three daughters:

• 1) Ras Merid Hailu [Mardha], Prince of Gojjam - see below.
• 2) Fasilidas Hailu.
• 1) Woizero Walatta Giyorgis.
• 2) Woizero Yawubdar.
• 3) Woizero Dinqinash (d/o Malidama). She became a nun at Waldabba Monastery after the death of her husband. m. 1799 (div. 1806) Dejazmatch Chintu Krestu Zewde Salim  (d. in prison, at Balamba, before 1813), Actg. Governor of Damot and Gojjam 1799. She had issue, a son:
  • a) Ras Goshu Zewde, Prince of Gojjam - see below.

1795 - 1799 Ras Merid Hailu [Mardha], Prince (Mesfin)  of Gojjam. b. 1772, son of Ras Hailu Yosadiq, Prince of Gojjam, educ. privately. Succeeded his father as Prince of Gojjam and Mazikker of Agaw 5^th July 1795. Reigned under the regency of Dejazmatch Wolde Kidane. Appointed as Kagnazmatch 1792, prom. Dejazmatch 1795, and Ras Bitwodad 19^thJune 1796. He was k. in battle with Ras Walda Gabre, at Wagara, 20^th July 1799 (bur. in the Tomb of Empress Mentwab, at the Monastery Church of St Mary, Quasqwam), having had issue, a son:

• 1) Dejazmatch Gwalu Merid, Ruler of Gojjam - see below.

1799 - 1825 Dejazmatch Gwalu Merid, Prince (Mesfin) of Gojjam. Succeeded on the death of his father 20^th July 1799. Reigned under the regency of his uncle, DejazmatchChintu Zewde Salim. He d. 1825, having had issue, a son:

• 1) Dejazmatch Tadla Gwalu, Ruler of Gojjam - see below.

1825 - 1852 Ras Goshu Zewde, Prince (Mesfin) of Gojjam, son of Dejazmatch Chintu Krestu Zewde Salim, sometime acting Governor of Damot and Gojjam, by his wife, WoizeroDinqinash, younger daughter of Ras Hailu Yosadiq, Prince of Gojjam, educ. privately. Raised to the personal titles of Dejazmatch 1825, and Ras by Emperor Sahle Sahle Dengal 1848. m. Woizero Sahalu. He was k. at the battle of Gur Amba, 27^th November 1852 (or later on 15^th June 1853), having had issue, four sons and three daughters, including:

• 1) Dejazmatch Tesemma Goshu. m. Woizero Milad [Meskab], daughter of Wolde Sehul, and a descendant of Emperor Qwastantinos II, from his daughter, Princess Marta. He d. in prison at Mount Arba, ca. 1855, having had issue:
  • a) Ras Adal Tesemma, who became H.H. Negus Takla Haymanot, King of Gojjam - see below.
  • b) Dejazmatch Zalaqa Tesemma.
• 2) Dejazmatch Birru Goshu. Governor of Qwara, Dembiya, and Tchelga 1839. Imprisoned by Emperor Tewodros II 1853-1868. m. Woizero Yawubdar, daughter ofDejazmatch Sahlu, by his wife, H.M. Empress Menen née Halima, daughter of Ras Liban Amade Kolase, Imam of the Wollo of Warra Himenu. He was k. 1869, having had issue, a daughter.
• 3) Dori Goshu.
• 4) Yelemtu Goshu. m. Woizero Sehin.

1853 - 1855 Dejazmatch Tadla Gwalu, Prince (Mesfin) of Gojjam, son of Dejazmatch Gwalu Merid, Prince of Gojjam. Joined Tewodros in 1854 but deserted him an rebelled in 1855. m. (first) Woizero Taitu (k. in captivity, 1857). m. (second) Woizero Guddaye (m. second, H.H. Negus Takla Haymanot, King of Gojjam, by whom she had further issue - see below), daughter of daughter of Dejazmatch Wolde Gabre. He d. from illness, January 1868, having had issue, three sons and a daughter:

• 1) Dejazmatch Negusa Tadla.
• 2) Ras Desta Tadla, Prince of Gojjam - see below.
• 3) Hailu Tadla.
• 1) Woizero Bizunesh. m. Wale Hailu, a relation of Dejazmatch Chintu Zewde Salim, of Damot.

1868 - 1869 & 1874 H.E. Ras Desta Tadla, Prince (Mesfin) of Gojjam. Defeated and expelled, 11^th November 1869. Imprisoned by Emperor Yohannes 1869 -1873. Raised to the personal title of Ras and appointed as Governor of Gojjam by Emperor Yohannes, May 1874. m. 1867, Princess (Woizero) Beletech, daughter of H.M. Takla Giyorgis II, Elect of God and King of Kings of Ethiopia. He was k. by Ras Ada Tesemmal, at Anqetch, 14^th July 1874.

1874 - 1901 H.H. Negus Takla Haymanot, King of Gojjam. b. ca. 1852, as Adal Tesemma, elder son of Dejazmatch Tesemma Goshu, by Woizero Meelad [Meskab], daughter of Wolde Sehul. Governor of Monkorer 1870, granted rank of Dejazmatch May 1870, and prom. to Ras June 1870. He killed Ras Desta Tadla and assumed the government of Gojjam, 14^th July 1874 (later confirmed by Emperor Yohannes IV). Crowned at Dabra Tabor, Samara, as Negus Takla Haymanot, 20^th January 1881. m. (first) WoizeroGuddaye, former wife of Dejazmatch Tadla Gwalu, Ruler of Gojjam, and daughter of Dejazmatch Wolde Gabre. m. (second) WoizeroDasseta, daughter of Woizero Sabana Giyorgis, daughter of Enqa Samuel, of the Solomonic line. m. (third)  November 1870, H.H.Negest Woizero Laqech, eldest daughter of Wagshum Gabre Medhin, sometime Governor of Lasta, by his second wife. m. (third)Woizero Wosen. He d. at Debra Waraq, 10^th January 1901, having had issue, three sons and four daughters:

• 1) H.E. Ras Bezibeh Takla Haymanot (s/o Guddaye). Vice-Governor of Gojjam 1901-1905. m. (second?) at Addis Ababa, December 1901, Woizero Zenabe Worq (b. at Dessie, December 1892; d. in childbirth, at Debra Markos, April 1904), daughter of H.H. Negus Mikael, King of Zion, by his wife, Woizero Shoa Reged, daughter of H.M. Emperor Menelik II, Elect of God, Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah and King of Kings of Ethiopia, GCB, GCMG. He d. in confinement, at Amba Afqara, 19^th August 1905, having had issue,  two sons and two daughters:
  • a) Fitawrari Adal Bezibeh. He d. after 1917. Copyright© Christopher Buyers
  • b) … Bezibeh. He had issue, a daughter:
    • i) Woizero Kibre Zewde [Elfinesh]. m. at Addis Ababa, 11^th September 1943, Dejazmatch Yohannes Iyasu (d. at Jima, 1977), son of H.M. Iyasu V, Elect of God, King of Kings of Ethiopia, GCVO, by his fourth wife, WoizeroWorqnesh, daughter of Dejazmatch Goshu, descendant of Emperor Iyasu I. She had issue, one son - see Ethiopia (Shoa).
  • a) Woizero … m. Ras Kabbada Mangasha (b. 1879; m. second and div. 1926, Woizero Atsede Asfaw, and d. 1937), son of H.H. Ras Bitwodad Mangasha Atikam, Governor of Gojjam. She had issue, at least one son - see above.
  • b) Woizero … m. Fitawrari Wolde Mariyam. She had issue, a son:
    • i) H.E. Bitwodad Negash Bezibeh. b. 1905. Adopted by his grandfather at his birth and took his name. Presdt. of the Senate 1942-1943, Governor of Arusi 1943-1946, Vice-Minister in the Legal Affairs Bureau 1946. Tried and condemned for his part in an attempt to assassinate Emperor Haile Selassie I in 1951, and confined at Jimma. Raised to the title of Dejazmatch 1936. m. a daughter of Fitawrari Taffese Abayne. He d. at Mehase, 1972.
• 2) Dejazmatch Balaw Takla Haymanot. He d. 1906, having had issue, four sons:
  • a) H.E. Ras Sahle Mariam Balaw. b. at  Bethlehem, Inese, Gojjam, 16^th May 1889, educ. Parochial Sch., Bethlehem. PC 1906, Governor of Motta 1941, and Gojjam. Granted the personal titles of Dejazmatch 1941, and Ras. Rcvd: GC of the Order of the Star of Ethiopia and GO of the Order of Menelik II, GC of the Order of Franz Josef of Austria (1914). m. Woizero Asigidetch Wond Yarad.
  • b) H.E. Dejazmatch Ayyalew Balaw. Raised to the title of Ras by the Italians.
  • c) H.E. Dejazmatch Gessesse Balaw. Deserted during the Italian War while cdr. of a cont. of the Gojjam forces. He was k. by the Italians, ca. 1936. Copyright© Christopher Buyers
  • d) H.E. Ras Hailu Balaw. b. 1890, educ. privately. Governor of Gojjam 1942-1946 and 1951-1957, Crown Councillor. Granted the personal title of Dejazmatch, and prom. to Ras March 1942. He d. 1970.
• 3) H.H. Le'ul-Ras Hailu Takla-Haymaynot, Prince of Gojjam (s/o Wosen) - see below.
• 1) Woizero ... m. a son of Ras Araya Dimtsu, sometime Governor of Tigray.
• 2) Woizero Walatta Takla Haymanot (d/o Dasseta). m. (firs) Dejazmatch Gugsa Mirtcha (d. September 1869), eldest son of Dejazmatch Mirtcha Wolde Kidane, Shum of Temben, by his wife, Woizero Silas [Amata Selassie], daughter of Dejazmatch Dimtsu. m. (a) Abeto Gabre Mariam, third son of Abeto Tawalda Medhin, of Tsazzega, by Tsenu, daughter of Walda Gabriel, of Beshat, in Agame.  She had issue, two sons by her first husband - see Ethiopia (Tigray) and one son by her second - see Ethiopia(Solomonic line).
• 3) Woizero Negast (d/o Laqech). m. (first) before 1900, Ras Mesfin of Damot. m. (second) Dejazmatch Gessessa Wolde Hanna (d. 1926), son of Jantirar Wolde Hanna, of Ambasel, by his wife, Woizero Desta, younger daughter of H.E. Dejazmatch Betul Haile Mariam, sometime Governor of Semien. She had issue, one son by her second husband - see Ethiopia (Tigray).
• 4) Woizero Mentwab.

1901 - 1902 H.E. Ras Bitwodad Mangasha Atikam, Viceroy of Gojjam. Governor of Derra 1865, Damot 1899-1909, and Wolega 1910. Raised to the personal titles of Fitawrari1865, Dejazmatch, Ras 1889 and Ras Bitwodad 29^th January 1895. Viceroy of Gojjam February 1901 - May 1902. m. (first) Woizero Tenagne Walatta Rufael, a descendant of King Sahle Selassie of Shoa. m. (second) Sifrash Bizu Yifru, by whom he had five children. m. (third) Woizero Debritu Ali of Wollo. He had issue:

• 1) H.E. Ras Kabbada Mangasha.  b. 1879 (s/o Tenagne), educ. privately. Governor of Wollo 1918-1926, Kaffa 1926-1930, and Bore 1930-1936. Rcvd: GC of the Order of the Crown of Italy (1928). m. (first) a daughter of Ras Bezibeh Takla Haymanot, sometime Vice-Governor of Gojjam. m. (second) March 1903, Woizero Mentwab (b. ca.1889; d. January 1907), former wife of H.H. Ras Makonnen Wolde Mikael, KCMG, and daughter of Ras Wale Betul, Governor of Yajju. m. (third) 1908 (div. 1926), H.H. Princess Atsede (m. second, Field Marshal H.H. Le'ul Ras Seyun Mangasha, Prince of Tigray, KBE, by whom she left issue - see Tigray), only daughter of Dejazmatch Asfa Darge, sometime Governor of Salala. He d. 1937, having had issue:
  • a) Dejazmatch Asfaw Kabbada. m. Woizero Menbere Tsahai Haile Giorgis. He had issue, a son:
    • i) Ato Haile Giorgis Asfaw. b. at Addis Ababa, 7^th February 1948, educ. St Joseph's Sch. and Good Shepard Convent, Addis Ababa, in England and at Northeastern Univ. (B. Econ. 1974, M. Econ. 1975). Sometime Business Analyst with Dunn & Bradstreet, and Resteraunteur. m. at Los Angeles, California, 1978, Woizero Negede Gezahegene. He d. 17^th July 2002.
  • a) Woizero Tsige Mariam (d/o Mentwab). m. Dejazmatch Desta Gebru.
• 1) Woizero Laqech [Tsige Maryam] (d/o Sifrash Bizu). m. Lij Gabre Rufael Gobena, son of Ras Gobena Dachi, Prince of Falle, Chief of the Abitchu Galla. She had issue, one daughter.
• 2) Woizero Askala Mariam (d/o Tenagne). m. (first) 1896 (div.), H.H. Le'ul-Ras Hailu Takla-Haymaynot [Abba Hayal], Prince of Gojjam, KBE (b. 1875; d. at Addis Ababa, 2^nd May 1951), fourth son of H.H. Negus Takla Haymanot, King of Gojjam, by Woizero Wosen - see below.
• 3) Woizero Wosen Falesh (d/o Sifrash Bizu). m. Major-General Dejazmatch Abebe Damtew, son of  H.E. Fitawrari Damtew Ketena, sometime Envoy Ext. & Min. Plen. to Russia. She had issue, three daughters:
  • a) Woizero Mulumabet. m. (first) Ras Birru Habte Mariam Wolde Gabriel. m. (second) Lij Araya Abebe (d. at Washington DC, USA, 10^th May 2002), Ambassador to Greece until 1974. She had issue by her second husband:
    • i) Lij Amde Araya. Copyright© Christopher Buyers
  • b) Woizero Aklog. m. Tekle Roro.
  • c) H.I.M. Empress Medferiash Worq. b. 1925, educ. privately. Crowned privately with her husband at London 6^th April 1988. Patroness of the Monastery of St. Mary at Gishen. Rcvd: Grand Collar and Chain of the Order of Solomon, GC of the Orders of the Star of Solomon and the Queen of Sheba (8.4.1945), Mbr of the Order of the Serephim of Sweden (19.12.1959), GC of the Orders of St Olav of Norway (x.1.1956), and Beneficience of Greece (x.4.1959). m. at Addis Ababa, 8^th April 1945, as his second wife, H.I.M. Amha Selassie I, Elect of God, Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah and King of Kings of Ethiopia, GCMG, GCVO, GBE, Royal Victorian Chain (b. at Harar, 27^th July 1916; d. at Fair Oaks Hospital, Fairfax, Virginia, USA, 17^th January 1997, bur. Holy Trinity Cathedral, Addis Ababa), eldest son of H.I.M. Emperor Haile Selassie I, Elect of God, Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah and King of Kings of Ethiopia, KG, GCB, GCMG, GCVO, Royal Victorian Chain, by his second wife, H.I.M. Empress Menen, daughter of Dejazmatch Asfaw Mikael, Jantirar of Ambassel. She d. in hospital at Addis Ababa, 13^thMarch 2009 (bur. there beside her mother in the graveyard of the Holy Trinity Cathedral), having had issue, one son and three daughters – see  Ethiopia (Shoa).
• 4) Woizero Zawditu (d/o Debritu). m. as his first wife, H.E. Ras Bitwodad Makonnen Endalkachew, OBE (b. at Addisge, 16^th February 1890; m. second, at Holy Trinity Church, Jerusalem, June 1936, Woizero Abonash Takla-Mariam, and d. at Addis Ababa, 27^th February 1963, leaving further issue - see Shoa), son of BalambarasEndalkachew Abreque, by his second wife, Woizero Abonash Takla-Mariam, daughter of Ato Takla-Mariam. She d. 28^th December 1935, having had issue, sixteen children, of whom only one son and one daughter survived:
  • a) H.E. Lij Endalkachew Makonnen, GCMG (1.2.1965), CVO (14.10.1954). b. at Addis Ababa, 27^th September 1926, educ. Oxford. Minister for Posts & Communication, Ambassador to the Court of St James's, Permanent Rep. to the UN 1966, Prime Minister 28^th Feb-22^nd Jul 1974. Vice-Presdt. World Alliance of Young Men's Christian Assocs. (YMCA). Hon. DLL Springfield Coll. (Massachusetts, USA). He was k. by the Derge, at Addis Ababa, 23^rd November 1974.
  • a) Woizerit Berhane Makonnen.

1902 - Ras Betsab, Viceroy of Gojjam. Appointed May 1902.

[1914 - 1916 included in the Kingdom of Zion (comprisong Tigray, Gondar, Gojjam and of Semien) under Negus Mikael, of Wollo].

Copyright© Christopher Buyers

1907 - 1932 H.H. Le'ul-Ras Hailu Takla-Haymaynot [Abba Hayal], Prince of Gojjam, KBE (c 8.7.1924). b. 1875, as Seyun Adal, fourth son of H.H.Negus Takla Haymanot, King of Gojjam, by Woizero Wosen. Governor of Mecha 1896-1901, Gojjam 1907-1932 (Vice-Governor 1901). Granted the personal title Le'ul Ras together with the style of His Highness, 1^st November 1930. Sentenced to death (commuted to life inprisonment) for helping Lij Yasu to escape from confinement at Fikke in 1931. Released by the Italians in 1936, and sent to pacify Gojjam Surrended to Emperor Haile Selassie and confined at Addis Ababa 1941-1950. Rcvd: GC of the Orders of the Seal of Solomon, Star of Ethiopia, Polar Star of Sweden (10.6.1924), etc. m. (first) 1896 (div.) Woizero Askala Mariam, daughter of H.E. Ras Bitwodad Mangasha Atikam, Governor of Gojjam, by his first wife, Woizero Tenagne Walatta Rufael, a descendant of King Sahle Selassie of Shoa. m. (second) 12^th April 1909, as her third husband (div. 1910), H.H. Princess (Le'ult) Assalafetch (b. at Gondar, 1885; m. fourth, Dejazmatch Makureya Girmane. m. fifth, 1934, Dejazmatch Gezaw Gemma, and d. at Addis Ababa, 12^th August 1935, bur: at St Mary's Church, Entotto), former wife of H.E. Dejazmatch Yilma Makonnen, sometime Governor of Harar, and of H.H. Ras Bitwodad Damessaw Nasibu, of Wollega, sometime Regent of Ethiopia, and daughter of JantirarWolde Hanna, of Ambasel, by Woizero Desta, younger daughter of H.E. Dejazmatch Betul Haile Mariam, sometime Governor of Semien. He d. at Addis Ababa, 2^nd May 1951, having had issue, three sons and three daughters:

• 1) Lij Alem Seggad Hailu.
• 2) Lij Yohannes Hailu.
• 3) Fitawrari Admasu Hailu. 
• 1) Woizero Sabla Wangel (d/o Askala Mariam). m. (first) April 1910 (div. 1916) H.M. Iyasu V, Elect of God, King of Kings of Ethiopia, GCVO (b. at Tanta, 3^rd February 1898; d. at Gara Muleta, 25^th November 1935), son of H.H. Negus Mikael, King of Zion, alias Imam Muhammad 'Ali, by his wife, Woizero Shoa Reged, daughter of H.M. Emperor Menelik II, Elect of God, Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah and King of Kings of Ethiopia, GCB, GCMG. m. (second) Dejazmatch Yigezu Behapte (b. 1873), Minister for Commerce 1918, Governor and Mayor of Addis Ababa, son of Negadrras Behapte. m. (third) Dejazmatch Mangasha Jimbirre (b. 24^th May 1881; d. 15^th April 1950), of Faguta. She d. 1970, having had issue.
• 2) Woizero Dinqinash. m. Ras Getachew Abate (b. ca. 1895; d. 1950), son of Ras Abate, Wagshum.
• 3) Woizero Sahay Worq. m. Haile Mikael. She had issue, two sons:
• a) Mammo Haile Mikael. He d. 1945.
• b) Kebbede Haile Mikael. He d. 1945