Misplaced Pages

Gugsa Welle: Difference between revisions

Article snapshot taken from[REDACTED] with creative commons attribution-sharealike license. Give it a read and then ask your questions in the chat. We can research this topic together.
Browse history interactively← Previous editNext edit →Content deleted Content addedVisualWikitext
Revision as of 17:14, 29 March 2009 editMkpumphrey (talk | contribs)25,014 edits →See also← Previous edit Revision as of 23:21, 29 March 2009 edit undoColonies Chris (talk | contribs)Autopatrolled, Extended confirmed users, Pending changes reviewers, Rollbackers445,715 editsm sp, date & link fixes using AWBNext edit →
Line 1: Line 1:
] '''Gugsa Welle''' (born ]; died ] ]), also known as '''Gugsa Wolie''' and '''Gugsa Wele''', was an ] and a member of the ] of the ]. He represented a provincial ruling elite who were often at odds with the Ethiopian central government. ] '''Gugsa Welle''' (1875 – 31 March 1930), also known as '''Gugsa Wolie''' and '''Gugsa Wele''', was an ] and a member of the ] of the ]. He represented a provincial ruling elite who were often at odds with the Ethiopian central government.


==Biography== ==Biography==
Line 7: Line 7:
Taytu Betul arranged the marriage of Gugsa Welle to ], the eldest daughter Emperor ] and an earlier wife. Gugsa and Zewditu were married in 1900, six years before her elevation to Empress. Gugsa was her fourth husband.<ref name=Prouty-220>Chris Prouty, ''Empress Taytu and Menilek II: Ethiopia 1883-1910'' (Trenton: The Red Sea Press, 1986), p. 220</ref> Upon his marriage to Zewditu, Gugsa Welle was immediately promoted to ''Ras'' over Begemder Province. Prouty indicates that this alliance allowed Empress Taytu to extend her influence over this important province. Despite the political nature of this marriage, the two were happy. However, in 1909, Gugsa was summoned to ] by Menelek II to respond to the charge that he had mistreated Zewditu.<ref>Prouty, ''Empress Taytu'', pp. 219ff</ref> Taytu Betul arranged the marriage of Gugsa Welle to ], the eldest daughter Emperor ] and an earlier wife. Gugsa and Zewditu were married in 1900, six years before her elevation to Empress. Gugsa was her fourth husband.<ref name=Prouty-220>Chris Prouty, ''Empress Taytu and Menilek II: Ethiopia 1883-1910'' (Trenton: The Red Sea Press, 1986), p. 220</ref> Upon his marriage to Zewditu, Gugsa Welle was immediately promoted to ''Ras'' over Begemder Province. Prouty indicates that this alliance allowed Empress Taytu to extend her influence over this important province. Despite the political nature of this marriage, the two were happy. However, in 1909, Gugsa was summoned to ] by Menelek II to respond to the charge that he had mistreated Zewditu.<ref>Prouty, ''Empress Taytu'', pp. 219ff</ref>


''Ras'' Gugsa came close to becoming the power behind the throne during the intrigue that characterized the years of Emperor ]'s senility, for in 1909 the Empress Taytu made a serious effort to prevent the accession of ''Lij'' ] as Menelik's successor. This led to the rumor that Empress Taytu and her brother, ''Ras'' Wele Betul, intended to move the capital to ] and make ''Ras'' Gugsa Emperor.<ref>Prouty, ''Empress Taytu'', p. 325</ref> However, the ]n aristocracy agreed that their authority, positions and honors depended on obeying Menelik's wishes, and they united behind Iyasu as the successor.<ref>Harold G. Marcus, ''The Life and Times of Menelik II: Ethiopia 1844-1913'', (Lawrenceville: Red Sea Press, 1995), pp. 236ff</ref> Despite this setback, ''Ras'' Gugsa initially supported the resulting status quo: when '']'' ] rebelled in ], Gugsa supported ''Dejazmach'' ] who was sent to suppress this threat, helping him to defeat ''Dejazmach'' Abraha in the ] on ].<ref>Marcus, ''Menelik II'', p. 240</ref> ''Ras'' Gugsa came close to becoming the power behind the throne during the intrigue that characterized the years of Emperor ]'s senility, for in 1909 the Empress Taytu made a serious effort to prevent the accession of ''Lij'' ] as Menelik's successor. This led to the rumor that Empress Taytu and her brother, ''Ras'' Wele Betul, intended to move the capital to ] and make ''Ras'' Gugsa Emperor.<ref>Prouty, ''Empress Taytu'', p. 325</ref> However, the ]n aristocracy agreed that their authority, positions and honors depended on obeying Menelik's wishes, and they united behind Iyasu as the successor.<ref>Harold G. Marcus, ''The Life and Times of Menelik II: Ethiopia 1844-1913'', (Lawrenceville: Red Sea Press, 1995), pp. 236ff</ref> Despite this setback, ''Ras'' Gugsa initially supported the resulting status quo: when '']'' ] rebelled in ], Gugsa supported ''Dejazmach'' ] who was sent to suppress this threat, helping him to defeat ''Dejazmach'' Abraha in the ] on 9 October.<ref>Marcus, ''Menelik II'', p. 240</ref>


However, once Iyasu was secure as Emperor the following year, ''Ras'' Gugsa was arrested "on a murder charge so patently false that he ultimately regained his freedom." By late April, he was in chains in Addis Ababa and "no longer a potential threat to the government."<ref>Marcus, ''Menelik II'', p. 246</ref> This confinement proved to be cruel. According to Prouty, Gugsa "was kept in chains for so long that his legs became swollen and the metal cut into his flesh." Zewditu begged Iyasu's short-lived ], ''Ras'' ]<ref>Tessema Nadew died within a year of becoming Regent for Iyasu.</ref>, to ease conditions for Gugsa. But it was not until 1915, when she was relegated to ], that Gugsa was released and the two were allowed to live together.<ref>Prouty, ''Empress Taytu'', pp. 333, 340</ref> However, once Iyasu was secure as Emperor the following year, ''Ras'' Gugsa was arrested "on a murder charge so patently false that he ultimately regained his freedom." By late April, he was in chains in Addis Ababa and "no longer a potential threat to the government."<ref>Marcus, ''Menelik II'', p. 246</ref> This confinement proved to be cruel. According to Prouty, Gugsa "was kept in chains for so long that his legs became swollen and the metal cut into his flesh." Zewditu begged Iyasu's short-lived ], ''Ras'' ]<ref>Tessema Nadew died within a year of becoming Regent for Iyasu.</ref>, to ease conditions for Gugsa. But it was not until 1915, when she was relegated to ], that Gugsa was released and the two were allowed to live together.<ref>Prouty, ''Empress Taytu'', pp. 333, 340</ref>


In 1916, a successful '']'' against Iyasu resulted in his being deposed and Zewditu being proclaimed Empress. Iyasu's father, ], then invaded Shewa Province with an army to restore Iyasu. Mikael was defeated in the ]. With Iyasu deposed, Zewditu became ] to the young ]. In 1916, a successful '']'' against Iyasu resulted in his being deposed and Zewditu being proclaimed Empress. Iyasu's father, ], then invaded Shewa Province with an army to restore Iyasu. Mikael was defeated in the ]. With Iyasu deposed, Zewditu became ] to the young ].


Empress Zewditu and Gugsa were restored to good graces. But the Shewan leadership forced Gugsa to divorce Zewditu and he was sent to Gondar where he served once again as Governor of Begemder. Gugsa also served as as Governor of ] at this time.<ref>Marcus, ''Haile Sellassie I, The Formative years: 1892-1936'', (Lawrenceville: Red Sea Press, 1996), p. 28</ref> Empress Zewditu and Gugsa were restored to good graces. But the Shewan leadership forced Gugsa to divorce Zewditu and he was sent to Gondar where he served once again as Governor of Begemder. Gugsa also served as Governor of ] at this time.<ref>Marcus, ''Haile Sellassie I, The Formative years: 1892-1936'', (Lawrenceville: Red Sea Press, 1996), p. 28</ref>


The crowning of Tafari Makonnen was controversial. He occupied the same territory as Zewditu rather than occupying a far off region in the empire. In ] two monarchs, even with one being the vassal and the other the Emperor (in this case Empress), had never occupied the same location as their seat. Conservatives, including ], agitated to redress this perceived insult to the the Empress and to dignity of the crown. This state of agitation ultimately lead to Ras Gugsa's rebellion in 1930. Gugsa saw Zewditu remaining as Empress and himself as the future Emperor. However, it should be noted that Empress Zewditu did not authorize or openly support his rebellious actions. The crowning of Tafari Makonnen was controversial. He occupied the same territory as Zewditu rather than occupying a far off region in the empire. In ] two monarchs, even with one being the vassal and the other the Emperor (in this case Empress), had never occupied the same location as their seat. Conservatives, including ], agitated to redress this perceived insult to the Empress and to dignity of the crown. This state of agitation ultimately lead to Ras Gugsa's rebellion in 1930. Gugsa saw Zewditu remaining as Empress and himself as the future Emperor. However, it should be noted that Empress Zewditu did not authorize or openly support his rebellious actions.


Gugsa Welle raised an army and marched from his governorate at ] towards the capital. But he was met near the border by the Army of the Center (''Mahel Sefari'') and he was defeated and killed at the ].<ref>Marcus, ''Haile Sellassie I'', p. 95</ref> News of Gugsa Welle's defeat and death had hardly spread through Addis Ababa when the Empress died suddenly on ]. Although it was long rumored that the Empress was poisoned upon the defeat of her husband,<ref>Sorenson, John. ''Ghosts and Shadows: Construction of Identity and Community in an African Diaspora''. 2001, page 34.</ref> or alternately that she died from shock upon hearing of the death of her estranged yet beloved husband,<ref>Brockman, Norbert C. ''An African Biographical Dictionary''. 1994, page 381.</ref> it has since been documented that the Empress succumbed to a flu-like fever and complications from ].<ref>Henze, Paul B. ''Layers of Time: A History of Ethiopia'' (New York: Palgrave, 2000), p. 205.</ref> Gugsa Welle raised an army and marched from his governorate at ] towards the capital. But he was met near the border by the Army of the Center (''Mahel Sefari'') and he was defeated and killed at the ].<ref>Marcus, ''Haile Sellassie I'', p. 95</ref> News of Gugsa Welle's defeat and death had hardly spread through Addis Ababa when the Empress died suddenly on 2 April. Although it was long rumored that the Empress was poisoned upon the defeat of her husband,<ref>Sorenson, John. ''Ghosts and Shadows: Construction of Identity and Community in an African Diaspora''. 2001, page 34.</ref> or alternately that she died from shock upon hearing of the death of her estranged yet beloved husband,<ref>Brockman, Norbert C. ''An African Biographical Dictionary''. 1994, page 381.</ref> it has since been documented that the Empress succumbed to a flu-like fever and complications from ].<ref>Henze, Paul B. ''Layers of Time: A History of Ethiopia'' (New York: Palgrave, 2000), p. 205.</ref>


==See also== ==See also==
Line 27: Line 27:


{{DEFAULTSORT:Gugsa Welle}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Gugsa Welle}}
] ]
] ]
] ]

Revision as of 23:21, 29 March 2009

Ras Gugsa Welle (1875 – 31 March 1930), also known as Gugsa Wolie and Gugsa Wele, was an army commander and a member of the royalty of the Ethiopian Empire. He represented a provincial ruling elite who were often at odds with the Ethiopian central government.

Biography

Gugsa Welle was born in Marto in Yejju Province in the Empire of Ethiopia. He was the son of Welle Betul and the nephew of Empress Taytu Betul. His half-sister, Kefey Welle, was the second wife of Ras Mangesha Yohannes, the natural son of Emperor Yohannes IV. Prouty quotes Bairu Tafla's favorable opinion of Gugsa as:

"one of the most enlightened men of the Ethiopian nobility, a renowned poet, great lover of books, and pious and fair in the administration of Begemder."

Taytu Betul arranged the marriage of Gugsa Welle to Zewditu, the eldest daughter Emperor Menelek II and an earlier wife. Gugsa and Zewditu were married in 1900, six years before her elevation to Empress. Gugsa was her fourth husband. Upon his marriage to Zewditu, Gugsa Welle was immediately promoted to Ras over Begemder Province. Prouty indicates that this alliance allowed Empress Taytu to extend her influence over this important province. Despite the political nature of this marriage, the two were happy. However, in 1909, Gugsa was summoned to Addis Ababa by Menelek II to respond to the charge that he had mistreated Zewditu.

Ras Gugsa came close to becoming the power behind the throne during the intrigue that characterized the years of Emperor Menelik II's senility, for in 1909 the Empress Taytu made a serious effort to prevent the accession of Lij Iyasu as Menelik's successor. This led to the rumor that Empress Taytu and her brother, Ras Wele Betul, intended to move the capital to Gondar and make Ras Gugsa Emperor. However, the Shewan aristocracy agreed that their authority, positions and honors depended on obeying Menelik's wishes, and they united behind Iyasu as the successor. Despite this setback, Ras Gugsa initially supported the resulting status quo: when Dejazmach Abraha Araya rebelled in Tigray, Gugsa supported Dejazmach Abate Bwalu who was sent to suppress this threat, helping him to defeat Dejazmach Abraha in the Battle of Lake Ashenge on 9 October.

However, once Iyasu was secure as Emperor the following year, Ras Gugsa was arrested "on a murder charge so patently false that he ultimately regained his freedom." By late April, he was in chains in Addis Ababa and "no longer a potential threat to the government." This confinement proved to be cruel. According to Prouty, Gugsa "was kept in chains for so long that his legs became swollen and the metal cut into his flesh." Zewditu begged Iyasu's short-lived Regent, Ras Tessema Nadew, to ease conditions for Gugsa. But it was not until 1915, when she was relegated to Falle, that Gugsa was released and the two were allowed to live together.

In 1916, a successful coup d'état against Iyasu resulted in his being deposed and Zewditu being proclaimed Empress. Iyasu's father, Mikael of Wollo, then invaded Shewa Province with an army to restore Iyasu. Mikael was defeated in the Battle of Segale. With Iyasu deposed, Zewditu became Regent to the young Tafari Makonnen.

Empress Zewditu and Gugsa were restored to good graces. But the Shewan leadership forced Gugsa to divorce Zewditu and he was sent to Gondar where he served once again as Governor of Begemder. Gugsa also served as Governor of Semien at this time.

The crowning of Tafari Makonnen was controversial. He occupied the same territory as Zewditu rather than occupying a far off region in the empire. In Ethiopian history two monarchs, even with one being the vassal and the other the Emperor (in this case Empress), had never occupied the same location as their seat. Conservatives, including Balcha Safo, agitated to redress this perceived insult to the Empress and to dignity of the crown. This state of agitation ultimately lead to Ras Gugsa's rebellion in 1930. Gugsa saw Zewditu remaining as Empress and himself as the future Emperor. However, it should be noted that Empress Zewditu did not authorize or openly support his rebellious actions.

Gugsa Welle raised an army and marched from his governorate at Gondar towards the capital. But he was met near the border by the Army of the Center (Mahel Sefari) and he was defeated and killed at the Battle of Anchem. News of Gugsa Welle's defeat and death had hardly spread through Addis Ababa when the Empress died suddenly on 2 April. Although it was long rumored that the Empress was poisoned upon the defeat of her husband, or alternately that she died from shock upon hearing of the death of her estranged yet beloved husband, it has since been documented that the Empress succumbed to a flu-like fever and complications from diabetes.

See also

References

  1. Prouty, Empress Taytu, p. 165
  2. ^ Chris Prouty, Empress Taytu and Menilek II: Ethiopia 1883-1910 (Trenton: The Red Sea Press, 1986), p. 220
  3. Prouty, Empress Taytu, pp. 219ff
  4. Prouty, Empress Taytu, p. 325
  5. Harold G. Marcus, The Life and Times of Menelik II: Ethiopia 1844-1913, (Lawrenceville: Red Sea Press, 1995), pp. 236ff
  6. Marcus, Menelik II, p. 240
  7. Marcus, Menelik II, p. 246
  8. Tessema Nadew died within a year of becoming Regent for Iyasu.
  9. Prouty, Empress Taytu, pp. 333, 340
  10. Marcus, Haile Sellassie I, The Formative years: 1892-1936, (Lawrenceville: Red Sea Press, 1996), p. 28
  11. Marcus, Haile Sellassie I, p. 95
  12. Sorenson, John. Ghosts and Shadows: Construction of Identity and Community in an African Diaspora. 2001, page 34.
  13. Brockman, Norbert C. An African Biographical Dictionary. 1994, page 381.
  14. Henze, Paul B. Layers of Time: A History of Ethiopia (New York: Palgrave, 2000), p. 205.
Categories:
Gugsa Welle: Difference between revisions Add topic