Ras Makonnen 

Three countries have established long histories of never being colonized by a European power. In Asia, this distinction belongs to Thailand and Japan. And the third country to narrowly escape the fate of other citizens around the world was the ancient kingdom of Ethiopia. Ethiopia belongs to a continent that had been conquered, pillaged, and brutalized. Despite a brief period of Italian colonization in the 20th century (see below), Ethiopian resistance to foreign rule is a source of pride and inspiration for Africans and those of African descent. Ethiopians had to fight many times for this coveted independence while navigating the new arena of global politics. The Ethiopian hero who most influenced Tafari Makonnen, who later became known as Haile Selassie (but more on that later), the future emperor, was none other than Ras Makonnen Wolde Mikael Wolde Melekot (Ras Makonnen), his father (1852-1906).  Ras is an Ethopian honorific which can mean duke, king or ruler.

In the 19th century, Italians had finally completed a long trek to unification along their sunny peninsula. Even though they had established colonies in Italian Eritrea and Italian Somaliland, they knew that their domestic issues had caused them to miss out on much of the European rush to conquer the resource-rich continent of Africa. The Italians looked to neighboring Ethiopia, whose emperor, Menelik II, (reigned 1889-1913) negotiated with them to avoid bloodshed.

In 1894 The Italians reached an agreement with the Ethiopians but played a dirty colonial trick. There were two copies of the treaty, one in Italian, the other in Amharic which was the DOMINANT language of Ethiopia. The terms of the two copies were very different, the Italian version essentially declaring that Ethiopia agreed to become a colony of Italy.

War broke out in 1895 after some border skirmishes occurred. Italy, looking for an excuse to take a larger piece of the African pie, sent in an expeditionary force of 20,000 troops from neighboring Eritrea. Despite military strength and experience, they were about to be embarrassed in such a way that would result in the resignation of the Italian prime minister.

Menelik II had cleverly deceived the Italians during his negotiations with them, convincing the would-be conquerors that Ethiopia was a poor African nation with antiquated technology far behind European powers. Little did they know that fearing conflict would break out, the wily leader had been stockpiling weapons for years and had successfully lobbied the support of their fellow Orthodox nation, Russia, which had plenty of modern weapons to sell. The contrasting experience with Italy and Russia became an object lesson and left a lasting impression on Ras and Tafari Makonnen. The lesson was simple. Foreign powers were to be regarded suspiciously by Ethiopians, but they were also essential for Ethiopia’s future. Tafari Makonnen would see this reinforced several times over his lifetime. 

Upon Italian forces moving into Ethiopian territory, the emperor made the call to ‘raise the banners’ from the feudal lords throughout the country, and to assemble their private armies for the sake of national preservation. The Italians believed that he could raise a maximum of 30,000 soldiers to defend the whole country. 200,000 men answered the call, armed with swords, spears, modern rifles, and ancient pride.  

Ras Makonnen distinguished himself at the decisive Battle of Adwa in northeastern Ethiopia near the border with Eritrea.

Ras Makonnen Wolde Mikael Wolde Melekot (Ras Makonnen)

As a member of the royal house, Ras Makonnen personally and courageously led the cavalry charge from the vanguard position, the tip of the spear, and was wounded and subsequently rewarded. In the Battle of Adwa, the Ethiopian forces virtually destroyed the Italians, who were caught off guard by the appearance of modern military weapons along with inexplicable numbers. The surviving Italian regiments retreated to Eritrea and resentfully signed a peace accord. Italy would remember this humiliation but return next century.

As an act of appreciation for his bravery, Emperor Menelik II gave Ras Makonnen the fertile and ethnically diverse coffee-growing region of Harar to operate as a prince/regional governor.  

During his time as prince over the region, he demonstrated highly unusual qualities for individuals who belonged to this class and was described as open-minded, approachable, and curious about other people, cultures, and technologies. Although the country was predominantly Christian, it had a long-established tradition of honoring and respecting Muslims who had also lived in the land for generations. This reality was most poignant in Harar province, with its 35% – 40% Muslim population. Ras Makonnen reassured the people by building mosques and recognizing festivals and traditions sacred to the resident Muslims.  

He also lobbied to have the first railway built from neighboring French-controlled Djibouti to the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa. He constructed a hospital, funded schools, and imported the first printing press to the region during his rule. Like any royal Ethiopian, he was proud of the ancestral contributions of the nation’s forerunners. However, he also recognized a world outside of the country that needed to be actively engaged. Thus, he became the logical choice of Foreign minister and wholeheartedly accepted the honor.

Like any other influential figure from history, we need to explore the deep significance and impacts of their culture on their identity. Ethiopia is the 2nd oldest Christian nation on the planet, and the roots of religious practice and identity run very deep.

In Ethiopia, Christians receive two names. Tafari Makonnen was born on July 23, 1892, and was baptized under his Christian Orthodox name, Haile Selassie, which translates to ‘power of the trinity.’ 

His mother died when he was two, and his father remained a steady influence in his life. Finally, however, he understood that he couldn’t provide the necessary care that a young child needs while also completing his duties. 

He turned over the raising of Haile Selassie to the boy’s aunt and uncle while insisting that his education would be as broad as possible. He wanted him to have the same qualities that he had, an interest in the outside world, pride in personal identity, religious devotion, and vision.

Educated in Amharic, Ge’ez (liturgical language), and French, his first formal education was at a school run by Orthodox Friars. He was introduced to one of the formative, albeit briefly enjoyed, figures of his young life, Abba Samuel. As Ras Makonnen went off to battle the Italians, he entrusted his young son to the Orthodox priest. One day, several students and priests were crossing a lake when their boat began to take on water. After it became apparent that it would sink, they began to swim to the shore, which proved a difficulty for the young prince since he didn’t know how to swim. Abba Samuel saved his young charge but died in the process. Tafari Makonnen would narrowly survive and later honor the man who saved his life.

Many conservative Ethiopians viewed foreigners with suspicion, understandable considering what European powers had done across Africa and other continents around the globe. The young Tafari Makonnen would take on a more liberal view of foreign powers. He would eventually understand that if Ethiopia were to modernize, it would need to more shrewdly and intentionally engage the outside world.

Ras Makonnen officially made Tafari his heir apparent when the boy turned thirteen years and gave him the title “Dejazmatch” (Count). In a largely symbolic act, he also appointed him as a regional governor of Garamuleta within the province of Harar. The experienced leader, well-versed in Ethiopian feudal and regional politics, wanted to ensure that Dejazmatch Tafari Makonnen would learn under the watchful eye of himself and his family’s allies. However, as an insurance policy, the war hero also approached the current emperor of Ethiopia, Menelik II, with a special request. Ras Makonnen wanted to ensure that if anything happened to himself, that the emperor would swear a sacred vow, promising that Dejazmatch Tafari Makonnen would be taken into his care, educated, and protected. Several months later, Ras Makonnen died in a hospital room, most likely due to typhoid. Dejazmatch Tafari Makonnen was moved to Addis Ababa, capital of the Ethiopian empire, and placed under the care of its most important figure. Menelik II was an impressive leader by any standard, and Dejazmatch Tafari Makonnen would benefit from the aging emperor’s wisdom, skills, and patronage.

Dejazmatch Tafari joined other aristocratic youths in the capital and began to learn the art of statecraft and diplomacy. The two books that instructed all rulers of the country were “The Kebra Negast” (The Glory of Kings) and “The Feta Negast” (The King’s Law). The former is a list of Ethiopian imperial rulers that extends to the legendary encounter with Menelik I, the son of Solomon and Queen of Sheba. The latter book is a penal code that dates to the 16th century used as the foundation for Ethiopian law. Education also extended to military strategy, court protocols, riding, and fencing. As the young Dejazmatch learned and grew in wisdom, stature, and influence, he was appointed to posts, matching his development.

It’s a credit to his calculating and robust leadership that he made so many reforms while not upsetting these dominant figures. Dejazmatch Tafari Maknonnen made the following changes to the Harar:

• Instituted limits on taxation powers by feudal lords
• Curbed powers of these lords to exploit the general population
• Divided province into twelve regions
• Appointed capable leaders based on merit as opposed to ancestry
• Instituted courts of justice

Menelik II was dying and saw two leaders, both of the Solomonic bloodline, who stood out as his potential successor.  Dejazmatch Tafari Makonnen impressed many as he displayed wisdom and astuteness beyond his years. His cousin (and emperor’s grandson) Lij Iyasu also built a strong base, had the most direct bloodline to the emperor, and made a name for himself. Concerned for the potential for civil war after he passed away, the emperor summoned the two young men to swear a sacred oath in the presence of the archbishop that they would not interfere in one another’s rule and that they would work together after his passing. Lij Iyasu would be officially named heir to the throne, and Dejazmatch Tafari Makonnen would continue to lead the prestigious province of Harar.

The treaty between the two would last for several years. But in 1913, as Emperor Menelik II approached death and withdrew from public life, Lij Iyasu announced that he was no longer interested in sharing power. He was only fourteen years old and refused to accept anyone else’s guiding authority and essentially named himself the leader of Ethiopia… although he was never officially crowned. In 1916, seeing the growing popularity of his rival in Harar, he unexpectedly announced (while in Harar) that Dejazmatch Tafari Makonnen was now dismissed as governor and would be moved to a small, insignificant province, far from the seat of power. Unfortunately, Lij Iyasu was a poor leader who didn’t have the foresight or vision to understand the impact of this move. In his short spell as the leader, he had dismissed the older, experienced ministers and rulers while insulting and undermining the remaining advisors at every turn. As a result, he didn’t have the support needed to run the country. This moment was the ultimate catalyst that would provide Dejazmatch Tafari with a new opportunity and title.

Lij Iyasu was formally accused of apostasy and treason by a coalition of powerful princes and ministers and ultimately deposed on September 27, 1916. His aunt, Princess Zauditu (daughter of Menelik II), was proclaimed empress, and a new regent was put in place to become the de facto ruler of Ethiopia. He proudly relinquished his formal title of “Dejazmatch” and embraced his new regal title of Ras Tafari Makonnen.