GABRA SELASSÉ BARYA
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Dajazmach Gabra Selassé Barya Gabr (1872-October 14, 1930) was a warrior, governor, and counsellor of Emperor Menilek II.
PHOTO CAPTION: GABRA SELASSE BARYA SOURCE: EA Library
He came from an aristocratic family of Tegré, and was a close relative of Emperor Yohannes IV [reigned 1872-89]. He was educated at an Italian school in Asmara, but returned home without receiving any academic qualification. Under the Tegrean lords, however, he showed special interest and exceptional talent in military activities.
He joined Ras Sebehat of Agamé in Tegré, and was appointed Fitawrari, or commander of the army. Later he became allied with Ras Alula, who appointed him Dajazmach. After Alula’s death in 1897, he supported Ras Makonnen. He was made governor (“Nebura’ed”) of Adwa Aksum, and in 1906 gave assistance to the German Aksum archaeological expedition. He became Menilek’s counsellor until his dismissal by Ras Tassamma in 1910.
After his dismissal, Gabra Selassé returned home, and fought, defeated, and killed Ras Sebehat. He was; however, himself defeated afterwards by Dajazmach Seyum. He fled to Eritrea, where he stayed until Seyum rebelled against imperial authority. In 1917 he was invited to Addis Ababa to be reinstated, but as Seyum had submitted voluntarily in the meantime, Gabra Selassé was confined outside the capital. But in 1919 he was pardoned, and in 1920 participated in the campaign against the deposed Prince Lej Iyasu.
In 1921 he went to Jerusalem to settle an ecclesiastical question. On his return he was restored to his governorship, but was obliged to administer it through a representative. In 1924 he accompanied Ras Tafari, later to become Emperor Haile Selassie [reigned 1930-74], to Europe. He was afterwards permitted to resume his governorship, and improved the water supply of Aksum. Suspected of further involvement in politics, however, he was again confined outside Addis Ababa until his death in 1928.
BAIRU TAFLA
