LEUL-RAS KASSA HAYLU
Leul-Ras Kassa Haylu (August 7, 1881 – November 16, 1956) was a 20th-century governor, military commander, imperial councillor, and author.
His father, Dajazmach Haylu Walda-Kiros, was the half-brother of Emperor Takla Giyorgis, while his mother, Wayzaro Tessame, was the daughter of Ras Darge Sahla Selasse, and grand-daughter of King Sahla Selasse. Kassa himself was educated at the court of Emperor Menilek II.
He began his career as a district governor of Salalé in northern Shawa in 1907. He remained neutral in politics during the troubled years from 1909-16, and was therefore hardly affected by the intermittent reshuffling of posts.
In 1916, he joined the forces allied against the deposed prince Lej Iyasu Mikael and was given the title of Ras. He took part in the military campaign which followed, and later had more territory added to his governorship. His relations with the central government were always friendly, and he was raised to the status of Leul-Ras (prince) at the coronation of Emperor Haile Selassie in 1930.
In 1935-36, with the rank of field marshal, he led part of the Ethiopian army against the invading Italian Fascist forces on the northern front. After the Ethiopian defeat, he went into exile in Jerusalem. He returned in 1941 with the emperor. He acted as a crown councillor until his death in 1956. He was also the author of several books, mostly on religious themes.
BAIRU TAFLA
