TAYTU BETUL
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Taytu Betul (circa 1853-February 11, 1918), empress of Ethiopia, was the wife of Menilek II [reigned 1889-1913]. It was she who gave the name “Addis Ababa” to Menilek’s new capital.
PHOTO CAPTION: Taytu Betul. SOURCE: EA Library.
Taytu was born near Gondar. She became queen of Shawa when she married King Menilek II on April 29, 1883. She had been married several times before this, but had no children. Her four previous husbands included one of the generals of Téwodros II, whom she married in 1866; a Dajazmach in the service of Kassa, the future Yohannes IV, whom she married in 1870; a governor of one of Yohannes’ provinces; and a Dajazmach, whom she married in about 1882.
When Menilek was crowned emperor on November 3, 1889, Taytu was crowned empress two days later, on November 5. Thereafter Taytu (“the sun”‘) was officially addressed as “Light of Ethiopia.” and her seal carried these words. An intelligent woman, and a strong influence on her husband, Taytu was always at his side, and was conversant with Ethiopian law, religious doctrine, and internal and foreign affairs. She did not share her husband’s liberal attitude towards innovation, nor his interest in foreigners, although she liked the luxurious gifts the foreigners presented to her.
Visitors and diplomats often found her hostile, though she frequently said she approved of the marriage customs of Europe. Her hostility to Italians was well founded, as the misunderstandings over the Treaty of Wechalé (Ucciali), concluded in 1889 between Ethiopia and Italy, resulted in the war of 1895-96, in which she participated.
She managed her vast holdings astutely, and efficiently directed the sumptuous banquets which were customarily given for thousands of people at the Palace several times a week. She financed the first hotel in Addis Ababa, and herself gave the city its name (meaning “New Flower”‘) at the time of its foundation in 1887. She also helped to capitalize an early effort at forming an agricultural bank, hired the first dentist in the country, and was generous to her friends and harsh to her enemies.
Before her death on February 11, 1918, her reputation was tarnished because of a struggle for power over succession. She was the de facto ruler of Ethiopia during Menilek’s illness, until the Council of Ministers excluded her from meetings, and banished her to Menilek’s sick-room.
CHRIS PROUTY ROSENFELD
