WALDA, SELASSE

Ras Walda Selasse (1736-1816) was an Ethiopian statesman who ruled over Tegé from 1780 to 1816.

He grew up at the court of Ras Mikael Sehul, the de facto ruler of Ethiopia from the 1730s to the 1770s. He was appointed Baalgada, or governor, of Endarta, west of the Danakil Salt Depression, with the responsibility of protecting and taxing the salt caravans which passed through his region en route to Gondar.

His father, Dajazmach Kefle Yasus, who had ruled Tegré as a deputy of Ras Mikael Sehul, usurped power when he defeated the Ras in Bagemder in 1763. On his return in 1764, Ras Mikael Sehul killed Kefle Yasus, and his son Walda Selasse fled to the Wojirat region southeast of Megele, where he remained for two decades.

When Dajazmach Walda Gabreel died prematurely, Walda Selasse succeeded in defeating all his rivals and established his rule over Tegré in 1788. He made laws for his subjects which were still respected in the mid-1970s. He encouraged commerce, and received the British missions led by Henry Salt in 1804 and 1810. He extended his dominion southwards to Ale Weha by his wars against Dajazmach Goji Aligazi of Wallo, and constantly defended his rights against the Turks at Massawa.

He competed with Ras Gugsa of Bagemder for supremacy over the court at Gondar. He supported the claims of Emperor Salomon III (reigned 1796-97, 1799), and Takla Giyorgis (in power intermittently from 1779-99), whom he placed on the throne at various times, and was in return confirmed in the high post of Ras Bitwadad, or first peer of the realm. He was married to the daughters of Emperors Hezqeyas (reigned 1794) and Takla Giyorgis.

ZEWDE GABRE-SELLASSIE