WEBE, HAYLA MARYAM

Webé Hayla Maryam (1799-1867), a Ethiopian statesman, ruled over Tegré and Semén from 1831-55. He was the son of Dajazmach Hayla Maryam. In his youth he played a major role in extending his father’s dominion towards Walqayet and Woggara to the west of Teore in what is now Bagemder province. Though his father had named his third son, Dajazmach Marso, Webé’s half-brother, as his successor, Majate Walda Kidan, one of the influential men in Semén, summoned Webé from Walqayet and made him his father’s successor, forcing his brother to abdicate in June 1826.

PHOTO CAPTION: Webé Hayla Maryam. SOURCE: EA Library                                 

Because Ras Imam, the Galla ruler of Gondar, had given Dajazmach Maru, who ruled the area northwest of Lake Tana, control over his father’s dominion, Webé fought against both of them, but lost the battle. But Ras Imam eventually appointed Webé governor of Semen, and later of half of Woggara, as a reward for his gallant service in the war in 1827 against Dajazmach Goshu of Gojam. He also fought in support of Ras Imam when Maru, in league with Goshu, rebelled against him.

Following Maru’s death and Ras Mareye’s succession to power over Maru’s territories in 1827, Webé allied himself to Dajazmach Sibagadis, ruler of Tegré from 1818-31, by marrying his daughter. As a result, he was attacked and defeated in battle by Mareye. He then made a pact with Mareye against Sibagadis. Sibagadis replied by invading Semén, and appointing Dajazmach Marso as governor. Webé, with Mareye’s aid, later played a major role in the successful battle that was fought against Sibagadis in February 1831.

When the victorious army retreated, Webé was left in charge of Tegré, which he pacified after a series of wars which culminated in a victory at the battle of Faras May. Webé then attempted to establish friendly relations with foreign powers to enable him to obtain arms and technicians. He sent a mission to England, approached France, offering the French a port with a hinterland in exchange for these services, and even sent a mission to the Vatican. All these missions failed, however.

In 1841 he succeeded in obtaining a bishop from Egypt. In 1842, in alliance with Dajazmach Beru, son of Goshu of Gojam, he marched against Ras Ali Alula, ruler of most of central and northern Ethiopia from 1831-53, but met with short-lived success. For, later, Beru Aligaz, ruler of the Yaju Galla, captured Webé and restored Ali. During this period of unrest, his half-brother, Marso, seized Semén, while Tegré, under its traditional rulers, declared its independence. Webé, however, made peace with Ali, and was reinstated.

Webe fought with Ali against Kassa, later to become Emperor Tewodros II [reigned 1855-68]. But after Ali was defeated by Kassa in 1854, Webé agreed to Kassa’s request and sent him tributes, as well as the bishop. Kassa, however, nevertheless declared war on him, and defeated him on February 9, 1855.

Webé’s vast treasures were seized, and he was imprisoned. During his imprisonment, Téwodros married his daughter, and this event led to Webé obtaining his freedom and being reinstated. He was later put in prison once more, however, where he died in 1867, before he could be freed by the amnesty which followed the battle of Magdala in 1868.

   ZEWDE GABRE SELLASIE