Sebhat Aregawi
Sebhat Aregawi ሰብሃት አረገዊ | |
---|---|
Dejazmach | |
Shum of Agame | |
Reign | 1892–1914 |
Predecessor | Aregawi Sabagadis |
Successor | Kassa Sebhat |
Born | 1870s Adigrat, Agame, Tigray Province, Ethiopian Empire |
Died | 28 February 1914 |
Issue | Dejazmatch Asgedom Sebhat Woizero Gereda Sebhat Woizero Lemlem Sebhat Woizero Hareya Sebhat Woizero Semret Sebhat Emebet Abebech Sebhat Shum Agame Desta Sebhat Woizero Zenebech Sebhat Ras Kassa Sebhat Dejazmatch Ayele Sebhat Lij Gebrezgi Sebhat |
House | House of Agame |
Father | Dejazmach Aregawi Sabagadis |
Sebhat Aregawi (died 28 February 1914) was a Ras of Agame. He was appointed governor of Agame by Emperor Tewodros II in 1859, and his province was expanded by Emperor Yohannes IV to include Adigrat. Emperor Menelik II invested Sebhat with the title of Ras in 1892.
Biography
Ras Sebhat was the son of Dejazmatch
Sebhat submitted to the overlordship of Ras Mangesha 11 September 1889, following the death of Emperor Yohannes IV Ras Mangesha's father. However, on 31 October of that year he secretly informed Eritrean governor Antonio Baldissera that he preferred Menilek's rule to Mangesha Yohannes.
While fighting with Mangesha over rulership of Tigray, in June 1890 he sent his own son Dasta as a hostage, in an effort to create peace. In August of that year Dasta fled from Adwa and returned to his father. Sebhat refused to send him back and war seemed inevitable.[2]
In 1914 Lij
After much persuasion, and with promises to not be harassed by Sebhat, Gebre Selassie did travel to the capital. At the same time, it was reported that Ras Sebhat had occupied some of Selassie's territory. Sebhat and Gebre Selassie became great rivals.[4]
On 24 February, when Gebre Selassie was three days away from Adwa, he received word that Sebhat was marching there. Gebre Selassie turned back, and the next day battled with Sebhat at Zebewu, halfway between Adwa and Adigrat. Four days later Sebhat and two of his sons travelling with him were assassinated.
Popular culture
Sebhat Aregawi is remembered as a hero in eastern Tigray. The main hospital in Adigrat is named after him: Adigrat Ras Sebhat Hospital.[5]
References
- ^ Haggai Erlich, Ras Alula and the Scramble for Africa: a Political Biography: Ethiopia & Eritrea 1875-1897 (Red Sea Press), pp. 161 - 162
- ^ Ibid.
- ^ Dodds to Grey, Addis Ababa, 16 Feb 1914, F.O. 401/16
- ^ Salvago - Raggi to Minister, Asmara, 20, 21 Feb 1914, F.O. 401/16.
- ^ "Ādīgrat Ras Sibhat Hospītal (hospital)". et.geoview.info. Retrieved 2017-05-28.