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NATURALLY, we were supposed to indulge the amazing life of Empress Menen’s on the exact day she “died”. But how could this be when every Black African was soaked and absorbed in a Eurocentric event.
When the struggle for Black self-determination is studied, the focus is often on the brave and courageous men who gave their lives for the independence and improvement of their country. Even so, little study has been given to the black women who made vital contributions in the fight for freedom and equality.
Every great man in history came into the world from the womb of a woman. Historically black women have been the pillar of strength throughout Africa and the Diaspora. Without examining the contributions made by black women throughout the ages, the full story of the Black experience and struggle cannot be told.
Her Imperial Majesty Empress Menen was born on April 3 1891 (25 Megabit 1883 Ethiopian Calendar) in the Egua village of the Ambassel region of the Wollo province. She was baptized, Wolete (Wolata) Giorgis in the St Delba Church. Her name Menen was given for the most beautiful respected ladies.
Empress Menen was known to be kind, compassionate and devoutly God fearing. She knew her native language of Amharic and was a well read and skillful writer, having gained various academic qualifications including home economics and spinning, an Ethiopian tradition. It must be known that during her uprising, girls and women had no equal opportunities at acquiring the basics of life.
Wayzaro Menen was married to Dejazmatch Tafari, in a church ceremony on July 30, 1911, in the province of Harar. She travelled from Addis Ababa to Harar where people wished the couple to be like the sacred marriage of Abraham and Sarah.
Emperor Haile Selassie as Governor of Harar in his 20th year said of Her Imperial Majesty “…Her character is such that, apart from goodness, there is no evil or malice in her. Ever since we were married, we live together, by virtue of her being fertile in one family, sharing joy as well as sadness…”
For the first time in Ethiopian History, Wayzaro Menen was crowned Queen of Queens, alongside Negus Tafari, King of Kings on November, 2 1930 at St Giorgis Church Addis Ababa. On Coronation Day, Itegue Menen was given a gold and ivory scepter. On the entablature at the bottom of the scepter is engraved the ineffable name of God and the Pentacle King Solomon.
It is noted that Haile Selassie, set a new precedent for how women were viewed, by changing the course of Ethiopian History insisting that the Empress be Coronated on the same day as the Emperor and not three days later as was the custom. Both from the Solomon and Sheba lineage, “Prophecy has revealed that the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made Herself ready” – King Alpha and Queen Omega.
Empress Menen’s contributions to churches, schools, hospitals are widely recognised as unparalleled by any other woman in Ethiopian History. She was not just an Empress, leading a secluded life in a palace away from the people; she was a champion to many causes such as, building and visiting churches, schools, hospitals and social service institutions. Her Imperial Majesty sought to serve the people instead of demanding services from them.
In 1923, Empress Menen fulfilled her promise to Empress Taitu and invested large sums of money to completely build a church east of Addis Ababa, around Entoto Tigret region. Empress Taitu gave this project to Wayzaro Menen because she knew spiritually; Princess Menen would be Empress of Ethiopia in the future. Empress Taitu was wife to Emperor Menelik II and she fought triumphantly as a general and soldier in the Battle of Adowa.
In 1930, HIM founded The Itegue Menen School for Girls, the first girls’ school in Ethiopia.
She also constructed the St Hana Church at Furi on her estate. She gave a lot of acres of land to the priests and deacons of the church including urban land for residents.
In April 1957 Empress Menen celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Itegue Menen School for Girls. Over the years the school had shown progress, giving chances for many girls to be educated, students received scholarships to foreign countries; in this the school had fulfilled one of its objectives. Empress Menen delivered a blissful speech on the occasion:
“HIM Emperor of Ethiopia believes that there is nothing better for the development of a country’s progress and development except education. In this regard on His willingness He built many schools for boys. But girls that are left behind without having regular education may have disadvantages.
Therefore, I opened this school for the merit of girls twenty-five years ago since I believe that girls should learn as boys. This school was discontinued by the invasion of the fascist Italian but by the grace of God it resumed its functions after the victory.
Many girls have been given a chance to be promoted at the higher level of education after graduating in this school. Many of them are working in government offices and private organisations.
In my country, girls have the chance to learn a good standard of education; I hope they will contribute a lot as their brothers. There were no more than fifty students when the school opened twenty-five years. But today there are approximately 1300 students…”
The benevolent works of Her Imperial Majesty cannot all be written down, we have simply scratched the surface. We hope all Africans, females especially, emulate and embrace the inspiring mighty deeds of Itegue Menen, The Mother of Africa (Mama Africa).
Above all, instead of Valentine’s day, we anxiously hope and pray that the February 14 be recognised as Empress Menen Day!
By Ibo Foroma
References:
Empress Menen by Yared Gebre Michae of The Ethiopian Orthodox Tawehido Church
Revelation – The Last Prophecy by Sheba Amlak
Commercial Book of Ethiopia (Ministry of Information)
Rastafari Livity by Ras Kwende Anbessa – Ebanks.
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