Tewabech Ali
Encyclopedia
Tewabech Ali was the first wife of Kassa Haile, better known as Emperor
Tewodros II of Ethiopia
. They were married in 1848.
Although she was offered as a bride to Kassa by her grandmother, EmpressMenen Liben Amede(consort of Emperor Yohannes III and mother of the Regent Ras Ali), entirely for political reasons, he loved her and faithful to her until her death. This is shown by the fact they made their wedding official by partaking of Communion
together at the same time he was proclaimed Emperor.
She died in Wollo
while Emperor Tewodros was campaigning against rebels in that province. They had no children, and after she died reportedly his British friend John Bell
had to persuade Tewodros that a second marriage was not against the teaching of the Bible
.
Some historians like Paul B. Henze, believe Tewabech had a positive effect on Tewodros, and his violent and erratic behavior in the last ten years of his reign was due in part to the lack of advice from her, and other advisors like John Bell and Walter Plowden
(who were killed in 1860).
Emperor of Ethiopia
The Emperor of Ethiopia was the hereditary ruler of Ethiopia until the abolition of the monarchy in 1974. The Emperor was the head of state and head of government, with ultimate executive, judicial and legislative power in that country...
Tewodros II of Ethiopia
Tewodros II of Ethiopia
Tewodros II was the Emperor of Ethiopia from 1855 until his death....
. They were married in 1848.
Although she was offered as a bride to Kassa by her grandmother, EmpressMenen Liben Amede(consort of Emperor Yohannes III and mother of the Regent Ras Ali), entirely for political reasons, he loved her and faithful to her until her death. This is shown by the fact they made their wedding official by partaking of Communion
Eucharist
The Eucharist , also called Holy Communion, the Sacrament of the Altar, the Blessed Sacrament, the Lord's Supper, and other names, is a Christian sacrament or ordinance...
together at the same time he was proclaimed Emperor.
She died in Wollo
Wollo
Wollo was a historical region and province in the northeastern part of Ethiopia, with its capital city at Dessie. The province was named after the Wollo Oromo, who settled in this part of Ethiopia in the 17th century...
while Emperor Tewodros was campaigning against rebels in that province. They had no children, and after she died reportedly his British friend John Bell
John Bell
- Law and politics :* John Bell , English barrister* John Bell , professor of law and Fellow of Pembroke College, Cambridge* John Bell , Member of Parliament from Thirsk...
had to persuade Tewodros that a second marriage was not against the teaching of the Bible
Bible
The Bible refers to any one of the collections of the primary religious texts of Judaism and Christianity. There is no common version of the Bible, as the individual books , their contents and their order vary among denominations...
.
Some historians like Paul B. Henze, believe Tewabech had a positive effect on Tewodros, and his violent and erratic behavior in the last ten years of his reign was due in part to the lack of advice from her, and other advisors like John Bell and Walter Plowden
Walter Plowden
Walter Chichele Plowden was the British consul at Massawa on the Red Sea coast from 1848 to his death. He played a role in Ethiopian politics in the mid 19th-century: during his tenure he cultivated the friendship of first Ras Ali, and later the Ethiopian emperor Tewodros II. J. R...
(who were killed in 1860).