Sebhat Aregawi(died 28 February 1914) was aRasofAgame.He was appointed governor ofAgamebyEmperorTewodros IIin 1859, and his province was expanded by EmperorYohannes IVto includeAdigrat.EmperorMenelik IIinvested Sebhat with the title ofRasin 1892.
| Sebhat Aregawi [ሰብሃት አረገዊ]Error: {{Lang}}: invalid parameter: |links= (help) | |
|---|---|
| Dejazmach | |
| Shum ofAgame | |
| Reign | 1892–1914 |
| Predecessor | Aregawi Sabagadis |
| Successor | Kassa Sebhat |
| Born | 1870s Adigrat,Agame,Tigray Province,Ethiopian Empire |
| Died | 28 February 1914 |
| Issue | DejazmatchAsgedom Sebhat WoizeroGereda Sebhat WoizeroLemlem Sebhat WoizeroHareya Sebhat WoizeroSemret Sebhat EmebetAbebech Sebhat Shum AgameDesta Sebhat WoizeroZenebech Sebhat Ras Kassa Sebhat DejazmatchAyele Sebhat LijGebrezgi Sebhat |
| House | House of Agame |
| Father | DejazmachAregawi Sabagadis |
Biography
editRasSebhat was the son ofDejazmatchAregawi SabagadisofAgame,and grandson of the popular governor ofTigray,RasSabagadis Woldu.At the time he challengedRasMangesha Yohannes,who had succeeded his slain father Yohannes IV and was asserting his supremacy in Tigray, Sebhat was described as "a clever and intelligent man in his early forties, an excellent administrator but not a distinguished warrior."[1]
Sebhat submitted to the overlordship ofRasMangesha 11 September 1889, following the death of Emperor Yohannes IVRasMangesha's father. However, on 31 October of that year he secretly informed Eritrean governorAntonio Baldisserathat 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 fromAdwaand returned to his father. Sebhat refused to send him back and war seemed inevitable.[2]
In 1914LijIyasu V,the uncrowned successor to Emperor Menilik II, was reported to have promised Agame to Gebre Selassie, which would have made Gebre Selassie the most powerful ruler in Tigray. Disturbed by the rumour, Sebhat used Gebre Selassie's friendship with the Italians to arouse suspicions inAddis Ababa,claiming that Selassie was intriguing with the Italians with the intention of defying Iyasu. Without investigating the basis of the accusations, Iyasu ordered Gebre Selassie to the capital to explain his position. Gebre Selassie refused, and in desperation tried to start a war between the Italian colony of Eritrea and Ethiopia, but the Italians refused to respond. By February 16 Addis Ababa declared Selassie to be in rebellion.[3]
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
editSebhat Aregawi is remembered as a hero in eastern Tigray. The main hospital inAdigratis named after him: Adigrat Ras Sebhat Hospital.[5]
References
edit- ^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.Retrieved2017-05-28.