Before the first sound of the church bells and morning voices of mullahs on the minarets, the animals begin to cry. The night city was occupied by them -- dogs, donkeys, roosters and ghosts of budas. The remote wilderness outside of the capital was becoming alive at the hour of early services at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity. The spirits were retiring for the day, the living creatures were awakening. They knew the hour to celebrate a new day. Totas, the small mad monkeys, led the chorus with the strongest voice of the former royal chimpanzee, Anko. The caged animals and their non-caged brothers in the trees felt no difference at this hour. First light, death of darkness, sundowns and sunrises are more powerful than human history. His Majesty Primal Time had his upper hand at the moment of the ancient battle between light and dark. Anko sang his old song. The court lion Anbeza cried right after he heard Anko; they remembered better times in the palace, when their voices were a sign to every human to be silent. Lion Anbeza knew human flesh -- it was long ago, but the old lion still remembered the taste of a man's blood in his mouth. Many believed that Anbeza was a man-buda, who decided to remain as a lion, not a man. Others said that he forgot how to transform from animal back to a human, or he couldn't do it because of new times and the curse on him for killing humans. But all agreed that Anbeza could talk, and one could hear him talking to himself from time to time when he had his special place in the courtroom, to the right of the throne. Anbeza was a king long before the humans.

Anko was a buda man, too. There was a golden ring in his left eye and he liked to wear gold rings on his fingers. He knew how to read, and he liked to read old books, but he never talked with people. Sometimes Anko would listen, staring straight into one's eyes, but he never answered anyone. That was the night when the two of them came to their master Menelik and told him the news.

.... "A large clock, one meter square, was later installed above one of the palace buildings. It was visible from afar, and chimed every hour, thus, it is reported, enabling the citizens, perhaps for the first time in their lives, to go to work on time." European history came to Africa. [The clock on the City Hall tower stopped working at the time of revolution. They say it was fixed in 1995; we left never seen the clock legs move.]

Menelik listened in silence and then sent Anbeza and Anko away. And then he prayed. Nobody knew what the great man was praying for. Emperor was a man of a few words.

The animals have cried. It was their duty to mark this magic moment. No revolution could reform the ritual. They, the animals, knew it and cried. The whole zoo of Africa was put into motion after Anbeza's cry. Giraffes, rhinoceroses, elephants cried as it was the hour of rebellion. It was the time of evening mass, the magic hour when buda-people changed themselves into hyenas and other ravenous beasts. The sleep of the people was deep and they saw nothing.

Ras Makonnen with his army was one day away from Harar when they woke him up this night. It was a boy.

Oh, the power of the Solomon! The black Hebrew. Not long ago, before the revolution, the budas were distinguished from others by a peculiarly formed gold ring, worn by the whole race, the kind of a ring one could see in the ears of hyenas. Besides the power that buda-people had of transforming themselves into wild animals, they used to possess the still more dangerous attribute of inflicting disease by directing a malign look towards their victims. The evil eye. After the revolution the gold disappeared, as well as the budas' rings, and nobody knew anymore who was a hyena-man and who wasn't. All became evil. One could spot budas only during this hour, called 'the hour between the wolf and the dog.' One had to have in hand a piece of dried meat "quanta" to see them. Persons of royal blood, of course, had this gift of transformation, as did blacksmiths. Good Christians believed that the hammer and sickle on red flags had something to do with budas, but Christians had no say anymore. There was no place for budas in Addis, all Falasha were airlifted to Israel.

Now they are somebody else's problems. Oh, how much the country lost!.. A century ago it was another Africa in a different world we hardly remember. There was no Addis Ababa but the fourth sacred place of Islam, ancient Harar, where the future Christian ruler of Ethiopian empire was born.

By the time of the festivities of the Virgin Resurrection and Assumption Tafari-boy was circumcized... and baptized.

His father, Ras Makonnen, was a governor of Harar, sent by the Emperor to the land of the Muslims. Wezero (Lady) Yeshimebet Ali was 11 when she married Makonnen in 1874 (?), waited long to give a birth in Ejersa Goro, in a town-village not far from the old walls of Harrar. Tafari didn't remember his mother, who died of unknown cause when he was two. She passed away on March 14, 1894, barely thirty years of age and was buried within the precinct of St. Michael's Church in the city of Harar. She was quiet as a woman and born Muslim, therefore nothing is known about her.

Upon his birth, Ras Makonnen took Tafari from his mother and put him in the custody of his loyal General Haile Selassie Abayneh. Tafari was schooled and tutored by a French Catholic Priest. Dr. Vitalien and, yes, Abba Samuel, an Orthodox priest. When Makonnen opened a hospital in the city, he met the physician Vitalien, who came from the French colony of Guadeloupe. Ras himself had been to Europe and hired his new French friend to teach Tafari and his cousin, Imru. After a few weeks he realized that one hour a day wouldn't be enough; that was the time when he contacted another friend of his, Abba Samuel, who became the closest man with Tafari and Imru till his death. Tafari was expected to be a prince. Many children of Ras Makonnen, something between dozen or two, weren't of the same fortune; nothing is know about them.

The first tragedy happened before he could understand it -- death of mother. He didn't remember her. Tafari grew up without mother. He was his father's son, in spirit and tradition. Ras Michael had big plans for his boy. He was his heir, his pride and his hope. Tafari began to govern at age of twelve. Father died when he was twelve.

The father's side of the family was known and powerful. Ras Makonnen Welde Mikael was the cousin and right hand of Mighty Menelik The Second (King from 1855 and Emperor since 1889). The family was from the core of the royal web of the Amhara dynasty which ruled Abyssinia for the last seven centuries. Tafari's grandmother was Princess Tenagna Warq. His great grandfather was King Sahle Sellassie of Shoa (Solomonic dynasty, 1813 1847). And the great, great, grandfather, Dej. Walde Mikael Walde Malakot was of the Doba and Manz nobility. Wezero Ehte Mariam, Tafari Makonnen's cousin from his father's side, had married Haile Sellassie Abayneh and given birth to Imru (who later became Ras Imru), when Tafari has four months old. The boys grew up as if they were twins, not known that the big history is ahead of them.

When in 1904 Lij. Teferi was made governor of a district in the province of Harrar, emperor Menelik completed his big wars, tripling the size of the country. It was a new Ethiopia not in name only. The Amhara highlanders became the dominant power in the Horn of Africa. Too many nations and tribes found themselves within the borders of this empire. African tribes of way south, deep inside the continent. The country has to be govern in new ways. The appointment of Tafari as a governor of Harar was designed by his father, who was Ras of the whole region of Harrarge, but as usual it had to sanctioned by the Emperor. As it was customary, the title of "Dedjazmatch" (field-marshal) was also conferred upon him. Becoming Dejazmatch (also a count or, literally, commander of the gate) at such early age happened because Ras Makonnen neared death and he had to entrust Tafari to his long time friend -- the Emperor. Menelik liked the boy. He saw the great future in Tafari and treated his as his own son. The old ruler had no son to pass the crown directly and Menelik asked Tafari to swear that he wouldn't challenge his grandson, Yasu, who became a heir to the throne. Tafari did swear. He didn't know that he lied. Menelik knew. He knew the prophecy.

The date of Menelik's death is not known, it took place somewhere in 1912 or 1913. The passing of the crown was always complicated and delicate matter. Yasu was young and the legacy of Menelik was so heavy. Tafari was a man who saw it all. He was a patient politician. He was ready, time wasn't. Not yet. Tafari's political career was an obvious success. A Ras at the age of 24 in 1916, and in 1917 -- regent. He became Negus of Shoa when he was 36 in 1928. Tafari was King and Emperor since his birth, but he had to wait for the world to learn about it.

He loved his father. Ras Makonnen was one of the best man of his time, he wanted his son to be a learned man, ready for new times. Tafari was his son among two dozens of bastards the Ras left behind, following a traditional manhood life. Tafari wasn't a boy, he was a prince.

When at age seven Tafari and Imru began their schooling, a foreigner taught them French, Orthodox monk -- Ge'ez. This was the beginning of the formal education. By the age of ten Tafari and Imru could read and write in Amharic and Ge'ez, an ancient Ethiopian language and the language of the church. Of course, they had to learn the art of warrior -- horse riding and shooting. The boys had to observe the business of governing, to be present at all the ceremonies, receptions, trails. The two were brought up unlike the sons of the princes of the ancient time. From Teodoros and Menelik the physical labor taboo for Abyssinian nobility was broken. The boys had to learn how to serve in order to know how to rule. Menelik himself put the first stone at the foundation of the St. Trinity church in his new capital. Work was a virtue of new leaders of Ethiopia.

Tafari knew that he had to serve his God and his country.

The country was a batch of relatives...

Dej. Haile Sellassie Abayneh was Tafari Makonnen's cousin by marriage. Throughout his life he was also one of Tafari's closest advisers and friends. (He accompanied Tafari to the coronation of King Edward VII in 1902 ?).

Arranged by the dying Menelik in 1911 at the age of nineteen Dedjazmatch Tafari was married to weyzero Menen who was the grand-daughter of Negus Mikael of Wello (province) and niece to Tafari's court rival and apparent heir to the throne (Yassu). Menelik wanted no fight between princes for the crown. The ancient way to prevent it was to lock them into close relations. The Power was a family business.

Marriage was a matter of politics. Each new born is another figure of the game of the ruling class....

The old house of Ethiopian culture was full of forgotten but religiously observed rituals. Culture, not a civilization with written rules, ruled that universe. CULTURE in pre-modernity had powers of totality. It wasn't separated from everyday's every step. It was a culture of specific thought and sensitivity; behavior was the culture. The Family went with the Emperor into exile to keep the immediate environment of Ethiopian culture.

Ethiopian or Abyssinia (Amhara) MARRIAGE had its own features:
The Emperor Menelik was the fifth husband for the Empress Taitu, and Menelik's daughter, the Empress Zauditu, was married four times. The Empress Mennen in her third marriage became the wife of Leul Ras Seged, whom she divorced to be given in marriage by her uncle Lij Iyassu to Dedjazmatch Tafari Makonnen, later Haile Sellassie.

The opening of the Suez Canal in 1869 made the Red Sea coast attractive to European countries. Drive for colonization was in full swing. Italy was determined to colonize Ethiopia because it already had the coastal Eritrea and Italian Somaliland. In 1872 they captured the port cities of Assab, and Massawa in 1885.

In 1889 Emperor Menelik signed the Treaty of Wichale, which was supposed to be a treaty of friendship and cooperation with Italy. But instead it was viewed two different ways, and the Italians claimed that it made all of Ethiopia their protectorate. As a result, war broke out in 1895. Ethiopian forces defeated the Italian forces in the famous Battle of Adwa in 1896. Italy was forced to recognize Ethiopia as an independent nation. Never-the-less, Eritrea stays under Italian protectorate. Not once the Eritrean shadow would cross the whole country from the North to the South.

His memories starts with the Ethiopian triumphs. He was four when the great battle of Adwa was won...

In the early 19th century, Italy itself was not a nation. By the time it came to the scene, most of Africa was under the control of the British and the French. The only free countries in Africa then, were Ethiopia and Liberia. With the encouragement of the British, the Italians captured the northern part of Ethiopia and started expanding south. In 1896, Emperor Menelik II signed the Treaty of Wochale. As it is customary for colonial powers to distort and sometimes change articles of treaties to fit their interest, the Italian version of article 17 of the Treaty of Wochale was completely different than the Ethiopian version.

The Ethiopian version of article 17 read "The Government of Ethiopia may solicit the help of the Italian Government in its affairs with European nations." The Italian version of the article read "The Government of Ethiopia should conduct its affairs with European Nation through the Italian Government." In effect making Ethiopia a protectorate of Italy. European nations immediately recognized Italy's claim and refused to deal with Ethiopia directly as an independent nation. Thus the stage was set for the battle.

As the result the Treaty was declared null and void and the Italians eager for new land to conquer, invaded Ethiopia. Menelik II assembled his army and met the invaders at Adwa. The Italians came with a large well equipped army. In a single day battle, the Italian army suffered one of its worst defeats. Two of the five generals were killed at Adwa. A third was captured, one general escaped alive with few survivors. The Ethiopians took more than 2000 Italians prisoners.

Ethiopian Army totaled 110,000. Under the direct command of Menelik -- 34,000, Empress 5,000, King Tekele Haimnot 5000, Ras Michael 14,000, Ras Mekonnen 15,000, Ras Bitwoded Mengesha 5000, Ras Wole 6000, Ras Mengesha Yohannes and Ras Alula 3000, Wagshum Guangul 10,000 and Fitaurary Gebyehu 13,000.

All of it was lost. 7000 dead, 2500 wounded. 2400 were taken prisoners. The Italians lost all their artillery. Among the dead -- General Arimondi, General Dabormida, Colonel Galiano, Colonel Campiano and General Albertoni was captured...

It was a wrong day to do it. "On the night of February 29, 1896, Barateri took advantage of the moonlight and the fact that the next day was a great feast of the Ethiopians - that of St. George's - to advance." The Italians marched into history which remembers its all -- victories and disgrace...

Warned by his scouts, Menelik moved forward although a third of his men were away for the holiday. By using mountain passes unknown to the Italians he crept upon them and surrounded them almost entirely. At 6:30 the next morning the Italians opened the battle. Their mountain guns played havoc with the massed Ethiopians. But Menelik, bringingup his modern quickfirers replied with vigor. Then he gave the order to advance on all fronts, and the Ethiopians sweeping down, pressed the Italians into such a closely packed mass that they could not use their guns. Many of their cannon were found after the fight, unfired. Thereafter the battle was a massacre. The Ethiopians speared the foe like sheep. By 3:00 P.M. the Italians were in full flight, leaving 12,000 dead.

The Ethiopians did not pursue them but the black subjects of Italy, taking advantage of the defeat, slaughtered the fugitives. The entire supplies, including the 56 cannon and 4,000,000 cartridges fell to Menelik, whose loss was between 3,000 and 5,000 slain. Thus, the Italian provided Menelik for his future campaigns.

1996. Taddele Gebre Hiwot, Servant of Ethiopian Letters.[2]

At the time of Adwa Tafari war four year old.

Oh, Ethiopia of Menelik, the rising star of Africa! He childhood was full of stories about victory of Adwa, conquests over the South. Father, Oromo (everything; present and past), Tafari's marriage, Yasu...

...Menelik with new Italian arms moved his huge army south to conquer Africa! "Oppressed Africans"? Oromo oppressed by Abyssinians were praying for the white man (British) to save them....[4]

That was the way for a boy to start his life, to dream, to strive. Yes, there were two man to model his mind after -- his father and Emperor Menelik.

...There is no monument for Adwa. Well, even the anniversary wasn't in Addis. Great emperor Menelik has his PR problems in today's Ethiopia.