RANKS IN ETHIOPIA

Northern Advocate, 26 October 1935, Page 9

RANKS IN ETHIOPIA

HOW THE TITLES RUN GUGSA WELL DOWN THE LIST. The Emperor Haile Selassie I is regarded as the commander-in-chief of the Abyssinian army. The second in command is the Emperor’s eldest son, the heir to the throne, the Maridazmatch Asfaou Wossan, at present governor of the province of Wallo, near the Eritrean front. Immediately after him come the seven Rases of the Abyssinian army (“Ras” means “head” in Abysmian), most of whom are governors of provinces. They are: Ras Kassa, governor of Sellali and Gondar, aged about 50, many years adviser to the Emperor, a shrewd and moderate man, greatly esteemed in the whole country; Ras Seyoum, governor of Tigre, adjoining Eritrea, grandson of the famous Emperor John, and chief of the brave and warlike tribe of Tigre; Ras Imerou, governor of Gojjam, a cousin of the present Emperor; Ras Mulugheta, Minister of War; Ras Desta Damtou, son-nn-law of the present Emperor, governor of Sidamo; Ras Guetatcho Ambata, ex-Ambassa-dor of Abyssinia in Paris, now governor of Kaffa; Ras Kabada, governor of Kambata. Next to the Rases,are the “Dtdjazmatch” (Abyssinian for “commander of the centre”), who include Dedjazmatch Nassibou (governor of Harrar), Igazzou (adviser to the Emperor), Amde (adviser to the Emperor and governor of Ax’oussi), Balcha, a famous warrior), Haile Selassie Gugsa (governor of part of Tigre, son-in-law of the present Emperor), Haile Selassie (uncle of the Emperor and adviser to him), and Ambatcho Gassassa (governor of part of Wallo). After "the “Dedjazmatch" come the “Kagniazmatch” (commanders of the right flank, “Guirazmatch” (commanders of the left flank), and “Fitauraries” (commanders of the advance guard).