15 Facts About Mentewab

Mentewab was Empress of Ethiopia, consort of Emperor Bakaffa, mother of Iyasu II and grandmother of Iyoas I She was known officially by her baptismal name of Walatta Giyorgis.

Mentewab was a major political figure during the reigns of her son the Emperor Iyasu and grandson Iyoas.

Empress Mentewab was known by the honorific of Berhan Mogassa.

Mentewab was a daughter of Dejazmach Manbare of Dembiya by his wife, Woizero Yenkoy.

Mentewab had three daughters by "Melmal Iyasu": Altash, Walata Israel, and the famous Woizero Aster Iyasu who married the powerful Tigrean warlord Ras Mikael Sehul.

Empress Mentewab built several significant structures in Gondar, including her own castle in the Royal Enclosure, and a large banqueting hall as well.

Empress Mentewab built a palace adjoining her church, which became her favored residence.

In 1728, Bekkafa developed a severe illness that left him unable to govern, and Mentewab became the unofficial ruler of the kingdom.

Empress Mentewab was crowned co-ruler upon the succession of her son Iyasu II in 1730, and held unprecedented power over government during his reign.

The conflict between these two queens led to Mentewab summoning her Qwaran relatives and their forces to Gondar for support.

Mentewab summoned the powerful Mikael Sehul to mediate the dispute and prevent a bloodbath.

Mentewab had hoped that he would land firmly on her side, but instead Ras Mikael seized power for himself, and eventually engineered the murder by strangulation of Emperor Iyoas I, at which time Mikael married the aunt of his victim.

Empress Mentewab was distraught at the murder of her grandson.

Mentewab retreated to Qusquam and buried her grandson there next to her son, and refused to return to the city of Gondar.

Mentewab lived at her palace there in seclusion till the end of her life.