Post by Treasure Danjuma (@Whitefinger)
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"Menelik, who reigned as Emperor of Ethiopia from 1889 to 1913, was perhaps the greatest of Ethiopia’s rulers. His reign was of considerable importance in that it witnessed the reunification and modernisation of his country, as well as a great increase in its position in world affairs.
“Ethiopia, though a powerful state in ancient and medieval times, had in the middle of the eighteenth century fallen on evil days.
The powers of the monarchs had been usurped by the feudal lords and centralised government had been replaced by the autonomy of the various provinces whose rulers warred among themselves.
“The reorganisation and resurrection of the ancient State had first been attempted in the middle of the nineteenth century by the Emperor Theodore and had later been partially accomplished by his successor, the Emperor Yohannes IV.
It was, however, left to Menelik to bring this work to fruition, as well as to withstand the pressure of the European Powers in the Scramble for Africa, and to lay the foundations of a modern State.
“Menelik’s personality, his innate intelligence and ability, his grasp of world affairs and his interest in modernisation, impressed all observers.
“During the many interviews I had with him,” recalls the British diplomat, Rennell Rodd, “I formed a high opinion of both his intelligence and his character. . . . His energy was astonishing.
By rising before dawn and beginning his day with prayers in chapel at 6.00 a.m., he made time to attend personally to every detail of the administration in a country constituted of many dissimilar elements. Accessible to all his subjects from the highest to the lowest, he had succeeded in winning universal regard and affection.”
Other observers tell a similar tale.
Thus the French traveller Vanderheym noted that Menelik got up early and was constantly occupied with one project or another and might be seen inspecting, for example, the mechanical saws, the water system, the repair of artillery or guns, the making of mule collars or shields, or the planting out of vegetables from newly imported seeds.
The sovereign’s physician, Dr. Merab, confirms this picture, adding that Menelik embodied law and order in his person and guaranteed justice to all, being called the “father of his people” by all his country’s numerous tribes.
“The homely yet impressive character of the monarch must also be emphasised. He was always willing to participate in manual work of any kind and wished to give dignity to occupations traditionally regarded as inferior. Vanderheym records that it was by no means unusual for this remarkable sovereign to get off his mule and set an example by himself.”
taking part in any work which was in hand. Another writer relates that Menelik often assisted in such varied work as church building and grass cutting.
It was not therefore surprising that the Emperor should have issued a decree criticizing his people for their traditional dislike of manual work, and declaring the farmer more important than the king.”
(From an article in Tarikh magazine by R. Pankhurst)
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