Marye of Yejju

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Marye of Yejju^[1] (died 14 February 1831) was a Ras of Begemder and Enderase (regent) of the Emperor of Ethiopia. He was the brother of his predecessor Ras Yimam.

The missionary Samuel Gobat had a low opinion of Marye. He wrote in his journal, "A character worse then is attributed to Mariam [Marye], cannot be well given to a prince. He does justice to none. Far frompunishing a solider for robbing or killing his companion, he publicly commends him, as a man of courage. It is said that he has ordered all of his soldiers, on entering Oubea's territories, to kill every human being they meet, without distinction of age or sex; threatening with death the solier, known to have spared a single person in his power."^[2] However Gobat's opinion may have been influenced by a raid his men executed on Gondar 14 May 1830, which he described prior to this passage.

Marye had his capital in Debre Tabor, from 1828 to 1831.

Marye's final military campaign was against Ras Sabagadis of Agame, who had succeeded Wolda Selassie as the dominant warlord of Tigray. Supported by Wube Haile Maryam of Semien and Goshu of Gojjam, Marye led his army across the Takazze River and defeated Sebagadis at the Battle of Debre Abbay (14 February 1831). However, Ras Marye was killed in the battle, and Sebagadis surrendered to Wube. Wube handed the defeated warlord to Ras Marye's Oromo troops, who killed their defeated foe, and ravaged Tigray in revenge for their leader's death.

[edit] Notes

Preceded by Ras Yimam

Chiefs of the Yejju Oromo

Succeeded by Ras Dori