Mereja Forum

[Sadacha Macca]

Yohannes vs Menelik...
''Yohannes is the greater warrior, but Menelik is the abler politician. Yohannes wins our sympathy by his courage and activity, while Menelik, though by no means deficient in these qualities, does not fight unless (as he himself has said) he is compelled to do so. Yet his early days were full of adventures and danger. As he has since become famous, a short account of his life may perhaps be interesting.
When Tewodros... in 1856 conquered Shoa, the Shoan Prince Ailu, unable to contend against the invader, entrusted Menelik, his only son, at that time about 10 years old, to the care of his most faithful followers. In spite of their desperate resistance young Menelik was captured, and compelled to go to the imperial court; but Tewodros seems to have taken a fancy to the boy, for during 10 years of captivity he treated him well, and gave him the title of 'Dejazmach.' Finally, in 1865, Menelik, now 21 years of age, escaped and sought refuge with Workitu, Queen of the Wollo Oromos, determined at all costs to recover his inheritance in Shoa.
Now Queen Workitu had been compelled to give her son as hostage to Tewodros; so no sooner did the Emperor hear that Menelik was at her Court than he sent her the following laconic message: 'Either you protect Menelik and your son will be executed, or else you give up Menelik and your son will be restored to you.'
The old men, her advisers, strongly urged her to surrender Menelik, firstly in order to save her son's life, secondly in order to save her own throne; but, contrary to all expectation, this brave woman firmly refused to do so. 'If I follow your advice,' she said, 'it would mean two victims, both my son and Menelik; now God designs that 1 of the 2 shall be saved.' She therefore sent Menelik to Shoa escorted by three Wollo Oromo military units, and Tewodros had her son executed; this was the 1st of three great occasions on which Menelik's life was preserved in an almost miraculous manner.
On reaching Shoa he was confronted by an army under Bezabu, the governor appointed by Tewodros, and it became evident that he must fight if he were to save his life and win back his inheritance. The chances were all against him, for his enemies were numerous and appeared resolute. Menelik, therefore, as seems to be his custom, entered a church near the field of battle, and prayed long and earnestly for success, then, mounting his horse, he prepared to lead the attack. But here for the 2nd time fortune stood by him in a wonderful manner. No attack was necessary. When the Shoans understood that it was indeed the grandson of the great Sahle Selassie and the son of their beloved prince Ailu, they refused to strike a blow against him; they received him in triumph and crowned him their king in August of 1865.''
[The Twentieth Century, Volume 53, pages 80-85.]

[kerenite]

Yohannes vs Menelik...
''Yohannes is the greater warrior, but Menelik is the abler politician. Yohannes wins our sympathy by his courage and activity, while Menelik, though by no means deficient in these qualities, does not fight unless (as he himself has said) he is compelled to do so. Yet his early days were full of adventures and danger. As he has since become famous, a short account of his life may perhaps be interesting.
When Tewodros... in 1856 conquered Shoa, the Shoan Prince Ailu, unable to contend against the invader, entrusted Menelik, his only son, at that time about 10 years old, to the care of his most faithful followers. In spite of their desperate resistance young Menelik was captured, and compelled to go to the imperial court; but Tewodros seems to have taken a fancy to the boy, for during 10 years of captivity he treated him well, and gave him the title of 'Dejazmach.' Finally, in 1865, Menelik, now 21 years of age, escaped and sought refuge with Workitu, Queen of the Wollo Oromos, determined at all costs to recover his inheritance in Shoa.
Now Queen Workitu had been compelled to give her son as hostage to Tewodros; so no sooner did the Emperor hear that Menelik was at her Court than he sent her the following laconic message: 'Either you protect Menelik and your son will be executed, or else you give up Menelik and your son will be restored to you.'
The old men, her advisers, strongly urged her to surrender Menelik, firstly in order to save her son's life, secondly in order to save her own throne; but, contrary to all expectation, this brave woman firmly refused to do so. 'If I follow your advice,' she said, 'it would mean two victims, both my son and Menelik; now God designs that 1 of the 2 shall be saved.' She therefore sent Menelik to Shoa escorted by three Wollo Oromo military units, and Tewodros had her son executed; this was the 1st of three great occasions on which Menelik's life was preserved in an almost miraculous manner.
On reaching Shoa he was confronted by an army under Bezabu, the governor appointed by Tewodros, and it became evident that he must fight if he were to save his life and win back his inheritance. The chances were all against him, for his enemies were numerous and appeared resolute. Menelik, therefore, as seems to be his custom, entered a church near the field of battle, and prayed long and earnestly for success, then, mounting his horse, he prepared to lead the attack. But here for the 2nd time fortune stood by him in a wonderful manner. No attack was necessary. When the Shoans understood that it was indeed the grandson of the great Sahle Selassie and the son of their beloved prince Ailu, they refused to strike a blow against him; they received him in triumph and crowned him their king in August of 1865.''
[The Twentieth Century, Volume 53, pages 80-85.]

Other historians differ, read what the historian mrs. Chris Prouty wrote in her book titled EMPRESS TAYTU AND MENILEK II about the escape of menilik from the megdella enclave.

She narrates in her book citing contemporary historians that the galla (oromo) queen werkitu was ready to hand over menilik to tedros provided that he released her son who was in his captivity in exchange of menilik.

She was told that tedros watched her troops thru binoculars how menelik was welcomed in her territory and how out of anger, he ordered his troops to chopp off the limbs of her son and throw him down from the mekdella precipice.

At last minute, menilik was saved and made it to Shoa.

[Sadacha Macca]

Yohannes vs Menelik...
''Yohannes is the greater warrior, but Menelik is the abler politician. Yohannes wins our sympathy by his courage and activity, while Menelik, though by no means deficient in these qualities, does not fight unless (as he himself has said) he is compelled to do so. Yet his early days were full of adventures and danger. As he has since become famous, a short account of his life may perhaps be interesting.
When Tewodros... in 1856 conquered Shoa, the Shoan Prince Ailu, unable to contend against the invader, entrusted Menelik, his only son, at that time about 10 years old, to the care of his most faithful followers. In spite of their desperate resistance young Menelik was captured, and compelled to go to the imperial court; but Tewodros seems to have taken a fancy to the boy, for during 10 years of captivity he treated him well, and gave him the title of 'Dejazmach.' Finally, in 1865, Menelik, now 21 years of age, escaped and sought refuge with Workitu, Queen of the Wollo Oromos, determined at all costs to recover his inheritance in Shoa.
Now Queen Workitu had been compelled to give her son as hostage to Tewodros; so no sooner did the Emperor hear that Menelik was at her Court than he sent her the following laconic message: 'Either you protect Menelik and your son will be executed, or else you give up Menelik and your son will be restored to you.'
The old men, her advisers, strongly urged her to surrender Menelik, firstly in order to save her son's life, secondly in order to save her own throne; but, contrary to all expectation, this brave woman firmly refused to do so. 'If I follow your advice,' she said, 'it would mean two victims, both my son and Menelik; now God designs that 1 of the 2 shall be saved.' She therefore sent Menelik to Shoa escorted by three Wollo Oromo military units, and Tewodros had her son executed; this was the 1st of three great occasions on which Menelik's life was preserved in an almost miraculous manner.
On reaching Shoa he was confronted by an army under Bezabu, the governor appointed by Tewodros, and it became evident that he must fight if he were to save his life and win back his inheritance. The chances were all against him, for his enemies were numerous and appeared resolute. Menelik, therefore, as seems to be his custom, entered a church near the field of battle, and prayed long and earnestly for success, then, mounting his horse, he prepared to lead the attack. But here for the 2nd time fortune stood by him in a wonderful manner. No attack was necessary. When the Shoans understood that it was indeed the grandson of the great Sahle Selassie and the son of their beloved prince Ailu, they refused to strike a blow against him; they received him in triumph and crowned him their king in August of 1865.''
[The Twentieth Century, Volume 53, pages 80-85.]

Other historians differ, read what the historian mrs. Chris Prouty wrote in her book titled EMPRESS TAYTU AND MENILEK II about the escape of menilik from the megdella enclave.

She narrates in her book citing contemporary historians that the galla (oromo) queen werkitu was ready to hand over menilik to tedros provided that he released her son who was in his captivity in exchange of menilik.

She was told that tedros watched her troops thru binoculars how menelik was welcomed in her territory and how out of anger, he ordered his troops to chopp off the limbs of her son and throw him down from the mekdella precipice.

At last minute, menilik was saved and made it to Shoa.

''Finally, in 1865, Menelik, now 21 years of age, escaped (Magdala) and sought refuge with Workitu, Queen of the Wollo Oromos, determined at all costs to recover his inheritance in Shoa.
Now Queen Workitu had been compelled to give her son as hostage to Tewodros; so no sooner did the Emperor hear that Menelik was at her court then he sent her the following laconic message:
Either you protect Menelik and your son will be executed, or else you give up Menelik and your son will be restored to you.
The old men, her advisors, strongly urged her to surrender Menelik, firstly in order to save her son's life, secondly in order to save her own throne; but, contrary to all expectations, this brave woman firmly refused to do so. 'If I follow your advice,' she said, 'it would mean two victims, both my son and menelik; now God designs that one of the two shall be saved.' She therefore sent Menelik to Shoa under a strong (Oromo) escort, and Tewodros had her son executed; this was the first of three great occasions on which Menelik's life was preserved in an almost miraculous manner.''
[The Nineteenth Century and After, Volume 53, Pages 85-86;
Published: New York, Leonard Scott Pub. Co. ; 1901-1950]

[Abere]

@Sadacha

How is Werqitu (ወርቂቱ) an Oromo? Did she reported she was Oromo or Emperor Tewodros forced her to change her name?

Sadaca, the story that Meqdella and Tenta were Oromos 1000% fake. The era of Tewordros is like yesterday, it is around 1860. At that time there is no trace of Oromo in the area. Had there been any at least there should have been some pocket area or remnant speakers.

Shameless expansionist Orommuma claim everything under the sun as only Oromo, just like the crazy Pente pastor said Mekelle was Oromo.
When are you people of the Tesfaye-Gebre-Ebab stop fooling Oromos?