Emyat Bafana

Bafena Wolde Mikael

Biography Ancestry and rise Of humble origins, Bafena came from Marra Biete and was of Amhara lineage. Her father's name was Wolde Mikael. Risen in society, temporarily, to being the wife of meridazmach Aboye, (chosen viceroy of Shewa by emperor Tewodros II). She was subsequently married to Afa Negus MadhaneAlso spelled in various sources as Bedane

Consort's ambitions Bafena became Menilek’s wife by customary law, despite being considerably older than Menelik, the Negus has been entranced with her shortly after his return to Ankober from captivity under Tewodros II in 1865. Capuchin missionary Guglielmo Massaia, a foreign advisor with good standing at his majesty's court, viewed her as ‘‘sly, immoral, and a troublemaker’’ despite her attempts to win him over with generous gifts. Bafena wanted Massaia to convince Menelik to take the rite of communion (church marriage, which forbids divorce). Massaia knew that Menelik's union with her was ‘‘irregular’’ and that the Negus was under pressure to leave Bafena for a younger woman that could birth him sons.

Consort's schemes Determined to remove Mashasha from the competition, Bafena orchestrated the severing of good relations between the two cousins. She made accusations of insults against Mashasha towards her, but to no effect. She then abruptly wedded her daughter (that was initially promised to Mashasha) to another lord. Disturbed by Menelik's inaction, the young lord left Menelik's court, only to see his lands forfeited in favour of Bafena.

In 1876 Mashasha, resentful of the injustice done to him, asked his uncle Darge Sahle Selassie to intervene on his behalf. Bafena was forced to restore the territories to Mashasha after a council of arbitration (many of whom disliked Bafena) decided in Mashasha's favour. Enraged, Bafena managed to convince Menelik that his cousin was a potential traitor, and on 14 December 1876 he was imprisoned at Gontcho under the authority of the Muslim governor of Argobba. Menelik lost considerable support through this arbitrary action, at a time when he needed all the strength he could muster, and his acquiescence to Bafena's demands only hardened her determination to see one of her sons on the throne. Dejazmach Amen Shoa (died 1887), was held in high regard by his stepfather Emperor Menellik II. Fit'awrari Gizao (died c. 21 June 1882). Woyzero Manalebish was the wife, first of dejazmach Mekuria. Her second husband was Ras Mikael of Wollo. Unnamed daughter was promised to Mashasha Sayfu, Menelik's cousin.