Gebre of Semien

Gebre TasfaIn various sources also spelled as Gabre Tasfa

Gebre was the son of Tasfa of Semien, his name was romanized as Tesfos of Samen in contemporary 18th century writings by James Bruce. Dejazmach Tasfa governed Semien Province and was loyal to Emperor Iyasu II. He fought valiantly during the three battles of Sarbakusa in May 1771 and played a crucial role in ending Mikael Sehul's short-lived influence over Gondar, after which Tasfa succumbed to his injuries.

His brother was Dejazmach Eraklis TasfaAlso spelled in sources as: Eraklis Tesfa, Eraklis of Semyen

Another brother was Dejazmach Wolde Eyob of gold, pretending they were church property and not the personal possessions of the dead ecclesiastic. Ras Gugsa was forced to disgorge the stolen valuables after Ras Wolde Selassie and Ras Gebre threatened to wage war for which Gugsa was unprepared.

Gugsa's pride, however, had received too severe a mortification to acquiesce what had taken place. He made preparations to wage wars against those who had humiliated him, and forged an alliance with Siban, son of Kollase of Michaelis, who was at the head of the Yejju Oromos. This united force was reported to be able to bring into the field thirty thousand cavalry, besides double that number of spearmen.

He was succeeded by his son Haile Maryam Gebre in 1815.

Taytu's chronicle

Gebre is mentioned in his great-granddaughter's chronicle; Empress Taytu Betul, the spouse of Emperor Menelik II. The chronicler ensures Taytu's posterity will known that she descended from Susenyos (thus of Solomonic heritage) through Gebre's Semien line. The chronicle describes the longevity of his reign (of 44 years), the relative prosperity of Semien by making the shankella (a term for Sudanic tribes near the Ethiopian borderlands in the lowland areas) pay in gold, and Gebre's generosity towards his subjects. However, his official wife was Woizero Sahlitu Kefle IyesusAlso spelled as Sahlitu Kifle Yesus

His children include: Haile Maryam Gebre, his son and successor; Batri Gebre, another son; Teshen Gebre was his daughter, wife of Emperor Tekle Giyorgis I; Wube Haile Maryam was his famous grandson. Merso Haile Maryam was his grandson. Betul Haile Maryam was his grandson. Yewub-dar Haile Maryam was his granddaughter. Taytu Betul was his great-granddaughter.

Dagnew Wolde Selassie was the great, great-grandson of Wube Haile Maryam. A former Ethiopian Ambassador to Yemen, and former governor of Begemder.