Empress Menen * Queen Omega

EMPRESS WOIZERO MENEN

The Queen of Iration

Words by Ruth Willis (Adapted from an article by Kwasi Osei Bonsu)

Whenever the struggle for Black self-determination is studied, the focus is often on the brave and courageous men who gave their lives for the betterment of their people. However little study is given to the women who also played a vital role in this struggle. The Black woman's role in the struggle for freedom and equality cannot be overstated. Every great man in history has come into the world through the womb of a woman, and historically the Black woman has been a pillar of strength throughout Africa and the Diaspora. Without looking at the contributions made by Black women throughout the ages, the full story of the Black experience and struggle cannot be told. While there are countless Black women worthy of having their stories told, this article focuses on the life and works of the last Queen of Queens of Ethiopia, Empress Woizero Menen.

On November 2, 1930, when His Imperial Majesty Emperor Haile Selassie I ascended the throne of Ethiopia as King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah, Elect of God, and True Light of this World, he was not alone. Empress Menen was at his right hand, and was crowned Queen of Queens shortly after. This was the first time in history that a King and Queen were crowned at the same time. When Emperor Haile Selassie I ordered that his Queen be crowned at the same time as himself, he broke with centuries-old traditions and set a new precedent for how women were to be viewed in Ethiopia and throughout the African Diaspora. When the 72 invited nations bowed down before the Emperor, they also bowed before Empress Menen. Empress Menen and Emperor Haile Selassie I are both of the King Solomon and Queen of Sheba lineage. Their coronations were seen by The Rastafarian movement as a fulfilment of prophecy, and are exalted as King Alpha and Queen Omega, the beginning without an end. Empress Menen is worshiped as the Mother of Creation and provides a strong role model for Rasta women; a significant point to make as Rasta is seen by many as a sexist movement.

Empress Menen was born on March 25, 1883 in the Wollo province of the Ambassel Region at a place called "Egua". She was the daughter of King Mikael of Wollo, a powerful provincial leader, who later sided with a rival of Emperor Haile Selassie I and caused a civil war in 1961. Empress Menen kept her wedding vows to her husband, and showed loyalty to their union by helping him to defeat rival forces and maintain his position as head of the government. Her education was consistent with the Ethiopian tradition for girls at the time, and she learned home economics and spinning. Despite her own modest education, Empress Menen championed many causes related to education in Ethiopia. She founded a school for girls and was known for donating money to various educational causes. On May 28, 1926, she made a significant financial contribution to an effort to construct schools for poor children and freed slaves. She also opened many technical centres for women, including a nursing school in Asmara, which bears her name.

Her love for education was second only to her love for her creator. She was baptised in the Orthodox Ethiopian Christian Church. Empress Menen spent a great deal of time in prayer, and a great deal of her personal money building and renovating churches. During the Italian invasion, many churches were devastated and she spent a great deal of time, resources and energy seeing that they were rebuilt. On July 30, 1911, she married Emperor Haile Selassie I, then Ras Tafari, in a traditional wedding ceremony. The Emperor has said of Empress Menen that "She is a kind woman; in her nature, she is a total stranger to cruelty and offensiveness. We have lived since our marriage through years of good and ill fortune by sharing together our happiness as well as our sorrows." These sorrows were many, as the Royal family of Ethiopia faced a great deal of trials and tribulations. Empress Menen was the mother of six children, many of who, she would live to see die.

In 1935 when the fascist forces of Italy invaded Ethiopia, Empress Menen played a key role in organising the women of Ethiopia to provide aid for wounded soldiers. She was also instrumental in organising the women of the world to speak out against war and it's horrific realities. In a speech to the World Women's Association in 1936 she stated, "We know that all Italian mothers and barren women may worry about the war, since war is good for nothing. Therefore, all women found in the world should prevent the war before it brings trouble and distress. They should collaborate their voice and request to avoid the war before the bloodshed comes on both sides."

Because of her role in the education of women, work with the poor, commitment to her spiritual beliefs, and her quiet strength in the face of tribulation, Empress Menen has secured a place for herself in Ethiopian and World history as a powerful Black woman. In these times, where it seems to many that the Black woman's worth lies solely in her appearance, it is nice to know that there are Black women who challenge such popular misconceptions. Although Empress Menen was a powerful force in the empowerment of women in Ethiopia and world wide, she did not fit the stereotype of the modern day feminist. She stood for education and women pursuing the highest degree of education possible, yet always put her family first. She showed great strength through humility and never sought out the limelight, but preferred to let her words speak for her. Yet when it mattered, she raised her voice to speak out against injustices facing her people. Empress Menen was truly deserving of the title Queen of Queens, and although she passed away, (or as Rasta believe, withdrew herself from public view) in 1965, she will always be remembered in the hearts of Africans, both at home and abroad. Empress Menen, we salute your greatness, Queen Omega, Mother of Creation.
This article can be found on the University of East London website at http://www.uelsu.net/main/FUEL/fuels/lateshow/irationqueen