Africa History Note; Emperor Menelik II and his consort, Empress Taitu

A combined repost with appropriate edits to mark the joint birthday of Emperor Menelik II and his consort, Empress Taitu.

178 years ago in the town of Angolalla in Northern Shewa, a son was born to Abeto Beshah Wered (later Negus Haile Melekot) and Woizero Idjigayehu Lemma.  A lot of speculation exists about the origins of his mother, but she was in fact a lady of a family of northern Shewa, in the service of Beshah Wered’s great-grandmother Zenebework, widow of Merid Azmatch Wossen Seged. The child would be baptized as Sahle Dengel, but his grandfather Negus Sahle Selassie, king of Shewa, renamed him Menelik.  Menelik’s paternal line had reigned as rulers of Shewa as Merid Azmatches and then Kings.  They were descended from Abeto Yacob, the youngest son of Emperor Libne Dengel.

The baby born on August 17, 1844 would eventually mount the Imperial throne as Emperor Menelik II of Ethiopia.  He would successfully consolidate the authority of the central government over peripheral areas, and restored the sovereignty of the Ethiopian Crown over the various vassal kingdoms and sultanates who had functioned with autonomy since the Zemene Mesafint.  He would successfully defend his realm against Italian colonialism, decisively defeating the largest European army assembled in Africa until that time at the Battle of Adwa in 1896.  He started his country on the road to modernity, setting up the foundations for development.

Menelik was married three time.  His first wife was Alitash Tewodros, daughter of Emperor Tewodros II whom he abandoned when he escaped from Magdala and returned to Shewa to reclaim his crown.  His second wife was Bafena Wolde, a formidable woman of great beauty from Merhabete who plotted against her husband in order to place her sons from a previous marriage in power.  Menelik divorced her due to this plotting.  His third wife was Taitu Bitul, the intelligent and resolute woman who would be his partner in power.  More on her below. 

Menelik II was the type of leader who suspended the collection of taxes when a rinderpest outbreak killed off most cattle including ploughing oxen, leading to a devastating famine.  He led by example going out to personally break the earth with a hoe, to encourage cattle-less farmers to do the same, stressing that there was no dishonor in working with one’s hands.  Easily moved by the plight of others, compassionate and merciful, he earned the nickname Imiye Menelik እምዬ ምኒልክ (Mother Menelik) because he was seen to be more like an indigent and affectionate mother figure, than the typical stern father figure image of traditional Emperors.  Tolerant in matters of religion, firmly believing that everyone had the right to practice their religion unmolested, he nevertheless was personally a devout member of the Orthodox Church and devoted to the Virgin Mary.   He had the ability to turn enemies into friends, but was firm when firmness was needed. 

In recent years, shameless revisionists have tried to turn Emperor Menelik II into a monster.  It is an insidious effort to undermine the Ethiopianism he stood for.  However, truth and history cannot remain buried or be corrupted forever.  The truth will prevail.

Taitu Bitul Haile Mariam was born at Debre Tabor some time between 1840 and 1853.  Scholars seem to lean towards 1851.  She was the third of five children of Ras Bitul Haile Mariam, half brother of Dejazmatch Wube Haile Mariam of Simien.  Her mother Woizero Yewubdar was a noblewoman of Begemidir and Gojjam.  Her uncle Dejazmatch Wube once ruled a big chunk of northern Ethiopia from his seat in Simien, including Tigray and wide swaths of what is now Eritrea.  He was one of the most powerful nobles of his day and even had ambitions of being crowned Emperor being descended from a daughter of Emperor Susenyous the Catholic.  Her Yejju relatives were the Wereshek dynasty of Princes who had ruled as Regents the Ethiopian Empire in the place of the then powerless Emperors throughout the Zemene Mesafint period.  Tewodros II swept away the power of the regional landlords, by first deposing her Wereshek relatives, and then her uncle Wube, being crowned Emperor in the very church Wube had built for his own planned coronation.  Many of her relatives found themselves imprisoned by the new Emperor.

Her brothers, Wele and Alula Bitul were imprisoned at the mountain citadel of Magdala where they became friends with their fellow prisoner, Menelik, the Prince of Shewa who had been kept a prisoner since boyhood when his father King Haile Melekot had died leaving Shewa defenseless against the forces of Tewodros.  Their friendship had continued after Menelik escaped from Magdala and been restored to his Shewan kingdom.  In the mean time Taitu had entered at least three marriages of which little is known other than that she produced no children that survived infancy. After Menelik’s marriage to Bafena disintegrated, Menelik had rejected many a candidate for his hand.  Menelik was looking for a wife and his friend Ras Wele Bitul suggested he meet his sister.  It is said that Wele and Alula had intended to introduce Menelik to their sister Woizero Desta, but when he saw Taitu he was captivated.  They married in a communion marriage at Easter in 1883.  In 1889, Taitu was crowned Empress-consort (Etege) of Ethiopia on the second day of her husband’s coronation as Emperor.  

Taitu more than any other Ethiopian royal consort of a reigning Emperor, acted as a true partner in power to her husband.  She took part in every discussion in matters of state and took part in the both the process and decisions of policy and action. Empress Taitu was the the other side of the coin of Menelik’s reign, the Ying to his Yang.  Menelik II was debonair, playful, something of a procrastinator, and loathe to make decisions that he believed might result in negative feelings.  His favorite phrase when confronted with such decisions was said to be “alright, let’s discuss this further tomorrow”.  Taitu on the other hand had no problem saying “No!”  Menelik found it useful to deflect such difficult decisions to her, and Taitu dealt with them without hesitation.  This may have been one of the reasons that Menelik was so widely adored while Taitu inspired awe and nervousness in her lifetime..  She did not mind a certain level of unpopularity as long as it got things done.  Taitu played a vital role in the negotiations with Italy leading up to the Battle of Adwa, and led a troop of soldiers and camp attendants during that war.  It was Taitu who came up with the idea to cut off the water supply to the Italian fort at Enda Iyesus overlooking Mekele which resulted in victory there before Adwa.  She was often portrayed by foreign sources as anti-modernization and anti-foreigner in contrast to her husband who was an enthusiastic modernizer.  However, Taitu was not so much against modernization as she was concerned about the ability of the state to keep up with the increased public demands that rapid development might bring.  She regarded many of the modern marvels like automobiles and telephones with disdain.  She challenged Alfred Ilg, (one of the few westerners she actually got along well with) on the need to build a railway connecting Addis Ababa to Djibouti.  Who would feed the families of the mostly lowland Muslim caravan traders when the train put them out of business, she wanted to know?  How is a train a benefit if it robs a large group of their livelihood?  Among her greatest contributions was founding and naming the City of Addis Ababa. 

May the memory of Menelik II, King of Kings of Ethiopia, and Taitu Bitul, Light of Ethiopia, be eternal.

✍🏿 Solomon Kibriye

Civil Society Organisations (CSO) offered a word of prayer for the Struggle for Self-determination in West Papua

 

Civil Society Organisations (CSO) offered a word of prayer for the Struggle for Self-determination in West Papua before they head over to the meet the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders at the Non State Actors Dialogue.

The delegation was led by Pacific Conference of Churches General Secretary, @Reverend James Bhagwan (Jimmy Bee) presented the PRINGO Alliance Covenant to the leaders during the morning tea.

Pacific Islands Forum Leaders at the Non State Actors Dialogue this morning.

PRNGO Alliance again urged our leaders to re-affirm their calls for the UNHCHR and Indonesia to conduct the UNHCHR Office visit to West Papua and Papua Provinces within 12 months or in 2023.

for their fight for Independence before the CSO del heads over to meet the #PIFsLeaders at the #NSAdialogue.

The Pacific is not free until West Papua, Maohi Nui and Kanaky are free!

Fiji Council Of Social Services (FCOSS) ADRA Fiji PANG - TOK Pacific Disability Forum femLINKpacific DAWN feminist

CITIZENS DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION

By Scott Waide:

____________________

Dear Prime Minister,

_______,,,,

Our government has to admit the fact that there is a glaring imbalance between Papua New Guinean and foreign ownership of businesses. We own very little in our country.

_______,,,,

The retail, wholesale and real estate in our towns and cities are controlled by Chinese interests. We own almost nothing in the logging industry. It is, as we all know, controlled by Malaysian interests.

_______,,,,,,

There is an increasing push by (new) Chinese business owners who are buying up National Housing Corporation (NHC) properties and forcing out Papua New Guineans – YOUR people – on to the streets.

_______,,,,,

There is no strong legislation that prevents 100 percent foreign ownership of property and land. We need those laws in place now. We need the political will to do it. Now.

_______,,,,,,

The justice system can’t protect our people. They don’t have the money to fight long protracted legal battles… …and the syndicate – yes, syndicates – know this and they take advantage of it.

_______,,,,,,

Recently, local people along the North Coast of Madang protested against a sand mining proposal. The people associated with the sand mining company have also evicted families from NHC properties in Madang. It is no secret. It was reported by the media.

_______,,,,,,

Take Back PNG must not remain a political slogan for elections. The people must live it.

________,,,,

I am calling for legislation that protects the social and economic rights of our people. I want lower taxes (or no taxes at all) for struggling SMEs. Give them tax holidays like the government did for RD Tuna and the petroleum sector. Give them REAL financing. Not a figure on paper they can’t access.

_______,,,,,,,

We want shop spaces in the center of our towns and cities. Give it to us. This is our country. We want what is ours. If the laws don’t allow it. Change the laws to suit our people’s needs. We cannot continue to exist on the fringes of a large Pacific economy that boasts a ‘healthy’ GDP yet cannot show it in the impact on the lives of our people.

_______,,,,,,,

Tax the alcohol companies. They contribute to the widespread abuse and the violence associated with it. Our society is not mature enough to allow the widespread consumption of alcohol. Tax the cigarette companies. Make them all pay for the ill health of our people. We are not taking back PNG by allowing these cancers to continue untreated. We are in fact, selling off PNG’s future.

_________,,,,,,

Reduce the cost of medical treatment at the private clinics and hospitals. Reduce the cost of dental care. It’s UNAFFORDABLE. How can a papa or mama in the village afford K500 for a tooth extraction.

_________,,,,,,,

Dear PM,

__________,,,,,,,

Give your people the means to look after themselves. Give your people the means to pay for their children’s education so they don’t become enslaved by politicians who peddle election policies that don’t really serve our people.

________,,,,,,

We don’t want to be dependant on government. We want to make our own money. Wealth in the hand of its people is real wealth.

________,,,,,,

We demand preferential treatment for US.

Our resources. Our Country. We deserve more.

PENAMPILAN DAN GAYA TIDAK MEMBAWA PENGARUH, SALUTE PADA-MU IBU TERCANTIK TERHEBAT

"Wisuda Sambil Menggendong Anaknya.

Gadis cantik seperti emas West Papua yang berasal dari Vanuatu itu menggendong anaknya ketika menerima tanda wisuda tanpa relah membiarkan anaknya. Acara wisuda tersebut di saksikan oleh wisudawan/i, Dosen", orang tua wisudawan/i terutama tamu undangan.

Pesan terakhir yang di sampai kan oleh dosen kepada gadis itu di depan seluruh orang Vanuatu bahwa; Anda, Gadis Melanesia pertama yang berani menetapkan sejarah baru di telapak kaki orang asli Melanesia dan kami membanggakan Anda yang berani mengilustrasikan kewajiban sebagai seorang Perempuan Melanesia yang berani menanggung kewajiban itu secara universal.

Para undangan yang hadirin pun memberikan berbagai macam apresiasi sebagai tanda kebanggaan, ucapan atas keberhasilannya dan terutama sejarah baru yang ia menetapkan di telapak kaki orang Melanesia.

Kini orang Melanesia pun dapat memberikan manfaat baik kepada dunia untuk di ketahui dan melakukan, sebab ilustrasi nyata yang di lakukan gadis Melanesia secara universal.

Repost Coretan Kawan Aktivis.

Sad but REAL: Richest in Resources but Not Richest Country in Oceania

Why PNG is not amongst the richest countries in Oceania although endowed with vastness of resources. The top 10 richest countries in Oceania are;

1. Australia

2. New Zealand

3. Palau

4. Marshall Islands

5. Tonga

6. Federated States of Micronesia

7. Kiribati

8. Samoa

9. Nauru

10. Fiji

Now look at PNG's profile. What we have and enjoyed, they don't but we are not included on the list. Lets see who PNG is;

1. 11th largest producer of LNG

2. 20th biggest supplier of Gold

3. 18th biggest coffee producer

4. 12th biggest cocoa producer

5. 7th largest Palm oil producer

6. 7th largest copra producer

7. 5th largest vanilla producer

8. 2nd largest exporter of Round Logs

9. Supplies 25% of world Tuna fish

10. 3rd largest rainforest

11. Tropical wilderness and ecological goldmines that contains 5% of the world's diversity in less than 1% of the worlds total land area

12.With 8 operational mines

After 46 years, shy is PNG not advancing forward?

We are practically living off borrowed money , independent BUT still DEPENDENT .

#Country_Run_by_Thieves_and_Thugs

Picture captioned : OK Tedi Mine Pit

J. Rumbiak: Terimakasih2dan Selamat Beristirahat Bapak Zadrach Wainggai

Thank you kaka tuan Dr. Jacob Rumbiak

BAPA ZADRACH WAINGGAI , TEMPAT MENYIMPANG DAN MENYELAMATKAN GERERASI JOSUA TERDIDIK PAPUA MENGANTARKAN BANGSANYA MENUJU PINTU GERBANG EMAS KEMERDEKAAN.

By / Oleh : Jacob Rumbiak.

04 Juni 2022.

Bapak Zadrach Wainggai adalah orang tuan kandung dari adik Herman Wainggai satu dari sekian banyak generasi muda pejuang kemerdekaan Rumpung Bangsa Melanesia di wilayah geografis Papua Barat. Selain tuan Herman, Bapa Zadrach memilik anak-anak di bawahnya Herman (adik-adik dari tuan Herman Wainggai).

Tepatnya jam 04:00 am/pagi dini hari Sabtu, 4 Juni  2022,  saya memperoleh kontak dari seorang keluarga terdekat keluarga Wainggai bahwa satu jam yang lalu artinya jam 03:00-an pagi hari Sabtu dini hari Bapa terkasih Zadrak Wainggai telah dipanggil Tuhan pulang ke Rumah Tuhan. Ketika berita tersebut saya terima, saat itu pula saya hanya bisa terdiam dan merenungkan betapa besar, dalam dan luas peran kunci Yang Terhormat Bapa Zadrak Wainggai dalam perjuangan rakyat bangsanya. Dalam keadaan terdiam saypun hanya bisa mengiringi perjalanan beliau ke rumah Bapa di seberang sana lewat doa dan air mata.

Bapa Zadrach Wainggai adalah Putera TERBAIK milik rakyat bangsanya, beliau adalah sorang kepala rumah tangga, suami dari istri terkasihnya, bapa bagi ana-anaknya, tete/kakek dari cucu-cucunya. Selain itu beliau telah ditentukan Tuhan sebagai alatNya Tuhan untuk MENYIMPAN, MENYEMBUNYIKAN DAN MENYELAMATKAN sekian banyak generasi Josua Papua terdidik yang hari ini sedang berada memimpin berada di garda terdepan mengantar rakyat bangsanya menuju dan memasuki Pintu Gerbang Kemerdekaan.

Bapa Zadrach Wainggai, anak sangat mengagumi kesederhanaanmu, cara kerjamu pun tidak kelihatan, juga tidak berbunyi, namun kerjanmu telah menghasilkan dedaunan hijau dengan buah  yang  lebat dimana kini banyak orang sedang merasakannnya tetapi mereka tak mengetahui dari mana asalnya SUMBER SUPLAI makanan yang menumbuhkan dedaunan hijau dan buah segar tersebut?  Jawabnya: Asal sumber suplai adalah AKAR Pohon dan dia adalah Yang Terhormat Bapa Zadrak Wainggai.

Doa kami seluruh rakyat bangsamu kiranya Roh Kudus memberikan kekuatan kepada Nyonya / Mama Wainggai Karubaba, anaknya  Adik Tuan Herman Wainggai, adik-adiknya serta seluruh keluarga besar Wainggai Karubaba dalam dan luar negeri (di mana semuanya berada).

Bapa Wainggai Yang Terhormat, sekalipun bangsamu memiliki uang setinggi langit, emas mutiara dan benda-benda berharga lainnya seluas bumi kita ini tidak setimpal dengan nilai patriotisme Bapa. Yang bisa seluruh rakyat  bangsamu menghadiahkan kepadamu hanyalah Ungkapan Terimakasih serta  Doa kami mengiringi kepergianmu menuju Rumah Bapa deseberang Sana Sorga Merisi Sekali lagi Terkasih.  Kebesaran namamu, karya karsa dan cita rasa jasa serta pengabdian Bapa Wainggai telah terpatri dalam lembaran sejarah perjuangan Bangsa Melanesia di Wilayah Geografis kita Papua Barat untuk dikenang sepanjang masa.

Selamat Jalan Pahlawan Bangsa Melanesia Papua Barat, beristirahatlah dalam kedamaian abadi bersama Tuhan kita Yesus Kristus di Pusat Kota Allah.  Amin.

George Saa dan Kondisi Bangsa Papua di dalam NKRI

Amerika di mata saya adalah land of immigrant. Sekarang lebih di kenal land of freedom atau land of the braves. Sekarang dia menjadi negara adidaya. Dunia ini dia majukan dengan sejumlah inovasinya. Tokoh pribumi di tanah Amerika sudah habis dan yang tersisa mereka banyak yang hidup di area konservasi. Hidupnya di atur UU Federal. 

Apakah ada mereka, orang Pribumi, Indian yang pernah menjadi kaki tangan orang putih menjadi agen untuk memata-matai bahkan menjadi penerjemah untuk kepentingan colonizer atau settler? Tentu. Apakah nasib keturunan mereka yang kerjasama ini jauh lebih baik dari mereka yang memilih melawan? Sejarah mencatat kalau nasibnya sama. 

Sejarah selalu berulang dalam garis waktu yang berbeda. 

Mari berkaca untuk kita orang Papua. Sebelumnya, mari bicara Fisika dan penelitiannya. Antigravitasi sangatlah bukan topik yang muda untuk di teliti atau melahirkan penemuan dengan practical used hari ini.

Menurut seorang ahli Fisika, penelitian atau topik penelitian dan penentuannya harus di dasarkan solusi yang bisa atau mungkin di susun berdasarkan berbagai solusi yang sudah ada. Artinya, Solusi akan melahirkan solusi-solusi lain. 

Orang Papua ingin solusi damai. Mengapa? Solusi damai akan melahirkan solusi damai lainnya. Solusi daerah otonomi baru sampai saat ini telah membuktikan bagaimana perpecahan dan segregasi di antara etnis-etnis Papua makin widening. Ini yang orang Papua tidak mau.

Orang Papua sadar bahwa mereka sedikit dan pertumbuhan populasi mereka juga sangat pelan. Mereka rasa harus ada yang di hentikan agar tatanan mereka bisa mereka atur. Mereka sadar bikin DOB itu memperbesar peluang bukan saja capital inflow namun juga influx of people masuk ke Papua. Disini, yang sudah jumlahnya sedikit dan merasa makin terdesak, orang Papua sadar akan masalah besar yang akan dialaminya ketika DOB langgeng terjadi. Kan begitu, singkatnya.

Ini makanya penolakan terjadi. Buka  orang papua takut perubahan atau menolak perubahan. Orang Papua sudah tahu pijakan hidupnya ini sudah dipaksakan untuk di lepas dan makin kabur arah dan tujuan kehidupan bersama dan bersatunya sehingga ada perasaan, mereka harus stop dan rethinking prioritas kolektif mereka. Mereka lebih tahu kebutuhan mereka bukan pemekaran.

Mengapa Jakarta(simbol Indonesia NKRI) merasa lebih tahu apa yang ada dalam benak dan pemikiran serta prioritas hidup orang papua? Ini namanya paksa tau atau orang Sorong bilang sok tau.

Kita memang ada istilah kepala suku. Benar. Namun, itu gelar di kasih untuk orang berwibawa yang hidup untuk kasih makan orang banyak. Bukan kepala suku pukul dada katakan dia kepala suku lalu bicara mewakili sukunya atau bahkan mengatasnamakan suku menyampaikan apa yang ia pribadi mau. Bukan yang menjadi keinginan dan kekuatiran sukunya yang sampaikan.

Juga, jabatan politik itu bukan langsung otomatis anda tokoh. Jabatan organisasi bukan berarti anda tokoh muda atau tokoh tua  Eh maaf tidak ada tokoh tua... yang ada tua adat😁 

Jadi saya pikir ada yg salah dalam attitude dan cara berpikir manusia modern Indonesia dan orang papua intelektual. 

Juga poin penting yang perlu saya tekankan begini. Politik itu alat atau tools untuk mendorong kemajuan society. Agar jangan ada yang kaya sekali bahkan keterlaluan dimana lebih banyak yang lapar bahkan untuk bekerja agar tidak laparpun tidak bisa gitu loh. Politik di pakai untuk mengatur kepentingan orang banyak. Bukan kepenting kelompok dan individu. Kalau tidak percaya buka buku dan baca ulang filosofi politik. 

Mengapa kita tidak boleh menerlantarkan kepentingan orang banyak? Karena mereka akan memberontak. Anda yang kaya bisa saja di usir dari tanah anda sendiri. Tra percaya? Lihat diktator-dikator yang adalah anak pribumipun harus mencari perlindungan di negara lain ketika terjadi revolusi.

Revolusi itu terjadi karena apa yang dialami mayoritas orang dalam society sama dan mereka jenuh dan marah dan gabung jurus serta kekuatan untuk melawan sistim yang ada. Cara yang ada tidak lagi di rasakan bersama sedang tidak menghidupkan. Ya, memang politikal intervensi atau antisipasi itu sering di aplikasikan untuk meredam dan memecahkan sebuah persatuan yang murni di bangun karena kerinduan akan perubahan. 

Ini makanya sistim yang di pakai adalah pencitraan dan memberi makan kepala-kepala. Tak heran orang-orang berlomba untuk menjadi kepala ini, ketua ini, pimpinan ini dan posisi-posisi penting lain karena hal ini mendorong mereka menjadi bagian pertama mata rantai ekonomi ataupun bagian penting yang perlu di kasih makan. Di kasih makan oleh sistem yang di kontrol oleh hanya segelentir penguasa agar tatanan yang ada terjaga dan kenyamanan mencetak harta dapat berlipat ganda. Kalau ada yang bilang, "yah itu realita bro" kepada saya, maka saya akan katakan selamat sudah. Anda su terhasut setan "ketua" atau kerasukan hantu kepala.

Sy ingin sekali protes dan sebut nama mereka yang saya kritik namun kasihan juga. Protes atau kritik itu dua arah atau pedang bermata dua.

Masih ada cara lain untuk mengadakan perubahan. Masalahnya kan hanya di bagian menginvestasikan waktu untuk berpikir keras menjawab masalah yang ada dan getting reward untuk solusi yang anda atau saya berikan untuk orang banyak tanpa harus jadi kepala atau ketua atau kepala ketua😆. Use your imagination to treat your reality in a different way.