![]() However in order to enhance his position at the Imperial court, he divorced his wife and married Woizero Amlesu Araya, daughter of Ras Araya Dimtsu, the powerful and much respected uncle of Emperor Yohannes IV. He had three children by his first wife Wozero B'tweta. In spite of his humble backgrounds, Alulua succeeded in climbing the ladder of the feudal hierarchy. Erlich records an oral tradition that the young Alula distinguished himself by being the one who captured Tekle Giyorgis in the battle where Emperor Yohannes crushed his opponent (11 July 1871). The house of Ras Alula at Asmara, in present-day EritreaĪt first Alula attached himself to the distinguished Ras Araya Dimtsu, hereditary chief of Enderta who was lord of the land his father farmed before long he gained the attention of Ras Araya's successful nephew, Dejazmach Kassa Mercha (the future emperor Yohannes IV), who made him his elfegn kalkay ("chamberlain and doorkeeper"). ![]() "Thereafter," concludes Erlich, "his friends and the people of Mannawe nicknamed him Ras Alula." "To the Castle of Ras Alula Wadi Qubi," they mockingly replied. ![]() ![]() Haggai Erlich relates a story about Alula's childhood - "well known throughout Tigray": a group of people carrying baskets of bread to a wedding ceremony were stopped by a group of children led by the future Ras, who demanded to know where they were going. Alula was born in Mennawe, a village in Tembien, 15 miles south of Abiy Addi, the son of Engda Eqube, a farmer of modest origins. ![]()
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