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Empress Mentewab

Also known as: Empress Mentewab; primary name: Mentewab; other name: (Empress) Walatta Giorgis
Details: individual; royal/imperial; ruler; Ethiopian; Female
Life dates: 1706-1773
Biography: Born in Qwarar province to Dejazmatch Manbare of Dembyia and Wayzero Yenkay. Married Emperor Bakaffa (q.v.) on 6th September 1722. Crowned co ruler in 1730 when her son Iyasu II (q.v.) ascended to the throne after the death of his father Emperor Bakaffa. Mentewab enjoyed unprecedented power during this time. She was responsible for building several renowned buildings in her capital Gondar namely Fasil Gheddi, the royal palace and a church dedicated to Mary. She commissioned many works of art for the Ethiopian church including a processional cross in the collections of the British Museum. She was also known as devout Christian and is often referred to by the baptismal name Walatta Giorgis, Daughter of [Saint] George. After the death of her son and grandson she lived in seclusion at Qusquam outside Gondar.