On the various uses and continuity of the title Wäyzäro in Ethiopian history

Abstract

The objective of this article is to carefully analyze and document the various uses, continuity and change as well as the eventual fate of the title Wäyzäro within the wider political, economic and social history of Ethiopia since the medieval times. Above all, this article explores how the function of this title in its wider sense has not been fully understood by neither Ethiopian nor foreign scholars. Based on both published and unpublished sources, this article questions and disproves the misconception that the title Wäyzäro in the past served solely for royal ladies, and shows instead that it was born by both female and male persons during different times and in different places. Additionally, this article draws upon the valuable living memories of Ethiopians from Wallo, Gojjam, Gondar and Tigray, and these accounts have been integrated into the source material.