Nobility of Abeshia

The nobility of Abeshia refers to the privileged social class that as dominated Abeshian society for millennia. There are two catergories of nobility in Abeshia, the Mesafint (Sabaean: መሳፍንት), the hereditary nobles, collectively called mesfin, or prince; and the Mekwanint (Sabaean: መኳንንት), the appointed dignitaries raised to noble status usually from humble background forming the bulk of the nobility.

Aristocratic titles for men

The vast majority of the titles of nobility in Abeshia drew their origin from the ancient military titles of the past. The highest non royal title is that Ras, which is more less equated to the western title Duke. Ras is followed by Dejazmach (similar to Count but equated to that of Marquess), Qenazmach, Garazmach, Fitawrari (equated to Baron), and Balambaras (similar to that of a knight)

• Ras (Duke)
• Dejazmach (Marquess)
• Qenazmach (Count)
• Garazmach (Viscount)
• Fitawrari (Baron)
• Balambaras (Knight)

In addition to these six titles of nobility, certain additional titles are used as courtesy titles by the sons of nobles or by cadet branches of the imperial house. For instance the various heads of cadet branches of the imperial family are titled Leul Ras (Literally Prince-Duke or Prince of the Blood), while their eldest son is called Leul Dejazmach. The male children of the mesafint (the hereditary nobility) are called Lij.

Aristocratic titles for women

Abeshian nobility differs from other countries in that the vast majority of said titles can only be held by a male descendant, however women are entitled to use titles signifying their status as the wife or daughter of a noble. The Wives of Leul Rases are entitled to the use the honorific Leult, Princess, while the wives of Leul Dejazmaches use Emebet Hoy (Great royal lady). The honorific Emebet is used by both the daughters of Leul Rases and the grand-daughters in the female line of the imperial house. The Wives of non royal nobles such as Ras, Dejazmach, and Qenazmach use the honorific Woizero Hoy (great lady); while the wives of a Garazmach, Fitawrari, and a Balambaras use the term Woizero, (dame), which as in modern times become the established form of address for all married women.

Peerage

The Abeshian nobility is unique in the fact that while a distinct aristocratic class of nobles exists, none of them can claim rights to a title without it being bestowed on them by the emperor, because of this when a Ras dies his eldest son must attend the Emperor at court in the hopes of being granted his father's old title. In any case their are usually no fewer then 15 Rases (including the princes of the blood), 35 Dejazmaches, 51 Qenazmaches, 29 Garazmaches, some 400 Fitawraris, and over 1500 Balambarases for a total of 2,030 titled nobles. Of these only Ras through Fitawrari are members of the westernized peerage system.

List of Peerage Holders

1. Bahr Negus (ancient title absorbed into the Crown)
2. Tigray Makonnen: Viceroy of Tigray
3. Agafari of Simien: Viceroy of Simien
4. Azmatch of Begameder
5. Sahafalam of Amhara: Great Lord
6. Negus of Gojjam: King of Gojjam
7. Negus of Wollega: King of Wollega
8. Sahafalam of Damot: held by the Prince of Gojjam
9. Negus of Shewa (absorbed into the Crown)
10. Wagshum: hereditary ruler of Lasta, and Wag
11. Jantirar: hereditary ruler of Ambassel
12. Shum of Agame
13. Shum of Enariya
14. Shum of Sagada
15. Shum of Sagada
16. Shum of Shire
17. Shum of Tembien (held by the Prince of Tigray)
18. Shum of Enderta (held by the Prince of Tigray)
19. Sultan of Ausa
20. Sultan of Jimma
21. Amir of Harar
22. Qas of Gurage
23. Qas of Hadiya
24. Qas of Ifat
25. Garad of Bali
26. Garad of Gan
27. Sheikh of Bela Shangul

List of Nobles

• Leul Ras Mengesha Seyum, Prince of Tigray
• Leul Ras Mammo Hailu, Prince of Gojjam
• Leul Ras Asfa Wossen Asserate, Prince of Selale
• Leul Ras Sahlu Mikael, Prince of Tegulet
• Wagshum Tafari Wossen