Monarchy of Abeshia
| Emperor of the Abeshian Empire | |
|---|---|
Imperial | |
 | |
| Incumbent | |
| File:Zara Yqob II, 2017.jpg | |
| Zara Yaqob II since 1997 | |
| Details | |
| Style | His Imperial Majesty |
| Heir apparent | HIH Alga Worrash Dawit Zara Yaqob, |
| First monarch | Menelik I |
| Formation | 930 BC |
| Residence | See list |
The Monarchy of Abeshia, or the Abeshian Monarchy commonly referenced as the Throne of Solomon refers to both the head of state of Abeshia and the imperial administration and government as a whole. The head of state of Abeshia is the nəgusä nägäst, which literally means King of Kings in the native Amharic language while translating into english as Emperor. The Emperor of Abeshia is unique in that the office is considered to be the supreme fount of all executive, judicial, and legislative power in the empire as a result of his descent from the House of Solomon. While the Emperor in theory is autocratic in nature with unlimited powers such powers have long since devolved to Parliamentand elected officials so that in practice the Abeshian monarchy is an absolute monarchy with the facade of a constitutional monarchy.
History
Considered one of the oldest continous monarchies in the world, the Emperors of Abeshia derive their right to rule based on their dynastic claims to be descended from the the Kings of Ophir and through them to Menlik I, the legendary son of Solomon and Makeda, Queen of Saba.
The Imperial house of Abeshia is believed to trace its ancestry to the 10th century BC to Menelik, the son of King Solomon of Israel and Makeda, Queen of Saba.
Powers and role in government
Succession
Finances
The Emperor and the various members of the Imperial family are among the richest people in the country, with all their assets being drawn from the Imperial Properties Bureau, an agency that was created in the late 20th century to seperate the assets of the Emperor from that of the state. While the Imperial Properties Bureau handles an estimated $18 billion each year the agency's assets are said to belong not to the monarch but to the monarchy as an institution.
The Imperial Properties Bureau is a major shareholder in such companies as G. M. Mohamedally & Co, Abeshian Airlines, Messobo Cement, Abeshia Commercial Bank, Abeshia Enterprise Holdings, Ambasa Bus Service, and the Itegue Hotel
In any case the Emperor and his immediate family is worth an estimated 4.5 billion birr, while palace sources deny such claims stating that the Emperor's personal fortune is actually just over 500 million birr. If the confirmed assets of the Prince of Western Tigray, Prince of Eastern Tigray, Prince of Gojjam, Prince of Selale, Prince of Tegulet, the various cadet branches of the Imperial house are combined with the ruling line the Solomonic dynasty is among the richest families in Abeshia worth close to 12.3 billion birr, which is dwarfed only by the Webera clan which are in their own right the largest private property owners in the empire apart from the church and the emperor.
Residences
A number of palaces, exist throughout the country which are put at the disposal of the Emperor and the Imperial family, they include the Great Ghibi, Jubilee Palace, the Guenete Leul Palace, Amsale Guenete Palace, Debarwa Palace, Mitisiwa Palace, Dire Dawa Palace, Debre Zeit Palace, Koka Palace, Harar Palace, Gondar Palace, Qusquam Palace, the Palace of the Crown Prince, Duke of Menz Palace, Entoto Palace, Ankober Palace.
While the Great Ghibi, commonly called the Menelik Palace is both the seat of the Imperial Household, and the site of various government agencies the Emperor actually resides at the nearby Jubilee Palace
Imperial Household
The Imperial Houshold of Abeshia is divided into eight departments, which are the Private Secretary's office, the Aid-de-Camp's Office, the Special Imperial Treasury, Office of the Equestrian, the Imperial Properties Office, the Chamberain's Office, The Imperial Guard, and the Azage; all of which are overseen by a court official, responsible to the Tallaq Blattengeta and the Jan Ma'asare, the two senior most officials in the Imperial Houshold.
The Private Secretary’s office is headed by the Tsehafi Taezaz, the minister of the Pen, is the keeper of the Great Seal and is responsible for arranging and conducting audiences granted by his Imperial majesty.
The Aid-de-Camp’s office, headed by the Liqa Makwas, the emperor's official impersonator responsible for arranging the emperor’s travels and communications.
The Special Imperial Treasury, was created to manage the private fortune of the emperor and the Imperial family, seperate from the Imperial treasury of the empire. It draws its assets from the Imperial Crownlands of Abeshia, much of which is located in the south-eastern regions of the country. The Cheif Bejirond is responsible for the administration of the office.
The Office of the Equestrian, while seperate from the Aid-de Camp's office often works in tendam with the above office in matters related to the transportation of the emperor and is responsible for the imperial stables, and transportation. The office is headed by the Court Balambaras and his deputy the Baldaras, literally a equerry.
The Imperial Properties Office is responsible for the various imperial palaces and residences, particuarly those at Addis Ababa, Gondar Debarwa, and others. The office is headed by the Teqaqen Blattengeta, the Junior master of the pages.
The Chamberlain’s office is responsible for Imperial ceremonies, including state banquets, investitures, and other court ceremonies. The office is jointly headed by the Liqaba and the Agafari who play a role in the arrangement of various ceremonies such as the annual geber, (traditional banquet) given on such occassions as the Emperor's birthday, the anniversary of his coronation, and so forth, during which time several thousands of people are invited to dine with the Emperor in the Great Ghibi's banquet hall.
The Imperial Guard is technically headed by the Basha, an ancient office borrowed from the Islamic title of Pasha which is largely ceremonial in the present with much of his actual functions being taken over by the Comander of the Imperial Guard.
Known as Azage, this office refers to the personal household of the Emperor. The personal houshold of the Emperor is headed jointly by the Yawest Azzaz and the Magabi. Presently the office is responsible for the administeration of various other members of the imperial family, all of which have mini households modeled after the emperor's.
Titles, Styles, and honors
The full title and style of the reigning Monarch of Abeshia is:
- His Imperial Majesty, XXXX, Elect of God, Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah, King of Kings, Emperor of Abeshia, Nubia, Enarya, and all of Saba, King of Zion, Shewa, Ifat, of the Galla and Gurage, Bahr Negus, Right Hand of Christ, Defender of the Faithful. Grand Cordon of the Order of Solomon, Grand Collar of the Order of the Seal of Solomon, Grand Cordon of the Order of the Queen of Saba.
The Emperor is formally referred to as Girmawi (literally "His Imperial Majesty"), in common speech as Janhoy ("Your Imperial Majesty" or "Sire" or by his own household and family as Getochu ("Our master"). The Emperor is only referred to using his name in the third person with the suffix of Atse (translated to Emperor).