Note 36 — Chapter VI · A VISIT TO RÁS MAKUNAN OF HARAR, 1893
Reading edition
The following titles were explained to me by an Abyssinian, and, though I cannot vouch for their accuracy of spelling, I jot them down:—
Negúsa negest, the Emperor; literally the “king of kings.”
Negús, King.
Rás-Bitódet and Rás, high titles ranking next to Negús.
Dejasmatch, General of Division.
Kanyasmatch, General of the Right.
Gerasmatch, General of the Left.
Fi Taurari, General of the Advance.
Balanbaras, Commandant of a fortress.
Turk Basha, General of Artillery.
Yeshi Alaka, Chief of a thousand.
The combined camp of a large Abyssinian army is so arranged that the Emperor and various kings occupy the central camp. In front is that of several Rás, Dejasmatch, and Taurari; to the right several Rás, Dejasmatch, and Kanyasmatch; to the left several Rás, Dejasmatch, and Gerasmatch.
Some idea of Rás Makunan’s importance as Governor of Harar may be gained from the fact that he has under him four Dejasmatch, eight Balanbaras, four Kanyasmatch, nine Gerasmatch, and five Fi Taurari.
Any of the kings has apparently a chance of becoming Emperor. The present Emperor, Menelek, is also King of Shoa.