Welcome to Imperial Ethiopia, official site of the Imperial Family of Ethiopia. Today, Africa's oldest royal dynasty is a point of reference for Africans everywhere, and especially for Ethiopians, in Ethiopia and around the world. In keeping with this unique nation's ancient dynastic traditions, the Imperial Crown Council, composed of the Imperial Family's princes, trusted advisors and leading clerics, is a very real link to Ethiopia's past and present.

Heirs of Solomon and Sheba

According to a very old tradition, the Ethiopian emperors were descended from Menelik, the son of Queen Makeda of Sheba (Sabae) by King Solomon. Recent generations of the Imperial Family are also descended from the Prophet Muhammad, but the prince who is crowned must profess the Ethiopian Orthodox faith. In Ethiopian law, the reigning Emperor designates an heir apparent who ascends the Throne by approval of the Crown Council. This aspect of Ethiopian dynastic succession is not unlike certain tribal succession laws of other dynasties of the region, such as the House of Sa'ud of Saudi Arabia. In keeping with the provisions of the Ethiopian Constitution enacted in 1955, the Crown Council administers the affairs of the Imperial Family, representing the Crown during an interregnum such as the present one.

A Modern Role

Emperor Amha Selassie I, son of Haile Selassie, died in the United States in 1997. He had formally reorganized the Crown Council several years earlier to perpetuate Ethiopia's Imperial traditions and to ensure continuation of his dynasty. Under the leadership of HIH Prince Ermias Sahle-Selassie Haile-Selassie, President, and HIH Prince Bekere Fikre-Selassie, Viceroy, the Crown Council sponsors activities in support of Ethiopian culture and promotes charitable and relief programs.

A Lasting Legacy

For centuries, Ethiopia has been a multicultural nation whose varied heritage is reflected in its Faiths, languages and ethnic customs. Traditionally, Ethiopia has been home to Christians, Muslims and Jews who usually lived in harmony side by side, while the green, yellow and red stripes of the Ethiopian flag have come to be identified with pan-African unity. Ethiopia's peoples were unified in peace under a Crown that resisted repeated attempts of domination by foreign powers. Transcending mere ethnic pride, their struggles embody a way of life that has endured countless centuries. And their story continues.

This Website

Imperial Ethiopia (www.imperialethiopia.org) is sponsored by the friends and supporters of the Imperial House of Ethiopia. This site has no political scope. Our main purpose is twofold. We wish to create a greater popular awareness of Ethiopia's imperial history and culture, and to lend tangible support to benefit the Ethiopian people through effective humanitarian, educational and relief initiatives.