Sebhat Aregawi

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Sebhat Aregawi (died 28 February 1914) was a Ras and governor of Agame, a region in eastern Tigray, Ethiopia. He ruled Agame from 1892 until his death in 1914. He had first been appointed governor of Agame in 1859, and the province was expanded to include Adigrat by Emperor Yohannes IV. In 1892 Menelik II gave him the title of Ras.

Family and reputation
Sebhat was the son of Dejazmach Aregawi Sabagadis and the grandson of the well-known governor Sabagadis Woldu. He was described as a clever and intelligent administrator, but not a great warrior.

Early conflicts and shifting loyalties
He initially challenged Ras Mangesha Yohannes after Yohannes IV’s death. He submitted to Mangesha in September 1889, but secretly preferred Menelik II. In a bid to make peace with Mangesha, he sent his son Dasta as a hostage in 1890; Dasta fled Adwa, and Sebhat refused to send him back, worsening tensions.

Death and legacy
In 1914, along with political intrigue involving Iyasu V and Gebre Selassie, Sebhat played a role in accusations against Gebre Selassie. After a confrontation near Adwa, Sebhat and two of his sons were assassinated at Zebewu, between Adwa and Adigrat.

Popular culture
Today, Sebhat Aregawi is remembered as a hero in eastern Tigray. The main hospital in Adigrat is named Adigrat Ras Sebhat Hospital in his honor.