Birru Goshu

Dejazmach Birru Goshu
Governor of much of Gojjam
Reign	???-1854
Predecessor	Goshu Zewde
Successor	Tedla Gwalu
Born	~1814
Spouse	Woizero Yawubdar
Father	Dejazmach Goshu Zewde
Religion	Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo

Dejazmach Birru Goshu (1814-1868?) of Gojjam was a nobleman of 19th century Ethiopia during the Zemene Mesafint. He was the governor of most of Gojjam until his defeat in battle of Amba Jebelli against Kassa Hailu. He was a bastard of mighty Goshu Zewde.

Appearance and personality

The French traveler Arnaud d'Abbadie gives a long description of the appearance and character of Birru Goshu:

He appeared to be around twenty-five years old. Tall in stature, he had protruding heels and long feet, awkwardly shaped and clumsily attached to somewhat thin legs. His upper body was well-built, without being corpulent, and his shoulder muscles indicated strength. His arms, however, were too long and awkward in their movements, though his hands, despite being somewhat large, were beautiful and elegant. He had an oval face, a sparse black beard, a large mouth, and magnificent teeth. His nose was aquiline, broad at the base, with mobile nostrils; his eyes were lively, large, and set deep beneath brows crowned by thick eyebrows. His forehead was broad but slightly receding, and he was already beginning to lose some hair. His long, strong neck was so flexible that he could nearly look over his own back, which, combined with the smallness of his head and the sharpness of his features, sometimes gave him the appearance of a bird of prey.

Captivity

However, historian Harold G. Marcus states that in the battle of Amba Jebelli Kassa defeated five Dejazmachs, and that Birru was not killed in this battle, but escaped and was captured in May 1854, to remain in captivity for the next 14 years.